Dear Community!
The earth turns fast and for software developers it sometimes spins even faster! Therefore necessary changes to our core technologies may be necessary from time to time. For Big Farm this means that we have to go from Flash to the more modern and safer standard HTML5.
Even though Flash was one of the major multimedia software platforms for ages, the developers behind Flash will stop supporting and slowly abandon it by the end of 2020. Flash was what made the internet our favorite playground for ages, but it will not get security updates in the future. So, the big browsers will phase out their support for Flash and we need to make Big Farm available without it. Flash is necessary for the Big Farm game client to process all the assets, graphics and animations you experience while playing the game.
Due to the end of Flash development in the future, we’ll also shift away from it and focus on a more common technology with HTML5. As already promised in the past, the HTML5 build of Big Farm will allow us to release a Flash-free version of the game. Please bear in mind that the game itself will not change with this technology related switch and will stay exactly the same as it is now.
Some of you may probably ask what’s different comparing Flash to HTML5. The most important difference is that Flash is a browser plugin, which is mandatory to be installed in order to play Big Farm on web. Without the plugin, the game won’t even launch and you wouldn’t be able to log into your account. As a software company - speaking about Goodgame Studios - Flash is another external dependency we have to maintain during game development.
Due to moving from Flash to HTML5, we are able to eliminate the topics mentioned above: the game will run in your web browser independently and without any plugin required.
The HTML5 beta test of Big Farm will start very soon on selected servers and over time we’ll activate the HTML5 version on more and more instances. For the time being we’ll start with our Polish server on April 19th and will keep you updated on the instances to follow after.
This staggered release is necessary in order to ensure the game’s quality is maintained on the maximum number of servers. We don’t want to release the HTML5 beta version on all servers simultaneously to avoid any global issues. Therefore, we’re going instance by instance and you will able to play both Flash and HTML5 versions at the same time. Except being able to switch from Flash to HTML5 and vice versa, no additional changes will apply to our game service.
While the HTML5 version is in beta testing, you may encounter some minor issues, but overall the game will already be stable on the recommended browsers, such as Google Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge. Anyway, there are still a couple of things to improve and we’ll polish the HTML5 to run as smoothly as the Flash game within the next couple of weeks.
Converting a game like Big Farm from Flash to HTML5 is an ambitious project, but we don’t want to stop releasing new features for the Flash version and therefore, we’ll support both versions for at least a few more weeks until HTML5 will be available for everyone and Flash won’t be necessary anymore.
Now, let’s actually talk about how to play the HTML5 beta!
First, please be aware that the HTML5 beta version of Big Farm was developed to perform best on specific browsers and therefore we highly recommend using Google Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge (Windows 10). We decided to focus on those well-known browsers first, but later on the HTML5 version will most likely work equally well on all common browsers out there.
As soon as your server is selected for the HTML5 beta you’ll receive a pop-up message right after logging into the game, where you can switch from Flash to HTML5 and vice versa.
As soon as you switch over to the HTML5 version, you can either close the pop-up message or you can leave it and switch back to Flash at any given time. In addition, the pop-up message will appear again every time you reload the game and you’ll be able to switch again.
Switching from HTML5 to Flash and vice versa will help you and also our team, since you’re able to check if a possible bug or issue is active in both versions or HTML5/Flash only.
In the meantime we’ll keep working on both game versions and adding new features, as well as polish the HTML5 version until it’s out of beta and live for all of you. To assure the quality of Big Farm, we’d appreciate if you still could provide feedback on any Flash issues, topics or bugs you may encounter.
For feedback about the HTML5 version, including bugs or any other issues, please use this thread.
We thank you very much for your support of Big Farm and let’s build an amazing HTML5 game version together!
Cheers,
Your Big Farm Team
Comments
Why should I try out the HTML5 version?
HTML5 is the future of browser gaming. Flash will unfortunately no longer be supported in the future, and so to ensure you still have access to the game we have decided to provide you with an HTML5 option in advance of the shutdown of Flash. This will give us plenty of time to test the new HTML5 version of the game and make sure it works optimally, while also giving you a chance to try out the new technology and see why it provides no less an experience than the Flash version of the game.
How can I participate in the Big Farm HTML5 beta?
HTML5 will be rolled out across all servers in the coming weeks and months. You will be able to switch between the HTML5 version and Flash version of the game at will for a while until the final and full release of the HTML5 version. We will provide a list of dates and servers on which HTML5 will be active in our forums.
Which servers/languages will participate in the Big Farm HTML5 beta?
At first only a few servers will have access to the HTML5 version, but we plan to roll out the new client on all servers eventually. You can check out a list of when your server will be added to the beta test in our forums when it becomes available.
When will my server be activated for the Big Farm HTML5 beta?
Please check the corresponding thread in your forum. The information for your server will be available there.
Can I switch between HTML5 and Flash?
Switching between the two versions during the beta test couldn’t be easier! A banner will appear at the top of your screen when you visit the usual login page. A button on the banner will allow you to swap at will between the older Flash and the newer HTML5. You can get rid of this banner with the red cross button in the corner but don’t worry, it will appear again the next time you login to allow you to change whenever you like.
I found a bug in the HTML5 version! How can I submit it?
