Part III
`Expanding Your
`Reach
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`Supercell
`Exhibit 1019
`Page 153
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`

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`In this part, you move on from the fundamen-
`
`tals of FarmVille to more advanced topics that
`interest invested players. We discuss the levels of
`FarmVille and some common methods used for lev-
`eling up quickly. Then we cover storage facilities
`and animal housing, both of which are useful to
`farmers who need more room on their farms. This
`part ends with a chapter on limited-edition items
`and special events in FarmVille. We tell you how
`you can participate in these special events as well
`as fi nd out the secrets of FarmVille’s mystery items,
`including Mystery Eggs, Boxes, Games, and Gifts.
`
`
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`Supercell
`Exhibit 1019
`Page 154
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`

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`8
`Reaching New FarmVille Levels
`
`In This Chapter
`▶ Understanding experience points
`▶ Discovering how levels work in FarmVille
`▶ Using common methods for leveling up quickly
`
`What good is building an awesome farm if no one knows just how
`
`awesome a farmer you are? Sure, your neighbors can look at
`your accumulated virtual stuff and see that you’ve got mad farming skills.
`Sometimes, though, you want a single number to quantify just how much
`better your farm is than everyone else’s.
`
`Enter experience points and levels, FarmVille’s way of measuring your
`in-game progress. Pretty much every action you take in FarmVille
`earns you experience points, which in turn earn you new
`levels, which in turn unlock new items and gameplay
`features and prove that you are better than all your
`friends (at FarmVille, at least).
`
`This chapter tells you everything you need to know
`about FarmVille’s experience and leveling systems
`and how they work. It also shows you some ways to
`exploit these systems to gain new levels as quickly
`as possible, with a minimum of all that pesky farming.
`Hey, no one said virtual farming was a strictly
`honorable profession.
`
`Understanding Levels
`
`Every new farmer starts out at level 1 (a “Field Hand” in the game’s
`parlance), but with a little hard work (and tons of clicking) you, too, can
`reach the elite FarmVille levels reserved for veteran farmers. To attain such
`status, you need do only one thing: Earn experience points. Lots of them.
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1019
`Page 155
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`

