Farming Simulator 22: How fields will look more realistic with POM technology

For Farming Simulator 22, developer GIANTS Software introduces Parallax Occlusion Mapping. POM makes surfaces look more realistic and dynamic. Here you can see how the technology affects the graphics of Farming Simulator 22.

Now comes the beauty fertilizer for the modern field. Attentive gamers have already noticed that Farming Simulator 22 seems to have more fine graphic details on screenshots compared to older parts of the series. Developer GIANTS Software now names the reason for this: Parallax Occlusion Mapping (POM). The technique, introduced with the GIANTS Engine 9, allows for more graphical detail thanks to improved depth rendering and treats the PC farmer's eye to a strikingly more dynamic representation of the environment in Farming Simulator 22.

Get out in the field! This is how beautiful country life will be from November 2021

But what exactly does this Parallax Occlusion Mapping do to the graphics of Farming Simulator 22? In short, it gives the surfaces in the game, i.e. the textures, more visual depth. GIANTS Software illustrates the results with a series of images from the game. Not all fields are the same, as the following screenshot proves:

An example of how POM will work within the game.

With POM activated, the field looks more detailed and realistic. If the field looks relatively "flat" on the left side, the tracks on the right side become more prominent when POM is activated. Of course, the technology implemented by GIANTS Software does not only improve the display of fields in Farming Simulator 22. Other objects in Farming Simulator 22 also benefit from the new technology. Walls, rocks and stones in general all get an improvement within the game. The trick is to first reduce the geometric complexity of 3D models and then to work out depth information.

Tracks in the dirt. This is what the reduced height map of a section of the image looks like.

Geometric structures are based on a "depth/height map", from which the GIANTS Engine 9 generates a two-dimensional image with more structural depth based on colour information. GIANTS compares this to the geographical map of hills and valleys. The darker an image is, the deeper it becomes, allowing for the game to generate a three-dimensional realistic looking surface.

Old mills in front of new yards - does performance suffer under POM?

"Can my old PC run this without a performance hit?", some gamers are surely asking themselves now. GIANTS Software takes away your worries. Parallax Occlusion can be activated and deactivated in the game settings of Farming Simulator 22. The underlying technology is basically performance-friendly, they say. The effect resulting from the activated POM is supposed to be a result of the interaction between PC hardware (or Mac hardware) and graphics settings. If the computer is even remotely as powerful as a John Deere tractor, it can easily handle the better visuals, without any judder. If you have to complain about a drop in performance during the harvest, simply reduce the graphic details in Farming Simulator 22 - such as the POM settings. Then Farming Simulator 22 will run as smoothly as the oil mills in which you press future olives, even on low-powered PCs.

GIANTS is still working on the Parallax Occlusion Mapping. What you see here in the pictures could look even better in the finished game. In addition, screenshots never reflect the the final version and improved dynamics you can expect in the future.

Animations: How POM affects the game's graphics

Pre-order Steam or GIANTS key for Farming Simulator 22 now.

On Gamesplanet we not only offer you GIANTS Keys, which we obtain as a authorized partner directly from Giants, but also Steam Keys. A clear advantage for our customers: If you have already bought an (older) Farming Simulator on Gamesplanet, you will automatically be granted a loyalty discount of 10% in the shopping cart when ordering Farming Simulator 22.

Pre-order Farming Simulator 22 now on Gamesplanet, choose your favourite activation method and reserve the much sought-after CLAAS XERION SADDLE TRAC Pack as a bonus with your pre-order!