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 (2010) and Macintosh (2011) Victoria II is a strategy game set in the 19th century, more exactly between 1836 and 1937. In comparison to... |
Windows (2006) and Macintosh (2006) Victoria: Revolutions is an add-on for Victoria: An Empire Under the Sun, a strategy game set in the Victorian Era,... |
Wii (2007) Victorious Boxers: Revolution is a boxing game that closely follows the Hajime no Ippo manga from Weekly Shonen Magazine. The... |
PlayStation (1995) As the name states, Victory Zone is a Pachinko simulator. Pachinko is a gambling device resembling a pinball machine without... |
Channel F (1980) In this slot machine simulation, the player can choose his starting purse (from $1 up to $99) and then bet... |
Channel F (1981) A simulation of the five-card draw poker variant. There is a computerized dealer and two more players (human or computer-controlled),... |
Windows 3.x (1994) Video Casino Games is a collection of casino-type games written in Microsoft Visual Basic. The included casino games are a... |
Atari 2600 (1980) Video Pinball is a pinball simulation for one or two players. You begin the game with three balls and need... |
Browser (1999) Video Poker is an online adaptation of Video Poker, a gambling game played using computer terminals in casinos. The main... |
Windows (2002) Everybody knows strip poker. Torquemada Games tried to make some kind of simulation of a real deal to make the... |
Windows (2002) Vietnam Air War is add on for Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 2. The aircraft are also compatible with Microsoft Flight... |
Windows (2004) Vietnam Carrier Ops is an add-on for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004.This add-on makes the aircraft... |
Browser (2012) The Ville is a social game in which the player builds a house, expands and decorates their house and lot,... |
Windows (2000) VIP Classic Airliners 2000 is an add-on for Microsoft Flight Simulator 98 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000.The original VIP Classic... |
Windows (1998) VIP Ultimate Classic Wings: The Collection is a collection of aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator 98. This is the VIP... |
TurboGrafx CD (1996) A "Pretty Girl Contest" is held, which is more than just a regular beauty competition: within a year, a young... |
Dreamcast (1998) Virtua Fighter 3tb (Team Battle) is a port of the arcade game Virtua Fighter 3 to the Dreamcast. The "tb"... |
SEGA Saturn (1996) Virtual Casino lets the player experience the real sights and sounds of a casino in full 3-D, complete with authentic... |
Windows (1998) Virtual Deep Sea Fishing is a fishing simulation and the first 3D installment of the Korean-made Nakksigwang series of fishing... |
Windows (2008) Virtual Farm is a farming simulation game with time-management elements. Participate in resurrecting a old farm with rusty equipment into... |
Windows (2006) A 3-D MMO horse ranch simulation game that includes training, breeding, and building your own ranch by placing a variety... |
Game Boy Advance (2002) and PlayStation (2001) Virtual Kasparov is a chess game with thirty-one opponents of varying difficulty to face in a story mode. Victory over... |
Genesis (1993) Virtual Pinball is the spiritual successor to Bill Budge's classic Pinball Construction Set. Programmed by Bill Budge, this Sega Genesis... |
Windows (1997) The successor to Virtual Pool, Virtual Pool 2 is pool at it's finest. Better Graphics, Enhanced Physics engine, and more... |
Windows (2002) Design your own holiday resort by building rides, hotels, bars, swimming pools and much more. Much like other "tycoon" style... |
