Simulation
Description
Simulation games are created with the goal of putting the player in control of a certain activity while attempting to make it as realistic as possible.
In the strictest sense of the word, all electronic games are simulations, since they cannot exist without simulating aspects of real life. However, simulation genre only includes games that
focus (entirely or mostly) on imitating real-life activities. That does not mean that simulation games must be completely realistic; for example,
space combat simulation games simulate an activity that is (yet) unknown to human beings. The distinguishing feature of simulation games is their emphasis on realism and detail comparable to those encountered in real life.
Most simulation games are not story-driven, since they concentrate on describing general activities, not concrete situations. Among notable exceptions are
Wing Commander games, which combine space combat simulation with a continuous narrative.
Simulation themes vary greatly; theoretically, they are limited only by the amount of activities known to human beings. Simulation themes include, for example,
traffic networks,
medical care,
romance,
music, and many others.
Simulation games can be roughly divided into five main groups:
- Managerial simulations put the player in a position of a manager or a similar role.
- Construction simulations primarily involve building, for example cities.
- Life simulations may deal with human life or life in general.
- Professional / Social simulations are dedicated to specific social activities and professions.
- Vehicle simulations allow the player direct control of a vehicle with a certain sense of realism, for example plane, space ship, tank, etc.
Simulation can also be used as a modifier for other genres, for example Strategy (realistic re-creation of historical battles), Racing / Driving (particularly realistic vehicle-handling, tuning, repair, etc.), or Sports (team management, training, trading, etc.).
 Game Title |
iPad (2011), iPhone (2011) and Wii (2011) The $1,000,000 Pyramid is a game adaptation of the TV series of the same name. Players must choose a category... |
Amiga (1991), DOS (1992) and Commodore 64 (1992) Based around a classic motor car race from either side of the war, 1000 Miglia (literally '1000 miles') is an... |
Wii (2010) 10 Minute Solution is a workout game based on the already established exercise DVDs of the same name. This arcade-style... |
Windows (1998) 10six Online is an on-line only action/adventure game, meant to become the world's first 1 million player game. It runs... |
Windows (2001) 1193 Anno Domini is a trading simulation set in the second half of the Middle Age. You are a little... |
Windows (1999) 12 O'Clock High: Bombing the Reich is a detailed simulation of the Allied strategic bombing campaign against Germany in World... |
Windows (2004) The official expansion to the successful strategy/ management game by Sunflowers Interactive improves the original by adding to the graphics,... |
Windows (1999) This release combines the original game Anno 1602: Creation of a New World and its German-only add-on Anno 1602: Erschaffung... |
PC-88 (1986) and Sharp X1 (1986) 177 is the number of the Japanese criminal legislation paragraph that forbids rape. The game, however, does just the opposite:... |
DOS (1995) Based on Avalon Hill's board game of the same name, 1830 is a railroad empire building game that is along... |
DOS (1992) and Amiga (1992) Trade goods between ports all over the world in this economic simulation game. As a 19th century merchant newcomer, the... |
Windows (2003) The fourth game in the Hard Truck series features you as a trucker who is building his business to an... |
Windows (2007) In this truck-simulation-game the player starts with a single truck and tries to build up an own transport company. Right... |
Windows (2005) In this game the player starts his own trucking company. Starting with a single driver, the player is going to... |
Windows (2009) In 18 Wheels of Steel: Extreme Trucker the player takes the role of a truck driver. This time, as the... |
Windows (2009) The 18 Wheels of Steel: Gold Edition contains four games of the 18 Wheels of Steel series. The included games... |
Windows (2006) In this truck-simulation-game the player starts with a single truck and tries to build a major delivery company. At the... |
Windows (2004) In this installment of the series, you will transport cargo across America, Mexico and Canada with your rig. There are... |
Windows (2006) In 1914: Shells of Fury the player takes control over German submarines during World War I. As with most modern... |
DOS (1994) 1942: The Pacific Air War is a flight simulation set in World War II, more specific the Pacific War between... |
Windows 3.x (1994) This is the special CD-ROM version of the standard 1942: The Pacific Air War. Besides the original game, it includes... |
DOS (1995) The add-on scenario disk to 1942: The Pacific Air War offers a multitude of new features. Players can now join... |
Amiga (1993) 1990: Die 1993'er Edition is an expanded re-release of 1990. The changes are mostly technical, e.g. many drawn graphics were... |
NES (1992) Four Japanese high-school students were camping at the countryside, when they suddenly saw an UFO landing nearby. Before they managed... |
Windows (2005) 2005 Traffic is an add-on for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004. It is designed to make the traffic element of the... |
