Simulation Games: Origin, Variations and Importance

The simulation video game basically defines a diverse category of video games that are structured in order to closely simulate the activities of the real world. This type of game generally aims at imitating different activities from real life in the form of a game for numerous reasons like predictions, training, or simply entertainment.

According to reports, there are not generally no rigid attempts in the game, and the player instead is allowed to control a character or environment freely. Few examples of this genre are war games, business games, and role play simulation.

Facts Associated with Simulation Games

• The first-ever economic simulation game is said to be established in the year of 1964. And it was “The Sumerian Game”, which is a text-based early mainframe game brought forward and developed by Mabel Addis. It was based on the ancient Sumerian city-state of Lagash.
• Later, another simulation game, the “M.U.L.E” as designed by Danielle Bunten Berry came up in 1983.
• As per reports, during the 1980s there was a craze for arcade video games to include hydraulic motion simulator arcade cabinets. However, this trend was taken up by Sega, whose first game to use a motion simulator cabinet was “Space Tactics” (1981). It was a space combat simulator with a cockpit cabinet, where the screen moved in sync along with the on-screen action.
• The trend again surfaced when “Hang-On” was developed in 1985, which is a racing video game where the player sits on and moves a motorbike replica to control the in-game actions. Afterwards, the Suzuki’s team at Sega took it forward with hydraulic motion simulator cockpit cabinets for rail shooters like Space Harrier (1985), racing games like OutRun (1986), and combat flight simulators like After Burner (1987) and G-LOC: Air Battle (1990).
• However, during the mid 1980s the Oliver Twins and Codemasters introduced numerous games that included the word ‘simulator’ in their titles. Those games are “BMX Simulator” (1986), “Grand Prix Simulator” (1986), and “Pro Boxing Simulator” (1988).
• Another game titled; “Advanced Lawnmower Simulator” was released by Your Sinclair released in 1988. Moreover, games like “SimLife” and “SimEarth” were subsequently created, with the capability of teaching players the basics of global ecosystems and genetics.

Types of Simulation Games

Moreover, the various types of simulation games include Construction and management simulation (CMS), Life simulation, Sports and other types. 

Furthermore, simulation games are considered to make learning a better experience. This is because they might be able to relieve the tedium related with more conventional modes of instruction, because of their demand in increased participation, rather than just reading or discussing important concepts and ideas like discrimination, culture, stratification, and norms.

Simulation games are said to provide a better and insightful view of the world, as well as increase empathy for others and raise awareness of personal and interpersonal values. Thereby, such games can be helpful in order to improve the attitude of students toward classroom learning, self and environment. 

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