What Are “Sims”?
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For many people, when they hear the word “Sims” they instantly think of the series by EA/Maxis. For me, however, this goes much deeper as I consider the genre as a whole.
sim noun
informal, sims plural
a type of computer game that is designed to simulate (= represent) real conditions or an aspect of real life
Sims games are short for simulations. There are numerous games such as tycoons (think Rollercoaster Tycoon, ZooTycoon, etc) that are simulation games and not related to the titular The Sims/SimCity lines. While much of this website focuses on The Sims as a series, the larger goal is respective of the entire genre, and thus when I say “Sims” without “the” I am referring to all simulation games.
Simulation video games are a diverse super-category of video games, generally designed to closely simulate real world activities. A simulation game attempts to copy various activities from real life in the form of a game for various purposes such as training, analysis, prediction, or entertainment. Usually there are no strictly defined goals in the game, and the player is allowed to control a character or environment freely.” (Wikipedia)
It’s important to note that some definitions of simulators also include fantasy elements such as monsters or sci-fi.
The computer simulation genre has captivated audiences since the 1980s, and have been a staple since the beginning of the gaming industry. I can’t even say which games are my favourite because there are so many that I enjoy whole-heartedly. There is something deeply satisfying about taking real-world concepts and letting your imagination run wild with them. I think it’s important to consider the industry as a whole and not only consider The Sims when we talk about simulations, because sims are truly an incredible genre of gaming with some incredibly unique takes.
As VR becomes more viable and even more realistic, we’re also going to see simulation games that are truly remarkable come to the market. While fantasy settings can be enjoyable, sometimes we find joy in the simply mundane parts of like. Some simulators can even be used as learning tools. There are games for learning how to fix computers and games for learning how to fix cars. Flight and driving simulators are incredibly useful tools before getting behind the wheel.
The following is a reprinted list of simulation games:
Social simulation
- Animal Crossing series
- The Sims series
- The Sims (2000)
- The Sims: Livin’ Large (2000)
- The Sims: House Party (2001)
- The Sims: Hot Date (2001)
- The Sims: Vacation (2002)
- The Sims: Unleashed (2002)
- The Sims: Superstar (2003)
- The Sims: Makin’ Magic(2003)
- The Sims 2 (2004)
- The Sims 2: University (2005)
- The Sims 2: Nightlife (2005)
- The Sims 2: Open for Business (2006)
- The Sims 2: Pets (2006)
- The Sims 2: Seasons (2007)
- The Sims 2: Bon Voyage (2007)
- The Sims 2: FreeTime (2008)
- The Sims 2: Apartment Life (2009)
- The Sims 3 (2009)
- The Sims 3: World Adventures (2009)
- The Sims 3: Ambitions (2010)
- The Sims 3: Late Night (2010)
- The Sims 3: Generations (2011)
- The Sims 3: Pets (2011)
- The Sims 3: Showtime (2012)
- The Sims 3: Supernatural (2012)
- The Sims 3: Seasons (2012)
- The Sims 3: University Life (2012)
- The Sims 3: Island Paradise (2013)
- The Sims 3: Into the Future (2013)
- The Sims 4 (2014)
- The Sims 4: Get to Work (2015)
- The Sims 4: Get Together (2015)
- The Sims 4: City Living (2016)
- The Sims 4: Cats & Dogs (2017)
- The Sims 4: Seasons (2018)
- The Sims 4: Get Famous (2018)
- The Sims 4: Island Living (2019)
- The Sims 4: Discover University (2019)
- The Sims 4: Eco Lifestyle (2020)
- The Sims 4: Snowy Escape (2020)
- Singles series
- Singles: Flirt Up Your Life
- Singles 2: Triple Trouble
- Space Colony
- Trust & Betrayal: The Legacy of Siboot
- Stardew Valley
- Viva Piñata series
- Viva Piñata (2006)
- Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise (2008)
- Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise (2008)
- Wall Street Kid
Airport management
- Airline Tycoon (series)
- (1998) Airline Tycoon
- (2001) Airline Tycoon First Class
- (2002) Airline Tycoon Evolution
- (2003) Airline Tycoon Deluxe
- (2011) Airline Tycoon 2
- SimPort
City-building
- Anno (series)
- (1998) Anno 1602 (in the US and Australia released as 1602 A.D.)
