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 |
Atari ST (1988) ST Keno is a keno simulation in low or high resolution for one player. You may select 1 to 15... |
DOS (1990) and Amiga (1987) Up to four players compete on the Stock Market to make their fortune, by investing in a portfolio of stocks.... |
DOS (1992), Amiga (1992) and Atari ST (1992) Eoliae is a remote land where myth meets truth, and where winds shows only the power of gods moving armies... |
DOS (1990) Flight simulator for the Soviet SU-25 attack jet. A wide range of bombs and munitions are included (from cluster bombs... |
Windows (2007) A (re-)take on Wilderness: A Survival Adventure, Stranded II puts the player in the first-person role of a castaway shipwreck... |
Windows (2006) Strategic Command 2: Blitzkrieg is the sequel to Strategic Command: European Theater. It's a turn-based strategy game that portrays the... |
Windows (2008) Strategic Command 2: Patton Drives East is the second expansion pack for Strategic Command 2: Blitzkrieg. The game continues the... |
Windows (2007) Strategic Command 2: Weapons and Warfare Expansion is an expansion pack for Strategic Command 2: Blitzkrieg. Like Blitzkrieg the game... |
Windows (2008) Strategic Command: WWII Pacific Theater is the third game in the Strategic Command series. Like its predecessors the game is... |
Windows (1998) In Stratosphere you own a fortress flying on a bit of rock. Via an editor, you can add different enhancements... |
Windows (2002) Street Legal is just like Gearhead Garage, but in Street Legal you only don't fix and build cars, you can... |
DOS (1991) and Amiga (1991) Interface is thankfully the same as the first but that's where the similarity ends. More is the name here, more... |
Windows (1997) Race through or create havoc in one of 50+ cities, or import your own SimCity 2000 cities for battle-on-wheels! Play... |
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DOS (1993), PC-98 (1994) and FM Towns (1994) Following the collapse of Soviet Union, USA began to dominate the politics of the Commonwealth of Independent Nations. Islamic countries... |
DOS (1994) This package contains Strike Commander and Wing Commander: Privateer as well as all speech packs and add-on missions on one... |
DOS (1993), PC-98 (1995) and FM Towns (1995) The CD-ROM release of Strike Commander includes the following:
Strike Commander
Strike Commander: Tactical Operations
An additional opening cinematic and... |
DOS (1993) The Turkish Government has had enough of mercenaries using their country as a base for their operations and have raised... |
Windows (2004) This is an updated version of Third Wire's 'Strike Fighters: Project 1' (SF:P1) combat flight simulator.The game has Instant action,... |
Windows (2002) Strike Fighters: Project 1 lets the player take off in various fighter jets from the 1960's era, when missile technology... |
DOS (1988), Commodore 64 (1987), Amiga (1991), Atari ST (1991) and Apple II (1987) Strike Fleet is the unofficial sequel to PHM Pegasus which was developed by Lucasfilm Games in 1987. But instead of... |
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DOS (1996), PlayStation (1996) and SEGA Saturn (1996) 1996's edition of the Striker football series from Rage Software.Graphics combine a 3D pitch with 2D player sprites. The game... |
Amiga (1993) Ten Pin Bowling hasn’t been recreated on computer very much, and this is an ambitious attempt, which appears to have... |
Windows (2013) This the first downloadable content (DLC) for Strike Suit Zero, introducing the new Raptor assault craft with shotgun-type weapons. |