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`136 Part III: Expanding Your Reach
`
`What are experience points (XP)?
`Experience points, also known as XP, are a numerical measurement of your
`progress in FarmVille. Unlike in-game currency such as Farm Cash and Coins,
`experience points can be gained but not spent. This means that XP is the
`best method for telling, at a glance, just how much a farmer has actually done
`in the game. When you reach certain XP targets, FarmVille grants you a new
`level. (See Table 8-1 and the XP requirements discussion later in the chapter.)
`
` The total number of XP you’ve earned so far is displayed as a white number
`in your XP status bar, located centrally in the top row of the FarmVille play
`area. The white bar behind this number shows how close you are to reaching
`the next level, and the accompanying number inside the gold star shows your
`current level.
`
` You can compare your XP and level to that of your neighbors by looking at
`the similar numbers listed along with their name and picture on your neighbor
`bar at the bottom of the play area. (See Chapter 4 for more on interacting
`with neighbors.)
`
`How to Earn XP
`You can earn XP for everything from working your farm and buying items
`from the market to helping out your neighbors, selling goods, or clicking
`bonus links on a Facebook news feed.
`
`Here’s a detailed list of all the ways you can gain XP in FarmVille, and how
`much you can expect from each action.
`
`✓ Farming:
`• Plowing a plot of land: 1 XP
`• Planting seeds: 1–3 XP (depending on the seed)
` For more on maximizing your rate of XP gain through crops, see
`the section on maximizing profits in Chapter 6.
`• Harvesting premium crops: 1–8 XP
` Although harvesting normal crops doesn’t earn any XP, after a
`crop has been mastered, it will grant up to 8 XP per plot harvested.
`(See Chapter 11 for more on mastering crops and the benefits
`associated with it.)
`• Harvesting fertilized crops: 1 XP
` Crops can be fertilized by a neighbor or a Fertilize All item. For
`more on fertilizing crops, see Chapter 4.
`
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`Supercell
`Exhibit 1019
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`Chapter 8: Reaching New FarmVille Levels
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`137
`
`• Collecting from your horse stable: 100 XP
`Note that you receive this XP bonus only as an occasional gift for
`collecting from a stable. For more on building and maintaining
`horse stables and other buildings, see Chapter 9.
`✓ Buying items:
`• Buildings: Up to 50,000 XP
`• Decorations: Up to 15,000 XP
`• Animals: Up to 10,000 XP
`• Vehicles: Up to 5,000 XP
`• Pets: 50–500 XP
`• Trees: Up to 332 XP
`• Limited Edition Theme Items = 0–3,500 XP
`• Crafting a good in a crafting building: 50 XP
`For more on crafting and crafting buildings, see Chapter 7.
` For more on which items provide the most XP bang for the buck, see the
`Big Spender leveling method discussed later in this chapter.
`✓ Helping neighbors:
`• Fertilizing or unwithering neighbors’ crops or plowing neighbors’
`plots: 1 XP
`Note that you can perform these combined only five times per
`neighbor per day. (For more on visiting and helping neighbors’
`farms, see Chapter 4.)
`• Feeding neighbors’ chicken coops: 10 XP
`Note that you can feed each neighbor’s chicken coop only once
`a day.
`✓ Earning XP as rewards:
`• Completing a collection set: 250 XP
`For more on collections, see Chapter 11.
`• Completing a co-op farming challenge: 260–1035 XP
`For more on co-op farming, see Chapter 12.
`• Mastering crops: 25–250 XP
`Level 1 mastery is worth 25 XP, level 2 mastery 50 XP, and level 3
`250 XP. For more on mastering crops, see Chapter 11.
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`Supercell
`Exhibit 1019
`Page 157
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`138 Part III: Expanding Your Reach
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`
`
`
`
`• Earning ribbons: 10–1,000 XP
` This includes 10–50 XP for a yellow ribbon, 20–50 XP for a white
`ribbon, 50–100 XP for a red ribbon, and 100–1,000 XP for a blue
`ribbon. For more on earning ribbons, see Chapter 11.
`• Receiving XP in gifts: 20–1,520 XP
` This includes 20 XP bonuses found in mystery gifts, up to 500 XP
`bonuses found in mystery eggs (shown in Figure 8-1) and bonuses
`of up to 2,000 XP found in mystery boxes. For more on giving and
`receiving gifts, see Chapter 4.
`
`Figure 8-1: An example of an XP bonus
`gained from a mystery egg.
`
`What are levels?
` In FarmVille, levels are simply the game’s way of acknowledging when you
`attain certain amounts of experience points. Each level, starting with the
`beginning level 1 (Farm Hand), is noted with a number and a unique name.
`Your current level is always displayed within the gold star in the middle of
`the top row of the FarmVille play area, next to your experience points.
`
`When you reach a new level, the game informs you with a pop-up notification
`like the one shown in Figure 8-2. Click the Share button to bring up the
`Facebook news post menu and share your accomplishment with your
`Facebook friends, or click Cancel to get back to your farm.
`
`FarmVille’s leveling system currently maxes out at levels 999, although this
`wasn’t always the case, as you can read in the “Reaching the highest levels”
`sidebar. Note that you can continue playing FarmVille and gaining XP after
`reaching level 999, but your level will no longer increase.
`
`
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`Supercell
`Exhibit 1019
`Page 158
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`

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` Chapter 8: Reaching New FarmVille Levels
`
`139
`
`Reaching the highest levels
`When FarmVille was first released, farmers
`level caps from 70 to 90. Just a few weeks
`couldn’t advance past level 70. Farmers who
`later, Zynga increased the cap to level 100 and
`reached this highest level continued to accu-
`then increased it further, finally settling on the
`mulate XP but didn’t have any new levels to
`current cap of 999. The new level caps also
`show for it. As more and more diligent farmers
`brought new incentives for high-level players,
`reached level 70, many started demanding a
`including exclusive crops, items, and gifts that
`more expansive level system to recognize their
`can be unlocked only at higher levels (see Table
`continued progress.
`8-2, later in this chapter, for a list of what gifts
`you unlock at each level).
`FarmVille maker Zynga finally expanded the
`leveling system a bit in June 2010, raising the
`
`Figure 8-2: A level up notification.
`
`Unlocking new items and features by leveling up
`Earning new levels isn’t just about vanity, though. Many new levels come
`with the keys to previously locked parts of the FarmVille experience,
`including new items for purchase and gifting and even previously inaccessible
`gameplay features.
`
`We lay out these specific rewards, along with the XP and level requirements
`to obtain them, in Tables 8-1 and 8-2. Note that Zynga occasionally tweaks the
`XP requirements for each level and the unlock schedule for certain items, so
`this list might not be entirely accurate in the future.
`
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`Supercell
`Exhibit 1019
`Page 159
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`

