Virtual Villagers is a simulation game in which players are tasked with ensuring the survival of people trapped on a remote island after a catastrophic eruption destroys their homes. The main goal is to prevent famine, so you must always be on the lookout for new food sources in Virtual Villagers.

The only food source villagers can start with is the Berry Bush, but supplies run out quickly and sometimes don’t grow back fast enough, so you’ll need to actively seek out other food sources. Children in the village can occasionally gather brown or red mushrooms, but these must be eaten immediately or they’ll wither in the sunlight. Your only alternative to berries and mushrooms is to unlock Farming Technology level two or three.

The second level of farming costs 12,000 tech points and allows you to plant crops in the field, which provides a great source of extra food. For another 100,000 tech points you can unlock the third and final level of farming to harvest fish and crabs.

If you need more tech points, assign two or more of your villagers the role of investigator and drag them to the investigation table. After a few seconds, they should get down on their knees and start searching. If they run away, keep trying; you may have to do this a dozen times before they get it right and don't get up again.