Simulation Games Made Simple

23.01.2008

If you have only just discovered the world of online gaming, there is no doubt you would have at least a few questions to ask. The questions are bound to come, considering there are so many games and so many unfamiliar terms. However, do not bother yourself too much with them.

As you begin to play and interact with other players you will get to learn a lot and most of your doubts and misgivings will vanish. However, the world of online gaming becomes less intimidating and more enjoyable if you have a basic understanding of what goes on.

To understand simulation games, it is a good idea to start with the basics. What is a simulation game and how does it work? A simulation game is a genre of games that aims to recreate an experience from the real world as realistically as possible in a virtual environment. Basically, what this means is a simulation game, or a sim, is designed such that it simulates or imitates a real-life situation.

To play a simulation game, you must have quite a few ingredients, an important one being skill. You also must have strategy. Over time, playing simulation games can be addictive and at the same time, immensely enjoyable. As you play more, you get better at it, and the urge to better your previous performance can be really addictive.

While playing simulation games, as a player you must attempt to either recreate a past event or develop something that will happen in the future. Building a fort in Age of Empires is a recreation of the past, whereas in Moon Tycoon, the attempt is to build a colony in outer space, a simulation of something that could happen in the future.

There are several sub genres within sims; so finding something that appeals to you would not be very difficult. Let us take a look at some of the different types of games that are available, to give you a better idea of sims.

A very popular genre of simulations is the flight simulation. A flight sim is a game where the player gets to fly just about any kind of aircraft that exists. These games have advanced rapidly over the past few years and today, these games have a seemingly endless number of playing options. The superior quality of graphics, along with the high level of realism, ensures that you become a fan in no time.

Another genre is called the racing sim. Racing sims recreate the feel of racing powerful cars around scenic race tracks. The realistic element comes from the fact that many of these tracks exist in real life. The games have a wide variety of choices and the realism of the setting has to be seen to be believed. You can play these games in multi-player modes. Multi-player modes let you connect to other players in a LAN over the Internet. Non-stop action makes these games a must-play for those who like machines and the smell of burnt rubber.

For those of you who prefer a slower pace, there is a third genre, the city building simulation. These games require a player to design and build a city. Making laws and collecting taxes and helping to make a successful community is something that appeals to the empire builder in all of us, and that is what these games test you about.

You can also play business simulation games. These are similar to city building games, the difference being they focus more on the economic aspect of life. Business simulation games, as the name suggests require you to build a business from scratch and learn to run it successfully. You score on how well you are able to do it.

Life sims are games that simulate life. There are many different kinds of games on offer. Depending on the one you choose you could wind up playing a life game that is similar to your own. Alternatively, you could choose to become God. The ultimate goal of the game remains the same – have fun.