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`140 Part III: Expanding Your Reach
`
`Table 8-1
`
`Total XP
`Needed
`0
`15
`
`30
`
`70
`
`140
`
`250
`
`Level Name
`
`Field Hand
`Kinderfarmer
`
`Amateur
`Farmer
`
`Able Farmer
`
`Handy
`Farmer
`
`Nimble
`Farmer
`
`400
`
`Savvy Farmer
`
`600
`
`Fancy Farmer
`
`Level
`
`1
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5
`
`6
`
`7
`
`8
`
`9
`
`Level XP Requirements and Unlocked
`Features for Levels 1–40
`Buyable Items
`Giftable
`Items
`
`Gameplay
`Features
`
`See Chapter 3
`Plum Tree, Hay
`Bale
`Barrel, Colored
`Hay Bales
`
`Squash and
`Lilac Seeds,
`Chickens, Peach
`Trees, Rest
`Tent, Crate
`Pumpkin Seeds,
`White and
`Brown Stools
`Artichoke and
`Spinach Seeds,
`Mailbox
`
`Rice Seeds,
`Sheep, Lemon
`Tree, Butter
`Churn, Well
`Raspberry and
`Daffodil Seeds,
`Wood Pile, Tool
`Shed
`Cotton Seeds,
`Bike, Wagon
`Cranberry and
`Chickpea*
`Seeds, Lime
`Tree, Fruit
`Stand, Wood
`Fence, Picnic
`Set
`Bell Pepper and
`Rhubarb Seeds,
`Stone Mailbox
`
`Plum Tree
`
`Fig Tree,
`Green Hay
`Bale
`Chicken,
`Peach Tree
`
`Avocado
`Trees
`
`Sheep,
`Lemon Tree
`
`Apricot Tree
`
`Pig, Lime
`Tree
`
`Grapefruit
`Tree
`
`Fertilize
`neighbors’
`farms (See
`Chapter 4)
`
`Storage
`features
`(see
`Chapter 9)
`Sell items
`(see
`Chapter 3)
`
`Crop
`Mastery
`and
`Collections
`(see
`Chapter 11)
`
`850
`
`10
`
`1,150
`
`Sophisticated
`Farmer
`Splendid
`Farmer
`
`11
`
`1,500
`
`Farming
`Magician
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1019
`Page 160
`
`

`

` Chapter 8: Reaching New FarmVille Levels
`
`141
`
`Level
`
`12
`
`Total XP
`Needed
`1,900
`
`13
`
`2,400
`
`14
`
`3,000
`
`15
`
`3,700
`
`16
`
`17
`
`18
`
`19
`
`4,500
`
`5,400
`
`6,400
`
`7,500
`
`20
`
`8,700
`
`21
`
`10,000
`
`Level Name
`
`Buyable Items
`
`Farming
`Wizard
`
`Pepper Seeds,
`Wheelbarrow,
`Red and Pink
`Tractors
`Jolly Rancher Morning Glory
`Seeds, Grain
`Silo, Pink Fence,
`Wood Bench,
`Harvester
`Aloe Vera
`Seeds, Black,
`Blue, and Green
`Fences, Seeder
`Pineapple and
`Red Tulip Seeds,
`Workshop,
`Covered Wagon
`Pattypan
`Squash Seeds,
`Lil Red Wagon
`Blueberry
`Seeds, BBQ
`Watermelon
`Seeds, Hay
`Wagon
`Grape Seeds;
`Normal, Black
`and Pink
`Cottages; Bird
`House; Hedge
`Tomato and Pink
`Rose Seeds,
`General Store,
`Hedge Arch,
`Barrel Wagon
`Potato and Rye
`Seeds, Sandbox,
`Lawnmower
`
`Produce
`Professional
`
`Professor of
`Agriculture
`
`Hot Shot
`Farmer
`
`Super
`Shoveler
`Super
`Grower
`
`Professional
`Plower
`
`Green Giant
`
`Rockstar
`Farmer
`
`Giftable
`Items
`Rabbit
`
`Gameplay
`Features
`
`Banana Tree
`
`Duck
`
`Passion Fruit
`Tree
`Goat
`
`Date Tree
`
`Horse
`
`Co-op
`farming
`jobs (see
`Chapter 11)
`
`(continued)
`
`
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`Supercell
`Exhibit 1019
`Page 161
`
`

