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 |
PlayStation 3 (2006) Gran Turismo HD Concept is the first installment in the Gran Turismo released on the PlayStation 3, with HD short... |
Macintosh (2011) and Windows (2011) Galactic Conquest is the fifth expansion for Gratuitous Space Battles and requires the original game to play. This add-on introduces... |
Macintosh (2010) and Windows (2010) The Nomads is the fourth expansion for Gratuitous Space Battles and requires the original game to play. It is the... |
Windows (2010) and Macintosh (2010) The Order is the second expansion for Gratuitous Space Battles and requires the original game to play. All gameplay modes... |
Windows (2011) The Parasites is the sixth expansion for Gratuitous Space Battles and requires the original game to play. All gameplay modes... |
Windows (2010) and Macintosh (2010) The Swarm is the third expansion for Gratuitous Space Battles and requires the original game to play. All gameplay modes... |
Windows (2009) and Macintosh (2010) The Tribe is the first expansion for Gratuitous Space Battles and requires the original game to play. All gameplay modes... |
Macintosh (2008), Windows (2008), iPhone (2010) and Android (2011) The Graveyard is a short game described by the authors as an explorable painting, an experiment in storytelling with real-time... |
Windows (2008) and Macintosh (2008) Evangeline Baumeister is trying something new. She has hired the inventor, Klaus Werner, to create steam-powered machines so Baumeister Confection... |
SEGA Master System (1987) Keep your head down. Eyes on the ball. Grip the club family ... and swing. Welcome to the Sega Master's... |
DOS (1993) The CD-ROM release of Great Naval Battles includes the main game and its three add-ons:
Super Ships of the Atlantic... |
DOS (1993) This add-on to Great Naval Battles adds a scenario editor to the game. If the two earlier add-ons (Super Ships... |
DOS (1992) Great Naval Battles: North Atlantic 1939-1943 is the first of four Naval Combat Simulators by Strategic Simulations Inc. in the... |
DOS (1993) This is an add-on for Great Naval Battles. It presents the what-if scenario of ships of the American Navy's Pacific... |
DOS (1993) This is an add-on for Great Naval Battles. It presents the what-if scenario of various "Super Ships" joining the Battle... |
DOS (1994) Great Naval Battles Guadalcanal 1942-1943 is the second installment of Strategic Simulations Advanced Simulator Series. The game sends you to... |
DOS (1995) Great Naval Battles: Fury in the Pacific is the third installment of Strategic Simulations Advanced Simulator Series. Fury in the... |
DOS (1995) A naval surface warfare wargame set in the European Theather of WW2. You can play in a series of independent... |
Browser (2000) While it was advertised as a "future trivia" game, The Great Pogini is in fact a prediction game. The prophet... |
Odyssey 2 (1982) The Great Wall Street Fortune Hunt is another game in the Master Strategy Series, a series of part console, part... |
Amiga (1990), Atari ST (1990), Commodore 64 (1990) and DOS (1989) Eight man-years of development resulted in this detailed recreation of golf, endorsed by one of the great players of the... |
Xbox 360 (2008), PlayStation 3 (2008) and Windows (2008) The heart of GRID is the career-mode called GRID World. Divided into the three regions USA, Europe and Japan, the... |
Windows (2007) What a crummy day. Your step-father died and gave his castle to your evil step-brother. Luckily though he left it... |
Windows (2006) Ground Environment is an expansion for Flight Simulator 2004, replacing the existing skies and terrain with photo-realistic textures for the... |
Windows (2008) Grumman F6F Hellcat is an add-on for Microsoft Flight Simulator X and also supports SP1, SP2 and Microsoft Flight Simulator... |
