Simulation Games

For example, in an airplane flight simulation game, the software will accurately reproduce the experience of flying the plane. The user will have to consider all of the factors a pilot would need to evaluate – things like weather conditions, fuel levels and communications with ground control – as well as mastering a complex set of airplane controls. Of course, since a simulation can reproduce any type of activity, there are several sub-genres of simulation games.

Flying and Vehicles

Some of the most popular simulation games are flight simulators. The Microsoft Flight Simulator series is one of the most well-known and best-selling simulation games. The realistic PC computer game allows would-be pilots to fly with an interactive 3D cockpit that includes radios and avionics controls, as well as 3D flight environments, dynamic weather, a virtual GPS with color maps and interactive air traffic control. For those who want to fly, this simulator is the closest you can get to a cockpit without making it through airport security. There are other flight simulations on the market, featuring other types of aircraft including helicopters (for example, the popular Comanche series by developer/publisher Nova Logic. The reality of many of these products – some of which are even used as training tools by pilots – are further blurring the line between a simulation tool and games.

There are simulations for other types of vehicles as well. Some of the available products include train simulators, space flight simulation games, tank simulators and submarine games. Many racing games include simulation modes that allow the player to race with realistic car controls. Often, simulation games combine realistic vehicular control with combat situations.

Environment Simulators

From running your own medieval fiefdom to managing an amusement park, environment simulators allow you to build, manipulate people, animals and other resources and conduct business and politics as the god of your own private universe. Often, sims combine strategy game elements to allow players to progress and make choices that help their environments to excel.

Popular environment simulators include Roller Coaster Tycoon, a game that involves the management of entire amusement parks as well as the development of roller coasters. Sid Meier's Civilization allowed players to settle an environment with the intent of creating empires. Origin Games' space flight and combat simulation series Wing Commander is clearly a game with its fantastic environments, but offered simulation style play. Want to run your own fast food restaurant, mix rap songs in your own audio studio or play at fighting crime? Simulation games are on the market to do all of these things.

Creature Simulators

Creature simulators have a lot in common with environment simulators; however, they focus more on the living creatures involved than on the non-living resources.

Electronic Arts' series of games The Sims (developed by subsidiary Maxis) has been one of the best-selling simulations and, in fact has been more popular than most computer games. In The Sims, players control the daily lives of virtual people, affecting when and how they sleep, eat and cook. Instead of having a specific game goal, the player is encouraged to experiment and play in the simulated environment.

Other popular creature simulators include Petz a game that allows users to care for a variety of virtual pets and Creatures. Standalone creature simulators such as the Tamagotchi virtual pet fall in this category, too.