- (2003) Anno 1503 (known in the US as 1503 A.D.: The New World)
- (2006) Anno 1701
- (2007) Anno 1701: The Sunken Dragon
- (2007) Anno 1701: Dawn of Discovery
- (2009) Anno 1404, known in North America as Dawn of Discovery
- (2009) Anno 1404: Venice
- (2009) Anno: Create A New World
- (2011) Anno 2070
- (2013) Anno Online
- (2015) Anno 2205
- (2019) Anno 1800
- Cities XL series
- Cities XL
- Cities XL 2011
- Cities XL 2012
- Cities: Skylines (2015)
- Constructor (video game) – PC (1997)
- Islanders (video game) – PC (2019)
- RimWorld
- The SimCity series – PC (1989–present)
- SimCity
- SimCity 2000
- SimCity 3000
- SimCity 4
- SimCity 5
- Surviving Mars – 2018
- Minecraft
- Outpost
- Outpost 2
- Townscaper – 2020
- Utopia: The Creation of a Nation – 1991
God games
- Black & White – 2001
- Black and White 2 – 2005
- Dyson Sphere Program – 2021
- From Dust
- Godus
- Reus – 2013
- Afterlife
Government simulation
- Balance of Power
- Commander in Chief
- Masters of the World (video game)
- CyberJudas
- Democracy series
- Democracy
- Democracy 2
- Democracy 3
- eRepublik
- Floor 13
- Geo Political Simulator series
- Global Domination
- Hidden Agenda
- President Elect
- President Forever 2008 + Primaries
- The Cardinal of the Kremlin
- The Global Dilemma: Guns or Butter
- The Political Machine
- Tropico series
- Tropico
- Tropico 2
- Tropico 3
- Tropico 4
- Tropico 5
- Tropico 6
- Europa Universalis series
- Europa Universalis
- Europa Universalis II
- Europa Universalis III
- Europa Universalis: Rome
- Europa Universalis IV
- Superpower series
- Superpower
- Superpower 2
Baseball
- Baseball Mogul series
- Diamond Mind Baseball series
- MicroLeague Baseball
- Out of the Park Baseball series
- PureSim Baseball series
- PureSim Baseball 2007
Football (American)
- Football Mogul series
- Front Office Football series
- Front Page Sports Football
- Madden NFL series
- Madden NFL ’95
- Madden NFL ’96
- NFL Head Coach
Hockey
- Eastside Hockey Manager series
- Eastside Hockey Manager
- NHL Eastside Hockey Manager
- NHL Eastside Hockey Manager 2005
- NHL Eastside Hockey Manager 2007
- Franchise Hockey Manager
Racing
- Formula One series
- F1 series (Codemasters)
- Grand Prix Manager series
- Grand Prix Manager
- Grand Prix Manager 2
- Grand Prix World
- Motorsport Manager
Bus simulation
- The Bus
- Bus Driver
- Bus Simulator 16
- Bus Simulator 18
- Bus Simulator 21
- City Bus Simulator
- Desert Bus
- Fernbus Simulator
- Tourist Bus Simulator
Tank simulation
- World War II Online (2001–2012, virtual battlefield)
- M4 (1992)
- Panzer Front
- Steel Beasts
- Steel Fury
- Wild Metal Country (A.K.A. Wild Metal)
- World of Tanks
- War Thunder
Truck simulation
- 18 Wheels of Steel series
- American Truck Simulator
- Hard Truck series
- King of the Road
- Euro Truck Simulator
- Euro Truck Simulator 2
- German Truck Simulator
- UK Truck Simulator
- Rig ‘n’ Roll
- Rigs of Rods
- Street Cleaning Simulator
- Spintires
- MudRunner
- SnowRunner
Flight simulation
- Ace Combat series
- Air Combat
- Ace Combat 2
- Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere
- Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies
- Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War
- Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation
- Ace Combat Advance
- Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception
- Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War
- Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
- Su-27 Flanker (video game)
- Flanker 2.0
- Flanker 2.5
- Lock On: Modern Air Combat
- Digital Combat Simulator
- Falcon series
- Falcon 4.0
- Falcon 4.0: Allied Force
- FlightGear
- Fly! series
- Fly!
