What Is Courseplay?
Courseplay is arguably the most well-known and widely used automation mod for Farming Simulator 17. It allows you to record driving routes — called "courses" — and then assign AI workers to follow those routes automatically. Whether you want a tractor to harvest a field, a truck to haul grain between silos, or a combine to work autonomously while you manage other tasks, Courseplay makes it possible.
Key Features
- Course Recording: Drive any route manually and Courseplay records every turn and waypoint. Workers then replicate that path with precision.
- Field Work Automation: Automatically sow, cultivate, fertilize, or harvest fields without touching the controls.
- Convoy Mode: Set multiple vehicles to follow each other in a convoy — great for grain cart and combine combos.
- Pipe Management: Courseplay handles combine pipe extensions and grain cart positioning automatically during harvest.
- Refueling & Unloading: Workers can be configured to drive to refuel points or unloading stations on their own.
How Well Does It Work?
For most standard field work, Courseplay performs excellently. Recording a course is intuitive — just enable the mod, hit record, drive your intended path, and save. The AI follows the route reliably, handles headland turns adequately, and reacts to obstacles reasonably well.
That said, Courseplay does have a learning curve. New players may find the menu system complex at first, with multiple modes, settings, and course management options to navigate. The mod's documentation and the active community forum are invaluable resources for getting started.
Compatibility
Courseplay is compatible with the vast majority of vehicle mods available for FS17, though some highly customized vehicles may require minor tweaks. It works on PC and Mac. Console players, unfortunately, do not have access to this mod due to platform restrictions on scripted mods.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Dramatically reduces repetitive driving | Steep initial learning curve |
| Highly flexible and configurable | Not available on consoles |
| Actively maintained and updated | Occasional pathfinding quirks on custom maps |
| Free to download | Complex menus can overwhelm new users |
Is It Worth It?
Absolutely. If you play FS17 on PC or Mac and manage anything larger than a small farm, Courseplay is a game-changer. The time you save on repetitive field passes can be reinvested into managing crops, finances, and expanding your operation. It transforms Farming Simulator from a hands-on driving game into a genuine farm management experience.
Where to Download
Courseplay is available for free through the official Farming Simulator modhub and on community mod sites like Modhoster and Farming-Simulator.com. Always download from trusted sources to avoid modified or malicious files.