As I played (I'm still playing… even though I don't quite know why…) I started wondering what was the point of XP. It's listed at the top of the screen, along with the other currencies, but you don't seem to be able to spend it. What's the deal?

 

Almost every useful action (i.e. actions requiring an Energy point) will earn you XP. Most actions (including watering a plant, rummaging through the trash, or painting something) earn 10 XP. The symbol for XP is a blue star, and XP is tracked in the top right-hand corner of your main screen.

The number on the XP bar is your level as a player. There are 50 levels in the game. If you hover your mouse over the XP bar, it will show you how many XP you have, versus how many you need to advance to the next level. For example, "10500/11000" means that you have 10,500 XP points, and when you accumulate 11,000 XP points you will be moved up to the next level. 

 

There is also a graphic indication of where you are in the level - the bar gets fuller the closer you get to leveling up.

 

Every time you level up, you get a bonus. Most of the time you get some Simoleons, some Energy points, and get an item unlocked. "Unlocked" means that you will be able to buy this item now - although these are usually pricey items, and not easy to assemble!

 

Many players find that they lose interest in the game when they reach level 50 as players. Past level 50, your XP still accumulates, but it has no effect. For the last three or four months there have been rumors that Playfish will give us more levels, which means that people who have been accumulating XP past level 50 may one day log in to find that they have suddenly leveled up!

 

Honestly, though, I wouldn't hold out a lot of hope for that.

 

A better goal may be to focus on leveling up your house. Your house can also max out at level 50. However, when you hit level 50, you unlock the ability to buy more gardening plots! Which is a major goal for most players. Sure, each garden plot costs 3,000 Simoleons - but think about how much money you could earn off each additional plot! (I wonder how many garden plots you can fit on a level 50 property?)