Simulation game (computer game)

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A simulation game is a computer game genre in which a real process is depicted in a simulation .

features

As a rule, simulations try to implement real facts as true to the original as possible in a computer game. Here, audio / video effects are just as important as logical relationships and, for example, physical relationships. However, since the focus is still on having fun, such simulations cannot be compared with scientific ones. Simulation games with an educational character that is above entertainment value are also known as serious games . An educational game, on the other hand, is intended to convey or test specific knowledge or skills. Simulation games often overlap with other computer game genres such as the strategy game , the sports game or the racing game . Often, attempts are made to depict real brands in order to create realism.

history

Simulation games existed as business games and in various scientific disciplines even before computer games . With the development of computer technology it was possible to develop more complex simulations. Since these were expensive to develop, initially they were mainly developed for companies and research. The introduction of home computers and game consoles also gave rise to the idea of ​​making a simulation more playful.

The first computer games such as Tennis for Two from 1958 or OXO from 1952 were already simulation games, as they simulated real activities such as tennis or the tic-tac-toe game. In the mid-1980s, Codemasters released a number of vehicle and sports simulation games with "Simulator" in the title. In 1984 the first city planning simulation Fortune Builder appeared for ColecoVision . The genre's breakthrough came with the game SimCity developed by Will Wright in 1989 and its successor projects such as SimLife , SimEarth and The Sims . Today, many simulation games are marketed as a niche product and receive little consideration in the specialist press . Racing simulation , football simulation and some representatives of life simulation and economic simulation represent a mass market .

Subgenres

Life and work

Life simulation

The Sims was originally planned as a virtual dollhouse and is now the most successful life simulation.

A computer game is called a life simulation, which enables a simulation and representation of a life cycle of an object or a person according to previously defined rules. It thus represents a specialized sub-category of the computer simulation genre and often also contains real-time elements. A distinction is sometimes made according to whether the user who started the simulation can interactively intervene in what is happening (common in computer games), or whether the simulation runs completely alone after the rules have been determined and the scenario started (machine or AI simulations). Well-known examples are The Sims , Conway's Game of Life , Animal Crossing , Little Computer People Tomodachi Life . Some games focus on aspects of life such as housekeeping , taking care of animals, bringing up children or spending their free time .

(House) animal simulation

A tamagotchi

Animal simulation is a subgenre of life simulation. Here the player either takes control of an animal or takes care of the animal by human hands. In the second variant, the player must meet the needs of the animal in the form of a needs bar and care for it. If necessary, the player can also play with the animal, train it, and make it look different. Furthermore, the player usually has several customization options for the animal and the opportunity to meet other animals and go out with the animal. The animals usually have a certain autonomy and character and the mutual interaction and communication between animal and player plays an important role. Younger players in particular can develop a closer emotional bond with the virtual animals. Animal simulations are particularly popular as a browser game , handheld and mobile game . The success goes back to electronic cuddly toys like Furby . In 1995 the Dogz game was released and the Catz game in 1996 and became a franchise that continued under the Petz name . The Tamagotchi followed in 1996 and Digimon in 1997 . Other well-known animal simulations are the animal expansions for Sims 2 , Sims 3 , Sims 4 , Zoo Tycoon , SimAnt , Pou , PetVille , SimAnimals and Nintendogs + Cats

Work and technology simulations

Job or work simulations depict individual job profiles and workplaces. Often it is also a technology or machine simulation. Work simulations represent the world of work in a simplified manner and the focus is on having fun, although there is often monotonous work to be done. Although negative working conditions of a profession can be represented, they can never have the same effects for the player as in reality. The motivation of players is, among other things, to get a taste of a job and to discover new things without having to do appropriate training . The curiosity and thirst for knowledge of the player play an important role. Players want to experience more experimentation and discovery than action like in other game genres. Another important motivation is the leveling up of the game character and / or the company or an object. Through repetitive but relaxing tasks, the players can feel escapism from real life and reduce stress . The main target group are children and young people between the ages of 7 and 14 and men over the age of 35. Additional realism should u. a. be established by reference to real machines or locations. If these do not come from the developer, there are often separate mod communites for them. Job simulations can show knowledge and interest in a job, but usually do not replace professional practice. Most games are not rated or rated negatively by the press, but that doesn't put players off. Well-known professions are:

