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 |
Windows (1999) Power Pool is a pool simulation which features Eight-ball and Nine-ball, the last one in many variations. Like other similar... |
Game Boy Advance (2001) Power Pro Kun Pocket 3 is the third game in the long-running arcade baseball series for hand-helds and the first... |
PlayStation (2000) Power Shovel is an arcade/simulation where you get to drive excavators of various sizes to do more or less realistic... |
Windows (2009) A young pilot of the humanoid Amarn race has graduated from the academy and is now returning to his home... |
PlayStation 2 (2002) and Windows (2003) After many versions developed by Realms of Fantasy and Dinamic Multimedia, when Gremlin was acquired and then disbanded, it seemed... |
PlayStation 2 (2008) and Windows (2008) Premier Manager 09 is the longest running football management simulation in the games industry.The main focus of Premier Manager games... |
DOS (1993), Amiga (1993) and Atari ST (1994) This football management game features all five national English leagues. The player begins the game managing one of the teams... |
Windows (2003), PlayStation 2 (2003) and Game Boy Advance (2003) Premier Manager 2003-04 is a soccer management sim, in which the player is responsible for the athletic and financial success... |
Game Boy Advance (2004), PlayStation 2 (2004) and Windows (2004) Premier Manager 2004 - 2005 is a soccer manager where the player is responsibly for the athletic and financial success... |
Apple II (1981) and Commodore 64 (1984) A political simulation of the US presidential elections, President Elect allows you to simulate any campaign from the 60's to... |
Apple II (1987), Atari ST (1987), Commodore 64 (1987) and DOS (1987) President Elect:1988 Edition is an updated version of the original President Elect adding the campaign data for the upcoming (at... |
Windows (2004) President Forever is a strategy game that puts you right in the presidential campaign. You will have to manage ads,... |
DOS (1988) Based off of the 80s game show of the same name, Press Your Luck allows you to play as one... |
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Commodore 64 (1990), DOS (1990) and Amiga (1991) GameTek's home version of the classic game show The Price is Right. Bob Barker and the Beauties are not present,... |
PlayStation 2 (2003) All fighting styles are accepted in PRIDE fight. Fight in all positions; standing, in a clinch, and on the ground.... |
Windows (2006) Prime Time is a budget, management simulation game, in which the player assumes the role of manager at a TV... |
DOS (1988), Atari ST (1988) and Amiga (1988) Don't you hate it when your favorite TV show gets cancelled? Prime Time from First Row Software lets you be... |
TurboGrafx CD (1995), PC-98 (1991), MSX (1992) and Sharp X68000 (1997) Princess Maker is the first of Gainax' "princess-raising simulation" game series.You are a noble warrior who has just saved your... |
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SNES (1995) "Legend of Another World" one of Gainax' popular "princess-breeding simulation" games, similar to Princess Maker 2, but more medieval and... |
PlayStation (1997) and SEGA Saturn (1998) The fourth in Gainax' Princess Maker simulation series. A young fairy wants to become a human princess. The fairy Queen... |
Windows (2005) In Prison Tycoon the player watches over a prison. The prisoners need to have a nice stay, a possibility to... |
ZX Spectrum (1983) and ZX81 (1983) Privateer is a single player game with three distinctly different stages or missions. There are three levels of difficulty to... |
DOS (1996) and Windows (1997) You are Ser Lev Arris in this "sequel" to the original Privateer. Go on a search to regain your identity... |
