FarmVille Facebook
[Photo via Zynga]

Facebook’s ‘FarmVille’ is shutting down so you can stop tending your crops

After 11 years, the original FarmVille on Facebook is officially shutting down for good.

Virtual farmers will have to say goodbye to their crops and farmlands at the end of 2020.

Read more: It looks like a video for MGK and Halsey’s “forget me too” is on the way

Back in 2009, we all became obsessed with virtual farming when FarmVille launched on Facebook. Players are able to own farms, plant crops and buy seeds to earn virtual profits within the game.

As well, the sense of community in FarmVille allows users to play alongside their friends and help out with each other’s farms for rewards. It’s basically Animal Crossing before the Nintendo game took over the gaming world.

However, you can kiss all of your hard work and childhood memories goodbye because the original game is leaving Facebook forever. In a blog post this week, Zynga, the game’s developer, announced that FarmVille is shutting down on Facebook.

“Following an incredible 11 years since its initial launch back in 2009, we are officially announcing the closure of the original FarmVille game on Facebook,” Zynga’s statement says. “We’re aware that many of you have been with us since the very beginning, helping to build an incredible global community of players over the years who’ve enjoyed this game just as much as we have. For that we say thank you.”

Read more: Eddie Redmayne weighs in on J.K. Rowling’s anti-trans controversy

The shutdown of FarmVille is due to Adobe. The company has stopped distributing and updating Flash Players for web browsers. This means that Facebook will no longer support Flash games, a change that goes into effect on Dec. 31.

For that that aren’t ready to say goodbye to the original FarmVille yet, Zynga has a temporary solution. In-app purchases of the game will be available until Nov. 17. However, after this date, “the game’s payment system will be completely turned off.” FarmVille will then be playable until Dec. 31 before it is gone forever.

Thank you is a small word but when fertilized with love and beautiful memories it means the world to us. So here’s a great BIG THANK YOU for farming with us through it all. Click here: http://bit.ly/Farmv

Posted by FarmVille on Friday, 25 September 2020

Following the news, Zynga teases that it has “fun in-game activities” that will be announced soon. As well, Farmville 2: Tropic Escape and Farmville 2: Country Escape aren’t going anywhere. Zynga is also preparing for the worldwide launch of FarmVille 3 for mobile apps.

Read more: A horror-themed reboot of ‘Pretty Little Liars’ is actually happening

The full statement from Zynga is available to read here.

Of course, a lot of FarmVille players have some thoughts about the recent news.

Read more: Here’s how you can watch All Time Low play each member’s favorite setlist

Do you still play FarmVille on Facebook? Let us know in the comments below.