In addition to simulations that are played from the point of view of workers and are thus a sub-genre of life simulation, it can also be a building game and management, administration and construction tasks play an important role. In RollerCoaster Tycoon, for example, the player takes on the role of park manager. Further genre overlaps can occur depending on the job description and implementation with the genre strategy game , sports simulation , music game and role play. Job simulations can also be added to a game as a computer game extension (e.g. the Sims series). In addition to the playful use, job simulations can also be used in training, e.g. B. in the training of pilots and the military. However, these are very different from those for the entertainment market.

Dating Sim / Relationship Simulation / Ren'ai Simulation

Representation of a Ren'ai simulation

Ren'ai simulations are a sub-genre of the Ren'ai games (恋愛 ゲ ー ム, ren'ai gēmu ), the aim of which is to build a love relationship with one of several game characters . Ren'ai simulations are also known as Dating Sims (short for dating simulation ) outside of Japan . Just like the term visual novel , however, the term is often used across the board for all Ren'ai games, regardless of whether they have a simulation character or not. Outside of the Japanese region, simulation of conversations and relationships can play an important role in adventure games and general life simulation. Games with an erotic character are also known as eroge or erotic game .

Survival game

A Survival Game (in German: survival game ) means a computer game genre, in which the player tries in a game world to survive as long as possible. It differs from other games in which the player also has the goal not to die, mainly in that the basic needs of the character for survival must be secured and objects can be processed through a crafting system. So mainly basic survival tasks and manual tasks are simulated. Survival games often also simulate unusual places such as space (e.g. No Man's Sky ) or the deep sea (e.g. Subnautica ). Although the genre fulfills the characteristics of a simulation, it is more likely to be counted as an action adventure or an action game.

Construction, economy and politics

Economic simulation and construction simulation

An economic simulation is a computer game that simulates economic relationships in a very simplified way. Such a computer game is thus a special form of economic simulation and is used as a game primarily for entertainment purposes, and less often for educational purposes. This often includes setting up production facilities, acting skillfully or making as much profit as possible by running a company , an association or state and asserting oneself against competitors . The player is usually located at the management / executive level and has to make appropriate decisions. There are numerous forms and subgenres of economic simulations, including a. related to certain industries / branches of industry (e.g. sports clubs, airlines, media) and the activities to be carried out / value-added stages and economic areas (e.g. production / industry, trade, transport / logistics). There are also historical, current and future-based simulations. Business simulations can be implemented as a real-time strategy game or a turn-based strategy game .

Policy simulation

In political simulations, the player takes on the role of a state or other administrative area and takes care of political tasks such as diplomacy and foreign trade relations and the fulfillment of the needs of the population. The genre can also contain elements of an economic simulation, such as the management of economic resources or the implementation of construction projects. Well-known examples of the genre are Democracy , Urban Empire , Genius - In the Center of Power and Tropico . The administration of a virtual state on the Internet is also known as a virtual nation . The best known example of this is eRepublik .

City building simulation

Lincity as an example for a city building simulation

Urban construction simulation is a sub-genre of economic and political simulation. In town planning simulations, the player takes on the role of mayor and takes care of the administration and development of the town. These include B. building transport links, building an energy and supply network, managing residential, commercial and industrial properties and building public facilities in areas such as education and science , health , public safety and environmental protection . The economy, the needs of the population, the situation of the environment and trade relations with neighboring cities also play an important role. Urban planning simulations differ according to their temporal and spatial classification and the degree of reality. Well-known examples are SimCity , Cities: Skylines , Caesar , CityVille , Anno series, Surviving Mars , Die Siedler . The first successful game of this kind was SimCity from 1989. From this genre, other building games (e.g. for amusement parks ( Roller Coaster Tycoon ,), houses ( SimTower ) or airports ( Airport City )) have developed.

