Welcome to Hutan Pantai!
Discover the perfect blend of the tranquil East Asian countryside and the vibrant energy of modern urban life—a fascinating synergy beautifully explained by Associate Producer and Technical Artist, Horia Serban. Dive into our exclusive interview to uncover the inspirations behind the creation of this unique map.
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Horia, tell us a bit about yourself and your role!
As an Associate Producer at GIANTS Software, I’m part of the Environment Department team, and I also contribute as a Technical Artist. I’ve been part of the gaming industry for almost 20 years, and for the last eight, I’ve been fortunate to work with GIANTS. My journey with them began with Farming Simulator 17 in 2016. Before this, I worked on various projects such as Call of Duty: Ghosts, Dead Rising 3, and Test Drive Unlimited 2, mainly in an outsourcing capacity.
The Farming Simulator series holds a special place in my heart, and being part of its development has been incredibly fulfilling. Witnessing the franchise’s growth and knowing my contributions have been part of that journey fills me with immense pride and joy. It’s an honor to bring this evolving world to life for players season after season.
What kind of atmosphere were you aiming to create?
With the Hutan Pantai map, we sought to capture a genuine East Asian ambiance, reflecting the harmony between serene rural landscapes and the dynamic pulse of modern cities in the region. It’s a symbiotic relationship, where thriving urban centers are supported by dedicated countryside communities—the heart of our map’s vision. Celebrating the contrast and connections between these worlds was critical.
We focused on including unique regional elements that highlight how urban modernity facilitates the flow of goods. By integrating features like elevated highways and suspended train bridges, we bridge the gap between fields and urban areas, creating a seamless connection akin to real-world infrastructure. Our goal was to craft a familiar world rich in East Asia’s authentic cultural blend.
Preserving regional heritage was crucial. We designed a traditional village and a tranquil temple area, both using architectural styles that have withstood the test of time, honoring the historical and cultural legacy of this region.
Where did your inspiration for the map come from?
Our inspiration drew from a multitude of sources, each enhancing distinct aspects of the Hutan Pantai map. The traditional village area is heavily inspired by Studio Ghibli movies, especially ‘From Up on Poppy Hill’, a favorite of mine. Ghibli’s artistry captures the essence of timeless small villages, a feeling we aimed to embody here.
The lively neon-lit atmosphere of bustling metropolises like Seoul and Tokyo inspired our industrial town, bringing an energy that mirrors the vivacity of modern city life. These luminous scenes helped shape the dynamic urban spaces in our map.
For the temple area, we leaned into multiple sources, including K-dramas and detailed visual references, to reflect the intricate architecture beautifully. These served as guides to creating a space that feels genuine and respects the cultural heritage it signifies.
The farming areas explore both traditional and contemporary agricultural practices inherent to East Asia. Our vision was to meld historical roots with evolving procedures, crafting an experience that honors the past while embracing the future. This diverse inspiration culminated in a rich and immersive world, faithful to the spirit of East Asia.
How does your team approach the creation of a new map?
Our map creation process begins with an extensive exploration of the cultural and thematic elements we wish to depict. This approach involves dividing tasks within our team to amass comprehensive insights and capture the region’s authentic essence.
Team members delve into local architecture, vegetation, agricultural techniques, and community features. We remain mindful of cultural sensitivities to ensure our map is both respectful and enjoyable.
Following research, we transition to prototyping or pre-production. This phase involves “gray-boxing”—creating simple 3D models to sketch the map’s layout, allowing us to trial and adjust the positioning of key landmarks. It’s an exhilarating transformation from data to a tangible world, laying a solid groundwork for the final map.
What approach did you take for the environmental design and landscape?
In designing Hutan Pantai’s environment, we focused on creating symmetry and balance. This map highlights the duality of tradition and modernity, a recurring theme in the region’s landscapes. The industrial section converges near the city’s port, symbolizing the final stage of the agrarian cycle—exporting goods as a metaphor rather than a functional feature. It underscores the purpose and flow of farming life.
We aimed to authentically capture East Asia’s essence, intertwining rural beauty with industrial vibrance. The farming journey travels from southwest to northeast, guiding players through production and transportation. This equilibrium between heritage and innovation is reflected not only in the physical arrangement but also in the map’s character, providing a genuine experience of East Asian culture and geography.
What challenges did you face while creating the map?
The development of the Hutan Pantai map posed unique challenges, particularly with the city’s complexity. It was uncharted territory for us, demanding a fine balance between realism and performance. We wanted a city that felt lively without dominating the map’s surface or straining console and PC performance—a major technical and creative challenge.
Designing infrastructure to connect urban and rural areas also presented hurdles. Crafting a highway seamlessly linking the city to the rest of the map required careful planning, and integrating tunnels added another layer of difficulty, testing our design and engineering expertise.
What are you most proud of, and what’s your favorite part of the map?
I take pride in the entirety of this map and the advancements we’ve made with Hutan Pantai. I’m particularly proud of our Environment Team’s outstanding work. Their talent and commitment made this map come to life.
Our technical artist, Evgen, was instrumental in achieving technical innovations. Kevin, with a keen eye for detail, brought out the best in each element meticulously. Vanessa and Kenan, from our vegetation team, crafted a lush and immersive plant life. Gabriel added so much life to the neon-lit cityscape through his endless efforts. And Anton’s dedication and patience lifted every element to a higher standard.
This map is the product of a collective effort, and witnessing each team member’s contributions seamlessly come together is what I’m most proud of.