`

`142 Part III: Expanding Your Reach
`
`Table 8-1 (continued)
`Level
`Total XP
`Level Name
`Needed
`11,500
`
`22
`
`Barnyard
`Behemoth
`
`23
`
`24
`
`25
`
`26
`
`27
`
`13,500
`
`16,000
`
`19,000
`
`Magnificent
`Farmer
`Cream of the
`Crop
`
`Sensational
`Sower
`
`22,500
`
`Sultan of Soil
`
`26,500
`
`Thrill of the
`Till
`
`28
`
`31,000
`
`Master of
`Pasture
`
`29
`
`30
`
`31
`
`32
`
`36,000
`
`42,000
`
`49,000
`
`57,000
`
`Sensation
`of the
`Plantation
`Lord of the
`Plow
`
`Bastillion of
`the Barn
`
`Ace of
`Acreage
`
`Buyable Items
`
`Carrot Seeds,
`Baby Bunny
`Rescue,
`Windmill, Duck
`Topiary, Wagon
`Wheel, Axe and
`Block
`Coffee Seeds,
`Water Pump
`Corn Seeds,
`Log Cabin,
`Telephone Pole
`Sunflower
`Seeds, Elephant
`Topiary, Hedge
`Gate, Light Post
`
`Ghost Chili
`Seeds, Farm
`House
`Cabbage and
`Zucchini*
`Seeds, Iron
`Bench
`Green Tea
`and Gladiolus*
`Seeds, Goose
`Topiary
`White Grape
`and Blackberry
`Seeds, Estate
`Red Wheat and
`Lavender Seeds,
`Greenhouse
`Sugar Cane
`Seeds, Lodge,
`Combine
`Pea Seeds
`
`Giftable
`Items
`
`Gameplay
`Features
`
`Pomegranate
`Tree
`
`Build
`Crafting
`Buildings
`(see
`Chapter 7)
`
`Olive Tree
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1019
`Page 162
`
`

`

` Chapter 8: Reaching New FarmVille Levels
`
`143
`
`Level Name
`
`Buyable Items
`
`Giftable
`Items
`
`Gameplay
`Features
`
`Total XP
`Needed
`65,000
`
`74,000
`
`83,000
`
`Livestock
`Lord
`Practiced
`Farmer
`Skilled
`Farmer
`
`Yellow Melon
`Seeds
`Onion Seeds,
`Villa
`Broccoli and
`Lily Seeds,
`Saddleback Pig,
`Male Ostrich
`Topiary
`Acorn Squash
`Seeds
`Asparagus
`Seeds
`Purple Poppy
`Seeds
`Elderberry
`Seeds
`Purple Pod Pea*
`Seeds, Buffalo
`Topiary
`
`Mango Tree
`
`93,000
`
`103,000
`
`113,000
`
`Green Ribbon
`Farmer
`Clever
`Farmer
`Great Farmer
`
`123,000
`
`Smart Farmer
`
`133,000
`
`Model Farmer
`
`Level
`
`33
`
`34
`
`35
`
`36
`
`37
`
`38
`
`39
`
`40
`
`After level 40, the rate of newly unlocked items and gifts slows down a bit. New
`purchasable items and gifts unlocked at higher levels are shown in Table 8-2.
`
` Having a Villa on your farm is seen by many FarmVille players as a sign of
`high status. A Villa demonstrates that you’ve not only put in the time and
`effort to reach the reasonably lofty level 34, but also managed to save up the
`1,000,000 coin asking price. Good job!
`
`Table 8-2
`Level
`42
`43
`44
`45
`48
`
`Items Unlocked at Higher Levels
`Buyable Items
`Giftable Items
`Ginger Seeds
`Cucumber Seeds
`Columbine Seeds
`Iris Seeds, Wind Turbine
`Basil Seeds
`
`(continued)
`
`
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`Supercell
`Exhibit 1019
`Page 163
`
`

