Au00a0new virtual game has got young indians hooked to ploughing, sowing and harvesting fields in the middle of the night, rearranging weekend getaway plans, and worrying about crops wilting while they areu00a0trying to crack that contract at work

Farmville, a virtual farming game, has got urban Indians who are on Facebook, ploughing, sowing and harvesting in the middle of the night, rearranging their pretty farms all weekend, and worrying about crops wilting while trying to complete professional assignments.

Farmville regulars swear it's an addiction. Urban professionals are so captivated by their virtual farms, all they do is plan how to get more farm coins (aka XP) and collect as many ribbons as possible. Choosing to have a windmill on their farm or not, becomes a do-or-die decision.

All it takes is a simple invite to become a neighbour on Farmville. You start with a couple of patches of ploughed field and eggplant and strawberry crops. The easy-to-get (relatively) gifts and points get you into the game, and you think, "Hey, this is a great de-stresser!" But regulars swear it's an addiction that gradually claws you in. Soon, you are so captivated by your virtual farm that all you do is plan how to get more farm coins or experience (aka XP), or collect as many ribbons as possible. Choosing to have a windmill on your farm or not, becomes a do-or-die decision. And not being gifted baby elephants (the most coveted free gift on the game) can turn you green with jealousy.

The game is only in its beta version, which means that it's still under development, but it has already got purebred professionals threatening to commit "Farmville suicide" because some of the changes they made to their farm, haven't been saved. FYI chatted up some hardcore farmers to find out what's getting them hooked.

Stress buster between fashion shows
Model Candice Pinto was spotted at the recently held Lakmu00c3u00a9 Fashion Week in Mumbai, scrambling to the media center from where fashion journalists were flying off copies to their respective publications, to log on and tend to her fields. "Ya, I've been on Farmville for a while now. It's a great de-stresser in between a hectic work schedule. I log on for about half an hour before I go to bed. That's enough time to plough and harvest. I can't afford to devote any more time. The more you tend to your farm, the bigger it gets, and then it's unmanageable. It's a fad, it'll die. But for now, I'm hooked," she laughs.

It's a great de-stresser in between a hectic work schedule. I log on for about half an hour before I go to bed. It's a fad, it'll die. But for now, I'm hooked. Candice Pinto, model Read Next Story How to zoom past Rocket Singh› Trending Stories Latest Photos Latest Videos Latest Web Stories ADVERTISEMENT Mid-Day Fast ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT