Simulation video games

A simulation video game refers to a smaller category of video games that are specially designed to simulate certain concepts that are either real or sometimes, fiction.  When the simulated game copies things from real life scenarios, the purpose is usually for learning and training but entertainment is still an important factor in the design and development of simulation video games.

Apart from training and entertainment, simulation video games can also be used analysis and prediction of real life situations. In a typical simulation video game, there are no strict goals that have been predefined in the game. On the contrary, players are often allowed to control their character as they please.

There are manner of simulation video games out there but most of them fall into three broad categories namely business games, war games, and role playing games. However, there are also various hybrid video simulation games that might not necessarily fit in any of these categories. A good example is the simulation video games that are solely designed to be used as case studies in various business applications.

There is an ongoing debate among academicians on which teaching techniques are more effective and  while there are some that argue that traditional teaching tools are more effective, there is no denying that simulations save time, money and more importantly, it allows for the learners to interact with complicated concepts in a more simplified and safe environment.

The history of simulation games is a bit blurry. Some experts believe simulations can be traced back to Will Wright in the year 1989 while others believe that the true father of video game simulation was Colecovision’s Fortune builder, a game that was released in the year 1984. Either way, simulation games have been improved upon over the years and we now have complex simulation games that cover almost every imaginable field.

The applications of simulation games are humongous. For instance, a study based on teenager that played SimCity found that the teens had a greater appreciation of the work the government does after interacting with the simulated environment for a couple of months. One can argue that the game helped them grasp the complexities of running government and the challenges that come with the task.

Popular genres

Some of the popular video simulation game genres include:

·         Management and Construction – allows the players to construct, manage and expand fictional societies using limited resources.

·         Sportssimulations – these are simulations that are based on some sports. Examples include formula one, football, basketball, pool etc.

·         War game simulations – simulations that recreated historical or even fictional war scenarios.

·         Lifesimulations – this is a genre that allows the gamers to invent their own fictional life.  This is a great genre for those that are feeling disillusioned with their current life as it is and are craving a chance to try out a new life.

·         Vehicles simulations - This genre simulates different types of vehicles including busses, race cars, trucks etc.

·         Social and dating simulations – this genre simulates various social constructs and some of them even solely focus on the dating sub-genre.