Military simulation

A military simulation or war simulation tries to represent military operations as faithfully as possible. They are based on war games and simulation games . Instead of a lot of action, a military simulation should primarily convey authenticity and realism in control and gameplay. Therefore the tactics and strategy as well as the specialist knowledge of weapons and vehicles are in the foreground. Military simulations are often either in the strategy and tactical game genre , where the player has to coordinate several units, or tactical shooters , where the player slips into the role of a soldier. Examples of military simulations are ArmA: Armed Assault , Blitzkrieg , Total War  ,  Civilization , Company of Heros , Operation: Flashpoint and Delta Force . Military vehicle simulations such as warships (e.g. World of Warships ) or tanks (e.g. World of Tanks ) can also be included in the genre. Military simulations are also used to recruit new soldiers, e.g. B. through the game America's Army or advertising of the Bundeswehr in social media and at Gamescom . Military simulations are also used in the training of soldiers. Civilian missions in crisis situations are called rescue simulation. The best-known example is the Emergency series.

Sports simulation

Pong from 1972 was one of the first computer games for the home market and simulated the tennis game.

A sports simulation (colloquially also sports game) is a computer game genre in which one or more players can virtually practice a sport. There are now several computer game counterparts for practically every sport. Popular sub-genres are the racing simulation and the soccer simulation . The real physical participation through a computer game is also known as exergaming .

Driving and airplane simulations

FlightGear , an example of a flight simulation

In vehicle simulations, the player has the opportunity to drive and adapt vehicles. In most cases, a realistic image that is as true to the original as possible in terms of technology , driving physics and control technology should be guaranteed. Control can be made more realistic, for example, using peripheral devices such as a steering wheel, pedals with a driver's seat or a joystick. Another important aspect is the faithful representation of machines and the possibility of adapting them through vehicle tuning . The competition either directly in a race or in a time trial is an important element of the racing simulation . In addition to racing simulations, the focus can also be placed on business operations with the vehicle. Vehicle simulations can be divided into

environment and nature

God simulation

Within these games, the player acts as a god (or in the case of Populous: The Beginning as a shaman ), whereby he usually has to lead a people to fame, prosperity and / or sole rule. The interaction with these people is often indirect, in that the god changes the environment or commands a creature, for example a giant ( Doshin the Giant ). Depending on your point of view, the god simulation is a strategy game or a special form of economic simulation , even if some features may differ. For example, in god simulations, unlike in pure economic simulations, acts of war are often part of the game. God simulations are mostly implemented as real-time strategy games. Utopia from 1981 for the Intellivision is often mentioned as the first god simulation .

Evolution simulation

In evolution simulation it is the player's task to accompany and influence the further development of living beings through evolution . For example, the player can unlock mutations through a skill tree . Well-known examples are Spore or Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey . Often these games are also strategy games or clicker games . There may be overlaps with the god simulation , although these games are based on creationism and less on evolutionary theory .

Other types of simulations

Simulation of real games

These are, for example, corporate , machine - or casino games , such as tabletop. B. pinball or chess that can be played on the computer or console. Making computer games available on one console for another platform through a special emulator is called emulation and not simulation.

Music game

Music games are not automatically simulation games, but they can simulate certain areas, such as playing a musical instrument , singing in the karaoke bar or dancing.

Simulator parody

Due to the wave of many simulation games on a wide variety of topics, this trend has been satirically and parodistically appreciated by some games . In these games, humor is more in the foreground than a realistic simulation. Well-known examples are the Goat Simulator , Octodad , I Am Bread and the Surgeon Simulator . While some parodies still meet the criteria of a computer game, the boundaries to non-game are fluid in other works .