In the early days bugs can be expected, the HTML5 version is still new and we fully expect there will be some differences and issues. It would help us greatly for those of you testing HTML5 if you could report a bug in the HTML5 version that does not exist in the Flash version. Our support team is not dealing with HTML5 issues due to the specialized nature of these problems. Please DO NOT SEND TICKETS TO SUPPORT IN REGARD TO HTML5! Instead we will post a thread on the forums where you can report bugs. It is important to report them in this thread and not to the support team, as the support team cannot assist with HTML5 exclusive issues.
Browser
Which browsers are recommended for HTML5?
HTML5 is a technology that should work well in any supported browser you choose. If you are not sure if your browser is supports HTML5 please check the software developer’s website for more details. While you should be able to use any browser, we recommend using the most up-to-date version of either Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge. The game is targeted to work best on these platforms and they often provide the best results. For more details on our recommended browsers please see here.
Where can I get Google Chrome from?
You can easily download Google Chrome from their website here. After clicking “Download Chrome” a new window will pop up, where you´ll have to confirm the download by clicking “Accept and Install”. Before this step please decide if you would like to set Google Chrome as your default browser and if you want to allow the browser to automatically send usage statistics and crash reports to Google, then select the relevant options as they appear. An install file will be downloaded and the installation will start right away if you are performing this with Internet Explorer (when using Firefox, a bar with the downloaded file will appear at the bottom of the page, which you will need to double-click and then accept the installation by selecting “Run”).
Where can I get Firefox from?
In order to install Mozilla Firefox please visit their website here. Select “Download Now” and the file will be downloaded to your computer. A new window will pop-up on the bottom of the page asking you how to proceed with the downloaded file. Choose “Run” and Mozilla Firefox will be installed (when using Google Chrome there a bar with the downloaded file will appear at the bottom of the page, which you will need to double-click and then accept the installation by selecting “Run”).
Where can I get Microsoft Edge from?
Microsoft Edge is pre-installed on computers running with Windows 10. If you have a computer with the Windows 10 operating system this will already be installed and should update with your regular Windows updates. If you do not have Windows 10 installed on your system we recommend either Firefox or Chrome for the best performance.
I changed my browser, but I can’t find the game anymore! What do I do?
Don´t worry, your cows are safe! If you have changed the browser you are using for Big Farm, your bookmarks from the old browser are not automatically transferred and your simple method of connecting to the game might be lost at first. But you can easily find the game by visiting the website http://www.bigfarm.goodgamestudios.com/ and saving it as a bookmark (see the below question for more details on how to do this).
How do I set a browser bookmark?
Google Chrome/Mozilla Firefox/Microsoft Edge:
I’m playing with the Flash standalone player! How can I play the Big Farm HTML5 beta now?
If you have been playing with the standalone Flash player (a tip we provided last year to help with performance issues) sadly it will no longer allow you to play the HTML5 version. While the Flash version is available it will still be playable in the standalone Flash browser for now but once the full switch to HTML5 comes this will no longer be a valid option. Switching between HTML5 and Flash may also cause some odd results and is not recommended. That being said, HTML5 is a very versatile and modern technology with compatibility on many devices and browsers and so you should now have a larger range of options if your usual browser doesn’t seem to be working well for you.
General
What will happen with my account?
Nothing! That is, we won’t be making any changes to your account and you can still access the game with your old account and continue to play with that account in the HTML5 version. It couldn’t be easier!
Will my login details still work?
Your login details will still be valid and you can log in as usual. Please make sure to have your password available and register your email address by collecting the in-game welcome gift as this will ensure you are always able to change your password without our assistance if you need to do so.
What will happen to my game progress?
Your farm will remain in the pristine condition you remember it (so long as you left it in a pristine condition!). Nothing will change here and progress will not be lost.
I forgot my password! How can I login again?
If you have forgotten your password and registered with an email address, you can easily retrieve a new password through the “Forgot password?” icon on the login page. Just click on it and a new box will appear asking for your registered email address. Type it in, click the green button and you will be sent an email with instructions on changing your password. Please also check your spam folder since sometimes our emails can get caught in there. If you didn't register with an email address, please contact our support with your correct username and a valid email address we can contact you on. You can find our support here.
I don’t know my account login details! What can I do now?
If you can´t remember your login details, don´t panic! If you registered your account with an email address, you can retrieve your password through the “Forgot password?” button. The email you receive will also clearly display your username. You can also check other emails we have sent you, such as the email with the welcome gift for registering for the game. It is important that you recall your login details as our support team cannot help unless an account can be located, so please ensure you write your details down somewhere safe for your reference.
My account is blocked/banned! What can I do?
If your account has been blocked or banned, indicated by a message appearing stating as such when you attempt to login, you can contact our support department for more information and assistance by clicking here.
How can I play Big Farm?
It’s as simple as it ever was! Just head over to our login page. If you do not already have an account (what are you waiting for?!) then you can register a new one. If you have an account already, simply login as you always would. With the introduction of HTML5 you will be able to play the game in most modern browsers and with most modern devices that support HTML5, so try it out and play your way!
Can I play Big Farm on my mobile device?
Aside from our mobile version of the game, Big Farm: Mobile Harvest, the new HTML5 version of the game is playable on regular mobile browsers. This was not previously possible as it required Flash and therefore a special browser with a Flash plugin to play the game on a mobile device, but with the new HTML5 version this should be a thing of the past! The game is still targeted at desktop PC devices and any errors resulting from playing on a mobile device cannot be accounted for, but the possibility should be available to try playing the game on your mobile so that you can now be on the go and still in the game!