- Fly! II
- Flight Unlimited series
- Flight Unlimited
- Flight Unlimited II
- Flight Unlimited III
- IL-2 Sturmovik series
- Kerbal Space Program
- Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator series
- Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator
- Combat Flight Simulator 2
- Combat Flight Simulator 3: Battle for Europe
- SubLogic Flight Simulator series
- FS1 Flight Simulator
- Flight Simulator II (Sublogic)
- Microsoft Flight Simulator series
- Flight Simulator 1.0
- Flight Simulator 2.0
- Flight Simulator 3.0
- Flight Simulator 4.0
- Flight Simulator 5.0
- Flight Simulator 5.1
- Flight Simulator 95
- Flight Simulator 98
- Flight Simulator 2000
- Flight Simulator 2002
- Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight
- Microsoft Flight Simulator X
- Microsoft Flight
- Flight Simulator 2020
- Microsoft Space Simulator
- X-Plane series
Farming Simulation
- Farming Simulator
Ship simulation
- Ship Simulator series
- Ship Simulator Extremes
- Virtual Sailor
- Deadliest Catch: Alaskan Storm
- World of Warships (2015)
Racing simulation
- ARCA Sim Racing
- Assetto Corsa Series
- Assetto Corsa
- Assetto Corsa Competizione
- Codemasters F1 Series
- F1 2010
- F1 2011
- F1 2012
- F1 2013
- F1 2014
- F1 2015
- F1 2016
- F1 2017
- F1 2018
- F1 2019
- F1 2020
- F1 2021
- Colin McRae Rally Series
- Colin McRae Rally
- Colin McRae Rally 2.0
- Colin McRae Rally 3
- Colin McRae Rally 04
- Colin McRae Rally 2005
- Dirt Series
- Colin McRae: Dirt
- Colin McRae: Dirt 2
- Dirt 3
- Dirt 4
- Dirt 5
- Dirt: Showdown
- Dirt Rally
- Dirt Rally 2.0
- EA Sports F1 Series
- F1 Challenge ’99–’02
- Enthusia Professional Racing
- Forza Motorsport Series
- Forza Motorsport
- Forza Motorsport 2
- Forza Motorsport 3
- Forza Motorsport 4
- Forza Motorsport 5
- Forza Motorsport 6
- Forza Motorsport 7
- Geoff Crammond’s Grand Prix Series
- Formula One Grand Prix
- Grand Prix 2
- Grand Prix 3
- Grand Prix 3 2000
- Grand Prix 4
- Gran Turismo (series) Series
- Gran Turismo
- Gran Turismo 2
- Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
- Gran Turismo Concept
- Gran Turismo 4 Prologue
- Gran Turismo 4
- Gran Turismo HD Concept
- Gran Turismo 5 Prologue
- Gran Turismo 5
- Gran Turismo 6
- Gran Turismo Sport
- Grand Prix Legends
- GT Legends
- GTR Series
- GTR – FIA GT Racing Game
- GTR – FIA GT Racing Game 2
- Indianapolis 500: The Simulation
- IndyCar Racing Series
- IndyCar Racing
- IndyCar Racing II
- com
- Live For Speed
- Mobil 1 Rally Championship
- NASCAR Racing Series
- NASCAR Racing
- NASCAR Racing 2
- NASCAR Grand National Series Expansion Pack
- NASCAR Legends
- NASCAR Racing 1999 Edition
- NASCAR Craftsman Truck Racing
- NASCAR Racing 3
- NASCAR Racing 4
- NASCAR Racing 2002 Season
- NASCAR Racing 2003 Season
- NASCAR Heat Series
- NASCAR Heat
- NASCAR: Dirt to Daytona
- netKar Pro
- Project CARS series
- Project CARS
- Project CARS 2
- Project CARS 3
- Need For Speed Series
- RACE Series
- RACE – The Official WTCC Game
- RACE 07 – The Official WTCC Game
- Formula Raceroom
- GTR Evolution
- STCC – The Game
- rFactor Series
- rFactor
- rFactor 2
- Richard Burns Rally
Submarine simulation
- 688 Attack Sub
- Jane’s Combat Simulations: 688(I) Hunter/Killer
- Aces of the Deep
- AquaNox
- Dangerous Waters
- Enigma: Rising Tide
- Gato (computer game)
- The Hunt for Red October (1987)
- Red Storm Rising
- SSN-21 Seawolf
- Shells of Fury
- Silent Hunter
- Silent Hunter II
- Silent Hunter III
- Silent Hunter 4: Wolves of the Pacific
- Silent Hunter 4: The U-Boat Missions (add-on expansion pack)
- Silent Hunter 5: Battle of the Atlantic
- Silent Service (video game)
- Silent Service II
- Silent Steel
- Sub Battle Simulator
- Sub Command
- Tom Clancy’s SSN
- Treasures of the Deep
- WolfPack
- Sub Hunt
Train simulations
- Mini Metro
- Microsoft Train Simulator
- OpenBVE
- Train Fever
- Train Simulator 2013
- Trainz Simulator 12
- Train Simulator
- Train Sim World
- World of Subways
- Densha de Go!
Trade simulation
- Discovery: In the Steps of Columbus
- High Seas Trader
- Merchant Prince series
- Merchant Prince
- Machiavelli: The Prince
- Merchant Prince II
- The Patrician
- Patrician II: Quest for Power
- Patrician III
- Port Royale 2
- Uncharted Waters series
- Uncharted Waters
- Uncharted Waters: New Horizons
- Mobile Uncharted Waters II
- Daikoukai Jidai Gaiden
- Daikoukai Jidai III: Costa Del Sol
- Daikoukai Jidai IV: Porto Estado
- Daikoukai Jidai IV: Rota Nova
- Uncharted Waters Online
- Uncharted Waters Online La Frontera
- Trade Empires
Medical simulation
- Emergency Room series
- Hospital Tycoon
- LifeSigns: Surgical Unit
- Life & Death
- Life & Death II: The Brain
- Plague Inc.
- Theme Hospital
- Trauma Center series
- Trauma Center: Under the Knife
- Trauma Center: Second Opinion
- Trauma Center: New Blood
- Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2
- Trauma Team
- Surgeon Simulator 2013
- Microsurgeon (video game)
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