Web links

literature

  • Rebecca Haar: Simulation and Virtual Worlds: Theory, Technology and Media Representation of Virtuality in Postmodernism . transcript Verlag, 2019, ISBN 978-3-8394-4555-6 .

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Danny Saunders, Jacqui Severn: Simulation and Games for Strategy and Policy Planning . Psychology Press, 1999, ISBN 978-0-7494-2956-0 ( google.com [accessed September 25, 2019]).
  2. ↑ K. Becker, JR Parker: The Guide to Computer Simulations and Games . John Wiley & Sons, 2012, ISBN 978-1-118-00923-9 ( google.de [accessed September 25, 2019]).
  3. ^ Daniel Peel: Classic gaming. Volume 3 . In: Gamesradar + . Bournemouth, ISBN 978-1-78389-385-0 .
  4. ^ Colecovision Zone Fortune Builder. Retrieved September 25, 2019 .
  5. ↑ Books LLC, General Books LLC: Life Simulation Games: Pet Society, Flow, Digital Pet, Life Simulation Game, Farmville, Cute Knight, Harvest Moon . General Books LLC, 2010, ISBN 978-1-156-66450-6 ( google.de [accessed September 25, 2019]).
  6. ↑ Source Wikipedia: Virtual Pet Video Games: 101 Shark Pets, Animal Paradise, Aqua Vita (Video Game), Creatures (Artificial Life Program), Creatures 2, Creatures 3, Digim . General Books, 2013, ISBN 978-1-230-81261-8 ( google.de [accessed September 25, 2019]).
  7. ^ Bill Loguidice, Matt Barton: Vintage Games: An Insider Look at the History of Grand Theft Auto, Super Mario, and the Most Influential Games of All Time . CRC Press, 2012, ISBN 978-1-136-13758-7 ( google.de [accessed September 25, 2019]).
  8. ↑ Job Simulators - Working in your free time | AZUBIYO. Retrieved August 26, 2019 .
  9. ↑ Harald Fränkel: Bauer sucht Spiel - Why job simulations are so successful. In: GameStar . April 6, 2010, accessed August 26, 2019 .
  10. ↑ Overview: 83 simulators for everyone! In: Computerbild . Retrieved August 26, 2019 .
  11. ↑ a b c d e f Tobias C. Breiner, Luca D. Kolibius: Computer games: Basics, psychology and applications . Springer-Verlag, 2019, ISBN 978-3-662-57895-7 , pp. 49 ff . ( google.de [accessed September 25, 2019]).
  12. ^ Spot On: Games get political - PC News at GameSpot. March 13, 2007, accessed September 25, 2019 .
  13. ↑ Stephen Jackson: Best Political Games To Play On PC in 2019. In: Gaming Respawn. May 4, 2019, Retrieved September 25, 2019 (UK English).
  14. ^ Ars Staff: From SimCity to, well, SimCity: The history of city-building games. October 11, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 2019 (American English).
  15. ^ War Games: Why Do We Love Playing at War. Retrieved September 25, 2019 .
  16. ↑ Military simulation. Retrieved September 25, 2019 (German).
  17. ^ Bundeswehr advertises military video games, October 9, 2010 (Peace Council). Retrieved August 26, 2019 .
  18. ↑ Julian Freudenhammer: US Army - Develops military simulation with CryEngine 3 (update). In: GameStar . December 22, 2011, accessed September 25, 2019 .
  19. ^ Artificial Life and Puzzle Games. Retrieved August 26, 2019 .
  20. ↑ Lisa Ludwig: We have sorted simulation games according to absurdity. In: Vice. November 12, 2018, accessed September 25, 2019 .
  21. ^ Christian Schiffer: Computer games - pointless simulations as a parody of a trend. In: Deutschlandfunk . Retrieved September 25, 2019 (German).