But Frey had to postpone last minute. He has more important calls to take these days.

He was on the phone with one of the biggest game publishers in the world—a company that advertises its games with bus ads, prime time TV spots, and is currently turning one of its action-packed franchises into a major motion picture starring a major movie star.

"We're in negotiations with a lot of publishers about the next version, Farming Simulator 2017," Frey said when I finally got him on the phone. "Because of the success a lot of publishers are coming to us."

I doubt that publishers want to adapt a game about driving tractors, harvesting fields, and managing a farm into a summer movie blockbuster. But the business potential is obvious, especially if Giants Software and its publishers can convince the North American audience to embrace what Europe already knows: It sounds ridiculous on paper, but Farming Simulator is actually a lot of fun.