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`144 Part III: Expanding Your Reach
`
`Table 8-2 (continued)
`Level
`Buyable Items
`50
`Lemon Balm Seeds
`52
`Square Melon Seeds
`53
`Oat Seeds
`54
`Posole Corn Seeds
`55
`Arapawa Goat
`57
`Heirloom Carrot* Seeds
`59
`Orange Daisy Seeds
`60
`Bamboo Seeds
`63
`Carnival Squash Seeds
`64
`Saffron Seeds
`65
`Silo Home
`70
`Clover Seeds, Mansion
`75
`Belted Cow
`76
`Amaranth Seeds
`80
`White Rose Seeds
`85
`Pheasant
`90
`Forget Me Not Seeds
`95
`Cattail Pond
`100
`
`Giftable Items
`Azaleas
`
`Ginko Tree
`
`Floral Container
`
`Mangrove Tree
`
`Dutch Rabbit
`
`Jacaranda Tree
`
`XP requirements for higher levels
`From level 35 to level 70, each new level requires 10,000 more total XP than
`the previous one. After that, the XP distance between levels starts increasing
`at faster and faster rates, to the point at which 1,500,000 total XP are required
`to reach level 101. After that, you need 100,000 more total XP to reach each
`new level. This means you have to earn a whopping 91,300,000 XP to reach
`the game’s current top level of 999. Good luck!
`
`After level 100, you no longer earn Farm Cash for new levels. There are also
`no longer new items or names associated with levels after level 100.
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1019
`Page 164
`
`

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` Chapter 8: Reaching New FarmVille Levels
`
`145
`
`Leveling Up Quickly
`
`Leveling up is an important goal for many FarmVille players. Although regular
`farming with no particular strategy in mind eventually gets you to higher
`levels, some players just can’t wait to see a shiny new number next to their
`name. FarmVille provides many ways to quickly acquire the XP needed to
`reach new levels. Here are just a few of the methods that some of FarmVille’s
`best power-levelers rely on.
`
`The hay bale method
`Buying decorative items such as hay bales isn’t just good for sprucing up
`your farm — it can also be your ticket to quick XP. Hay bales are particularly
`efficient for generating experience, earning you 5 XP for each 100-coin purchase.
`
`Requirements
`Before starting the hay bale method, you need the following:
`
`✓ Cleared farm space: A wide expanse on which to place your hay bales.
`Although technically you can perform this method with space for only
`one hay bale, more space makes the entire process more efficient.
`✓ Farm Coins: As many as you can gather and afford to spend — the more
`the better.
`✓ Free time and patience: Lots of it.
`
`How it works
`Follow these steps to level up quickly using the hay bale method:
`
`1. Click the Market button in the Tools menu.
` The Market menu (which we thoroughly discuss in Chapter 6) appears.
`2. Click the Decorations button.
` A list of all purchasable decorations appears.
`3. Click the Hay Bales button.
` A list of all purchasable hay bales appears.
`4. Click the right arrow until you see the regular hay bale.
` The Market menu should now look like the one shown in Figure 8-3. This
`straw-colored hay bale costs only 100 Farm Coins.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`Supercell
`Exhibit 1019
`Page 165
`
`

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`146 Part III: Expanding Your Reach
`
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`
`
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`
`
`
`
`5. Click the Buy button underneath the regular hay bale.
` The Market menu disappears, and a hay bale appears attached to your
`mouse pointer.
`6. Click open areas on your farm to place as many hay bales as you have
`room and budget for.
` Each hay bale you place earns 5 XP and subtracts 100 coins from your
`balance.
`7. Click the Multi tool on the Tools menu.
`8. Click each hay bale and then click Sell.
` This clears space on your farm, allowing you to place more hay bales,
`and also earns back 5 coins. You get to keep the XP you earned for the
`purchase!
` You can click the Recycle tool from the Tools menu and use it to sell
`items much more quickly. See Chapter 3 for more on tools in the Tools
`menu.
`9. Repeat Steps 1 through 8 as often as desired.
` Be careful not to deplete your coin balance too much — you still might
`need money to buy seeds and generate more coins.
`
`
`
`
`
`Figure 8-3: The Hay Bales purchasing menu.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`Supercell
`Exhibit 1019
`Page 166
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`

