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) Wild Turkey Hunt is a budget game that has the player hunt turkeys in 5 different environments. The game is... |
DOS (1993) Wilson ProStaff Golf is a 3D golf game. The game can accept up to ten computer golfers, or four golf... |
Apple II (1980) This game puts the player on the other side of the mid-1970's Oil Crisis. As the Chief Executive of Engulf... |
Browser (2009) Lots of people believe that wind power is the energy of the future—clean, efficient, and generally great to have around—as... |
Android (2010) Winds of Steel is a game for the Android systems that places the player in a position of a pilot... |
DOS (1989), Amiga (1989), Amstrad CPC (1989) and Atari ST (1988) Windsurf Willy offers 1 or 2 player windsurfing action at 3 different skill levels. You're the contestant in 15 different... |
SEGA Saturn (1995) Wing Arms is action/shooter starring airplanes mainly from the WW2 era. There is very little simulation here as you shoot... |
DOS (1990), SNES (1992), Amiga (1992), SEGA CD (1994) and FM Towns (1992) The Confederation have been at war with the Kilrathi for the past 20 years, and you're just now joining the... |
Windows (2011) and Macintosh (2012) This digitally distributed game collection includes:
Wing Commander
Wing Commander II: Vengeance of the Kilrathi |
DOS (1994), PC-98 (1995) and FM Towns (1995) A strategy game base upon the popular Wing Commander Universe. This game sees you in command of either the Terran... |
DOS (1992) Wing Commander: Deluxe Edition is a compilation which includes:Wing CommanderThe Secret MissionsThe Secret Missions 2 - Crusade |
DOS (1992) and FM Towns (1995) This is a compilation of the entire Wing Commander II saga on a single CD. The compilation includes:
Wing Commander... |
DOS (1994), PlayStation (1996), 3DO (1995), Macintosh (1995) and Windows (2011) The war against the Kilrathi is going badly for the Confederation. Its flagship, the Concordia, has been destroyed, battles are... |
DOS (1994) The Wing Commander Premiere Pack was a special edition shipped in a container resembling a film canister. Inside, it contained... |
DOS (1991) Your carrier, the Tiger's Claw, is destroyed by Kilrathi stealth fighters. You are blamed for the loss of the ship.... |
DOS (1991) After the victory at K’Tithrak Mang, things are looking up for the Confederation. Several Kilrathi planets are rebelling and breaking... |
DOS (1992) Zachary "Jazz" Colson, traitor to the Confederation, is being transported to his execution when he is freed by the Society... |
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DOS (1993), Windows (2011) and Macintosh (2012) On the fringe of Human space, near the Kilrathi border, the industrial machine is running full-tilt to feed the war... |
DOS (1994) The CD-ROM version of Wing Commander: Privateer is similar to the original but actually features the following products:
Wing Commander:... |
Linux (2005), Windows (2005) and Macintosh (2005) Privateer Gemini Gold is an open source recreation of Wing Commander: Privateer and its add-on Righteous Fire, originally developed by... |
DOS (1994) A little-seen add-on disk for the original Wing Commander: Privateer, it added a new plot line with the religious zealot... |
DOS (1993) This is an add-on pack for Privateer which adds speech to all the in-flight taunts and communications. |
Windows (1997) and Game Boy Advance (2003) Following the Border Worlds conflict of Wing Commander IV, the galaxy is once more at peace. Colonel Christopher Blair, hero... |
Windows (1998) This Gold Edition contains:
Wing Commander: Prophecy (base game)
Wing Commander: Secret Ops (expansion pack)Secret Ops was previously only available... |
