Simulation game

Some simulation games are intended to simulate the real world; others are intended to simulate a fictional world; still others are designed to be able to do both.

Online games

Online Simulation games are usually geared towards children and teens but attract adults of all ages. These typically include browser based games and massive multiplayer online games (mmorpgs) the second of which requires you to download software to your computer before you can login and start playing. These online games can generate hundreds of millions of hits a day and their unique online interactivity keeps people entertained for hours. Although the sterotype is that games are male dominated, online browser based games are over 85% female players.

Table-top and computer simulation games

Simulation games have been played with pencil and paper for many years. Maps are drawn on paper and cardboard counters or metal figures represent the characters or military units. The players may all be on the same side, or they may be on two or more opposing sides. A referee decides what is done by characters who are not controlled by players, and resolves situations which are not covered by the rules.

Genres of computer simulation games

Online games that must be played online or through a browser window
Vehicular simulators generally attempt a realistic representation of how to drive a certain vehicle. Flight simulators and Racing games are typical examples.
Role-playing games and skirmish war games are played on an individual scale; each player controls one or a few characters.
Tactical war games and operational war games simulate small-scale battles, typically involving a few hundred or at most a few thousand soldiers, and are commonly real-time tactics or turn-based tactics games.
Strategic war games simulate large-scale battles, campaigns, and entire wars. Grand strategy war games and nation-simulation games allow the players to control nations. Due to their scale they are commonly of the turn-based strategy type.
In god games players represent an entity with supernatural powers. It can be argued that god games are a border category within simulator games because it is unclear how to simulate being God.
In life simulator games, which sometimes overlap god games, a virtual life, career, etc. is simulated.
Economic simulation games present players with aspects or the entirety of an economy or a business. A specialised sub-type is the city-building game genre.
Real-time strategy games combine stylised aspects of wargaming with economic simulation games.
Dating sims are meant to simulate a relationship or friendship.
While relatively few in number, pet-raising simulations are becoming more widespread, especially with the release of the title Nintendogs, though earlier pet sims exist, such as the Nakayoshi Pet Advance series on Game Boy Advance, and Tamagotchi.

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Online games

Table-top and computer simulation games

Genres of computer simulation games

See also