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`Chapter 8: Reaching New FarmVille Levels
`
`147
`
`Costs and benefits
`Now that you know how the hay bale method works, let’s do some math:
`
`✓ Buying a hay bale: ×100 Farm Coins; +5 XP
`✓ Selling a hay bale: +5 Farm Coins
`✓ Total: ×95 Farm Coins, +5 XP — 19 Farm Coins/XP
`
`Note that you can also tweak the Hay Bale method by using the same general
`concept with other items on the Market menu, such as Whitewash Fences.
`Hay bales provide the best coin-to-XP ratio, however, and their small footprint
`means you can place more of them in the same space.
`
`Buying lots of hay bales also helps you to earn the Baled Out and Pack Rat
`ribbons, which in turn reward you with additional coins and XP. See Chapter
`11 for more on earning ribbons.
`
`The soybean method
`Usually when you plant seeds, you leave your work to sit and ripen before a
`lucrative harvest. With the soybean method, however, you’ll be deleting all
`your hard work almost immediately but still reaping the XP rewards!
`
`Requirements
`The requirements for the soybean method are as follows:
`
`✓ Cleared farm space: On which to plant your soybeans. You can technically
`perform this method with as little as one plot, but more space will make
`the entire process more efficient.
`✓ Farm Coins: As many as you can gather and afford to spend — the more
`the better.
`✓ Free time and patience: Lots of it.
`
`How it works
`Follow these steps to level up quickly using the soybean method.
`
`1. Plow as many plots of land as possible.
`This costs 15 coins and earns 1 XP per plot of land. You can plow
`soybeans using either the Plow tool (the Tools menu is described in
`Chapter 3) or a vehicle such as the tractor. The tractor can cover more
`plots of land per click than the Plow tool.
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1019
`Page 167
`
`

