Farming Revision

[Zapt13]

But I don't want to have to plant 16 fields of 1 tile each just to have the work of harvesting 16 fields later (with the current field size being 4x4).

If anything I'd want the opposite, have fields of 2 sizes and have the option to plant a 7x7 field for 4 times the cost in humus and seeds with 4 times the yield. The benefit of doing so is obviously the higher density production (7x7 is less than the expected 8x8, but we're eliminating edges and the spaces between fields to be more efficient)

[nonsonogiucas]

But I don't want to have to plant 16 fields of 1 tile each just to have the work of harvesting 16 fields later (with the current field size being 4x4).

I was actually suggesting that 4x4 already is a pretty decent discretization. I can see how you could consider it big in regard to pumpkins that area easily hand picked but who would produce cereals in such a small scale?

If anything I'd want the opposite, have fields of 2 sizes and have the option to plant a 7x7 field for 4 times the cost in humus and seeds with 4 times the yield. The benefit of doing so is obviously the higher density production (7x7 is less than the expected 8x8, but we're eliminating edges and the spaces between fields to be more efficient)

I don't think that adding the possibility of a plot that is at the same time more time- and space- efficient would add much choice to the game... everyone would just go for the 7x7 that is more space efficient and less time consuming.

You see, to be meaningful, a choice must be accompanied by internal conflict. Choosing between wasting time and not wasting time is not a meaningful choice... Everyone will always choose to not waste time if at all possible.

On the other hand, make a bigger farm plot less space-efficient but more time-efficient. Then you'll have a meaningful choice: "Do I sacrifice part of my base space in order to get crops with less overall effort or do I want to work more to save space?"

[Zapt13]

I could go either way. From each of our view points we're looking at somewhat extreme cases, perhaps a hermit with very limited means for myself, and a prosperous town with many contributors and a sprawling claim. There might be value in a three-option system to give some more choices.

From the other side of the coin:
If I can only secure a space that's 16x16 for farming (due to claim upkeep costs, pressure from other settlers, etc), I could put 16 fields and get a certain crop variety, or 4 fields at 7x7.

Perhaps 2x2, 5x5, and 7x7 could be options to maximize variety in a small space or to minimize hassel and maximize production?

[Scilly_guy]

Wasn't the suggestion of smaller fields, because someone wanted to harvest some pumpkins at stage 1 or stage 2 only leaving half to grow to be stage 3, personally I don't see why they don't just plant two fields anyway.

[nonsonogiucas]

Wasn't the suggestion of smaller fields, because someone wanted to harvest some pumpkins at stage 1 or stage 2 only leaving half to grow to be stage 3, personally I don't see why they don't just plant two fields anyway.

Exactly,
4x4 is already small enough, or, in other terms, arbitrary enough (since no real differentiation of gameplay between the various sizes of plot has been proposed)