`

`148 Part III: Expanding Your Reach
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`2. Click the Market button on the Tools menu.
`The Market menu appears.
`3. Click the Seeds button.
`A list of all the seeds you can currently buy, shown in Figure 8-4,
`appears.
`4. Click the Buy button underneath the soybeans.
`The Market menu disappears and a soybean icon appears next to your
`mouse pointer.
`5. Click the plowed plots to plant soybeans.
`Planting soybeans costs 15 coins and earns 2 XP per plot. Note that
`vehicles such as the seeder can perform this process more quickly
`because of their ability to seed multiple plots of land in one click.
`6. Hover over the Multi tool on the Tools Menu and click the Recycle
`tool in the pop-up menu that appears.
`7. Click the seeded plots to delete them.
`Even though the plot is gone, you still keep the experience points for the
`planting.
`8. Repeat Steps 1–7 as often as desired.
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`Save a little bit of money to buy seeds that you actually intend to harvest
`so that you can replenish your Farm Coin account.
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`Figure 8-4: The Seed Purchasing menu.
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`Costs and benefits
`Here’s how the coin and XP breakdown works out for one plot under the
`soybean method.
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`✓ Plowing a plot of land: ×15 Farm Coins, + 1 XP
`✓ Planting a plot of soybeans: ×15 Coins, + 2 XP
`✓ Deleting a seeded plot: ×0 coins, +0 XP
`✓ Totals: ×30 Farm Coins, +3 XP — 10 Farm Coins/XP
`
`Soybeans are the cheapest seeds available in the FarmVille Market that also
`yield XP. The one-day ripening time before harvest is irrelevant when you use
`the soybean method because the plots are deleted before they can mature.
`
`The soybean method requires fewer coins than the hay bale method to
`generate the same amount of XP, but it does require significantly more
`clicking of the mouse, as well as more cleared space on your farm.
`
`The news feed method
`One method for gaining XP and levels in FarmVille doesn’t actually involve
`playing the game. By stalking your friends’ news feeds for posted XP and coin
`bonuses, you can level up without planting a single crop or buying a single
`item. What could be simpler?
`
`Requirements
`To gain XP via the news feed method, you need:
`
`✓ Neighbors: As many as you can get. For more on adding and interacting
`with neighbors, see Chapter 4.
`✓ Time and attention: To invest in watching your Facebook news feed for
`bonus links.
`
`How it works
`Follow these steps to gain XP using the news feed method:
`
`1. Scan your Facebook news feed for FarmVille achievement bonuses
`posted by your neighbors, as shown in Figure 8-5.
` Be sure to click the Most Recent tab at the top of your news feed to
`make sure you see all your friends’ updates, not just the ones that
`Facebook offers as the most relevant.
`2. Click the Get a Bonus from Them link in the news feed post.
` Coins and experience points are added to your FarmVille account. Note
`that bonus links expire 24 hours after they’re posted, so be sure to scour
`your news feed frequently.
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`150 Part III: Expanding Your Reach
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`3. Click Accept.
` The game returns you to your farm, and your XP bonus is noted in your
`account.
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`Click this link . . .
`
`. . . or this one to get your bonus
`
`Figure 8-5: A bonus XP link as seen in a FarmVille news feed.
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`Costs and benefits
`Because collecting news feed bonuses doesn’t actually involve playing
`FarmVille, you pay no in-game cost to this method to gain XP. Only your time
`and a keen eye for skimming through Facebook updates quickly are required.
`Therefore, the method is especially useful for new farmers who might not
`have disposable in-game currency to spend on other methods.
`
`The trick to making the news feed method work for you is having a lot of
`FarmVille neighbors, and thus more potential bonuses to collect. See
`Chapter 4 for more on finding and inviting new neighbors to join your
`FarmVille network. After you’ve gained those neighbors, be sure to encourage
`them to click the Share button whenever the game asks whether they want to
`post a bonus to their wall. Remember, their gain is your gain.
`
`
`
`In addition to posting about XP and coin bonuses to celebrate achievements,
`your neighbors can also post about items such as lost pets, bushels, collectibles,
`and other bonuses to your newsfeeds. Although these bonuses don’t generate
`XP directly, they can generate coins and other benefits that can lead to
`increased experience and leveling. You can also occasionally gain free XP
`from mystery eggs found by feeding your neighbor’s chickens — see Chapter
`4 for more on how helping your neighbors helps you.
`
`The big-spender method
`Because purchasing items from the FarmVille Market grants an XP bonus, farm-
`ers who have no qualms about spending loads of Farm Cash or Farm Coins can
`spend their way right to the upper echelons of FarmVille’s leveling system.
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`Requirements
`To gain XP via the big-spender method, you need:
`
`
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`
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`✓ Disposable income: The more money you can afford to spend, the more
`XP you can gain.
`✓ A high level: Many of the most lucrative XP-boosting items are available
`only after you’ve reached a high level. See Table 8-3 for some examples.
`
`How it works
`Gaining XP using this method is as simple as spending money in the Market
`(see Chapter 6 for the details on using the FarmVille Market). Although the
`specific size of the XP bonus depends on the purchased item, as a general
`rule items purchased with Farm Cash earn more XP than items purchased
`with Farm Coins. Generally, the more expensive the item, the more XP you
`earn. Limited-edition items that rotate in and out of the Market on a schedule
`usually offer high XP rewards as well. (Chapter 12 covers limited-edition items.)
`
`Farmers who want to level up using Farm Coin purchases alone are probably
`best off saving up massive amounts of coins for big-ticket items. Some of the
`most lucrative XP bonuses come attached to some of the most expensive
`items in the game, as shown in Table 8-3. Items such as the Villa and Mansion
`can advance you multiple levels in a single purchase.
`
` When purchasing expensive items, remember to keep some coins in reserve
`so that you can continue to purchase the seeds you’ll need to generate more
`money!
`
`Table 8-3
`Item
`Grain Silo
`Estate
`Saddleback Pig
`Villa
`Silo Home
`Mansion
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`Big-Ticket Items and Their XP Bonuses
`Level Unlocked
`Cost (in Farm Coins)
`XP bonus
`13
`20,000
`200
`29
`600,000
`6,000
`35
`300,000
`3,000
`34
`1,000,000
`10,000
`65
`1,000,000
`10,000
`70
`5,000,000
`50,000
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`Costs and benefits
`Purchasing single big-ticket items is much less time consuming than purchasing
`(and deleting) thousands of hay bales or soybeans. On the other hand, earning
`the Farm Coins or Farm Cash necessary to make these purchases can be an
`onerous process. Big-ticket items are usually less efficient at converting coins
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`152 Part III: Expanding Your Reach
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`into XP as well. Consider that a Villa purchase earns one XP for every 100
`coins spent, whereas planting soybeans earns the same single XP every 10
`coins.
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`That said, players willing to break out their wallets and purchase virtual
`currency themselves can find themselves on the bullet train to level 999 (see
`Chapter 5 for more on purchasing in-game currency).
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`Page 172
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`9
`Adding Storage Facilities
`and Animal Shelters
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`In This Chapter
`▶ Understanding how to store and retrieve items and animals
`▶ Knowing what to store where
`▶ Building and expanding storage facilities
`▶ Sheltering and breeding animals
`
`One of the most common requests from virtual farmers is for more
`
`storage! After playing FarmVille for a while, the panoply of adorable
`decorations, designer homes, and priceless animals you’ve collected
`can quickly turn your farm from a verdant paradise to a hoarder’s
`nightmare.
`
`Having lots of clutter on your farm not only slows down
`your game play but also reduces space for profitable
`crop planting. You can always sell off your excess
`items and animals to take back your space, of
`course, but chances are good that you’ve grown
`attached to at least a few of the things that make
`your farm uniquely yours.
`
`For many farmers, storing their extra items and
`animals using storage buildings is a much more
`agreeable option. This chapter tells you everything
`you need to know about FarmVille’s storage options.
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`Page 173
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`154 Part III: Expanding Your Reach
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`Understanding Storage and Retrieval
`of Items and Animals
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`Two major types of storage are available in FarmVille: animal shelters that
`hold specific types of animals, and storage facilities that hold all sorts of
`decorations. Also, some storage facilities, such as Garages and Garden Sheds,
`can store only specific types of decorations and items.
`
`Stored items can’t be seen by neighbors who visit your farm, but they also
`don’t take up any of your valuable farm space (aside from the space needed
`for the storage facility, that is). Of course, you can place stored items back on
`your farm if you want, as discussed later in this chapter.
`
`Building storage facilities from frames
`You can purchase animal shelters (and some limited-edition buildings)
`directly with Farm Cash or you can build them using a combination of Farm
`Coins (to purchase a frame) and building supplies, which can you can receive
`as gifts from neighbors or purchase using Farm Cash.
`
`Although each building frame requires different quantities and types of
`building materials to complete (Figure 9-1 shows an example), the construction
`process is similar for each building type.
`
`Figure 9-1: The building materials menu for an incomplete
`nursery barn frame.
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`The following steps cover the basics of the construction process:
`
`1. Purchase the frame from the Buildings tab of the FarmVille Market.
` For more on using the Market menu, see Chapter 6.
`2. Place the frame on your farm.
` Any open space will do, and you can always move the frame later.
`3. Request building materials from your friends or purchase them with
`Farm Cash.
` When you first place a frame, a pop-up notification asks whether you
`want to post a note to your news feed asking your friends for help with
`your new construction. Click the Share button to post a request for
`building materials to your news feed.
` You can post further requests for building materials by clicking any
`building and then clicking Look Inside on the pop-up menu to display
`the Building Materials menu, shown in Figure 9-1. Click the Ask for More
`button under the desired building item to send out another news feed
`request.
` Alternatively, you can access building materials you need and buy
`them directly from the Market by clicking Buildings➪For Animals. One
`construction material costs one Farm Cash.
`4. After you receive building materials, open your Gift Box by clicking
`the Gift Box icon on the Tools menu; then click Use underneath the
`building material you want to use.
` If you have multiple applicable frames on your farm, you have to choose
`which building to use the material on.
`
`After you’ve obtained every building supply needed for your building, the
`frame is automatically replaced with a functional building that you can use
`for storage, as discussed in the “Storing items and sheltering animals” section,
`later in the chapter.
`
`A good ol’ fashioned barn raising:
`Expanding storage facilities
`Expanding the capacity for most existing buildings — including Barns, Tool
`Sheds, Chicken Coops, Dairy Farms, and Nursery Barns — is done via what
`the game calls a “good ol’ fashioned barn raising.”
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`Supercell
`Exhibit 1019
`Page 175
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`156 Part III: Expanding Your Reach
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`Horse Stables are not expanded using a barn raising, but rather with building
`materials — just as a building is created from a frame. To expand a Horse
`Stable, click and then click Look Inside. On the Horse Stable menu that
`appears, click the Expand tab to see what materials you need for your stable
`expansion and find buttons to ask for more.
`
`Follow these steps to expand the storage capacity of storage buildings other
`than the Horse Stable and Pigpen:
`
`1. Click the building you want to expand and click Expand Storage in the
`pop-up menu that appears.
` The Expand Storage menu, shown in Figure 9-2, appears. You can also
`access this menu by clicking the Expand Storage tab on the Storage
`Inventory menu on the Tools menu (see the “Retrieving items and animals
`from storage” section, later in this chapter).
` Note that you can expand only completed buildings. To build frames
`into completed buildings, see the previous section on building storage
`fac