"Good jobs look a lot like kids playing and adults working." Mike Rowe"
Real Life Simulation
If you ever watch the channel or videos, I am sure you have seen one category explode in the last few years and that's simulation games. Originally led by the Publisher Payway for the majority of titles not called Truck Simulator, we have seen an incredible number of titles exploding into the market from Farming Sims to Collectable Card Game simulators and more, these titles let you dive into the simulated lives of drubbery and discards the hero complex we see in most titles.
Giants Software has exploded in recent years with Farming Simulator, Playway has unleashed titles like Thief Simulator and the Car Mechanic Simulator series.
Why they are working
These games enable players to explore complex systems and roles, from managing a farm to piloting an airplane, providing a sense of control and creativity.
I never knew that I wanted to mimic a dude fighting through traffic with tons of questionably aged lunch meats in the back of a big rigs container and then mimic sitting around waiting for some dude to get off his smoke break to unload me. But here we are.
Where Call of Duty Black Ops 6 lets you dive into the fictional life of an operator behind enemy lines, the fact remains that so many games do that, from budget to AAA yet Simulation games' appeal lies in the power to mimic real-world experiences, offering players the chance to engage in complex, hands-on activities without the real world cost or risks that crop up when trying to replace a combine part in a hot field. I've a sense of immersion and accomplishment in holistic simulations.
A Niche in a Niche
Games that cater to niche audiences or provide unique experiences, such as Train Sim World or PowerWash Simulator, also focus directly on fans of those specific activities and then, with some really smart marketing and fan awareness go on to create a relationship with the gamers that larger titles and those more enshrined in the market situations don't have the flexibility to do.
Breaking this out a moment
Players get to completely control the environments within most simulator games, at least to the depth that it reflects a more cohesive experience than a level loading into a shooting range killing enemies and then moving to the next level. Also no worries about actually getting up at 6 am or getting sewer goo flung into your half-opened mouth because you were asking a question as someone else was running the Unclogger 2000. Simulation games often provide extensive customization options, allowing players to design dream homes, repair vehicles, or dive into animal husbandry. Which is a sentence I never thought I would write.
Why now?
Curiosity. Curiosity is one of the highest primal drivers for activity and yet, game development didn't make it possible for games of these kinds to look, play, or simulate well enough to offer a return to developers in cost and a deep experience to gamers.
Curiosity has finally been rewarded by game development that can spend time creating environments that don't always have to be spaceships or universe simulations.
Curiosity about mundane jobs can drive a person to engage in them in game. Thin Safe from the costs of danger, time, resources, and the fact that none of us are Mike Row.
Small aside here, developers note as one of the driving factors for simulation games the Dirty Jobs TV show is noted as one of the driving factors for simulation games by developers for both their own interest in creating games and fans' realization that something so day-to-day can be enjoyable. for both their own interest in creating games and fans' realization that something so day-to-day can be enjoyable.
Curiosity plays a huge role in why gamers are drawn to simulator games.
We aren't talking about a DCS or a Flight Simulator here, because while those games are the grand daddies, it took mundane jobs to see the entire genre explode.
Discovery and Exploration: Simulator games provide a platform for players to discover new environments, mechanics, careers, and possibilities. In a game like Car Mechanic, a player can learn about basic car parts, repair, fitment, and placement of real-life counterpart items.
Learning and Skill Building: Many simulators, like farming or construction games, mimic real-life systems and processes. Curiosity about how these systems work in reality makes players more eager to engage with and understand complex mechanics, which they might not experience in real life.
Experimentation and Problem Solving: Simulator games encourage players to test out various approaches to tasks, exploring “what if” scenarios in a low-risk environment. This kind of curiosity-driven experimentation is rewarding, especially in games like House Flipper 2 which explores handling house damage from questionable parties or buildings in dangerous locations, supply needs, and more.
Self-Directed Goals: Many simulator games are open-ended, allowing players to set their own goals. This freedom appeals to curiosity, as players explore what they can do within the game's world and often return to discover new ways to achieve these goals.
Curiosity as a Motivation Loop: Simulator games often give players just enough information to understand the basics but leave plenty for them to figure out on their own. This keeps players curious about the next task, upgrade, or level, creating a loop where each achievement leads to further curiosity about what’s next.
From farming, urban planning, transportation management, delivery, construction, and even the underground world of drug dealing simulation titles of this kind created a genre all its own, that only in the last 3-5 years are being recognized by the general media.
Peripheral reuse
Where many titles have gone away from peripherals that a gamer may own and use for specific titles. Many of the simulator games embrace them but have the benefit of not being latched to a AAA developer's 5+ year development cycle. This gives more options for using or experimenting with ideas, equipment, and situations that other genres don't.
How Popular Are They?
Euro Truck Simulator 2: Between March 2023 and March 2024, this game was the most-watched simulator game across all streaming platforms, generating 40.8 million hours watched.
PowerWash Simulator: A study by Oxford University and Future lab revealed that 72% of PowerWash Simulator players reported an improvement in their mood while playing.
If those two titles alone don't speak for the crazy stretch of options available, then perhaps Collectable Trading Card Ship Simulator would or Drug Dealers Simulator 2.
Let's take a look at House Flipper.
House Flipper, developed by Frozen District and released in 2018, offered players the unique experience of buying, renovating, and selling homes. The game combines elements of simulation and strategy, allowing players to engage in tasks such as cleaning, painting, and interior decorating to transform dilapidated properties into desirable real estate. Its success has led to multiple DLCs and a sequel, House Flipper 2, released in December 2023.
The game sold over a million copies within a year of release, demonstrating strong market demand.
Is there something else deep down that is causing these to work?
Some Numbers to show how huge these games are-
The global gaming simulator market size was estimated at USD 6.87 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow over 13% by 2030.
If we combine titles in the Racing Simulator market, they are the largest revenue share in all simulator games.
The gaming simulator market in China is experiencing significant growth because of the country's technological advancements, manufacturing capabilities, and the increasing demand for immersive gaming experiences.
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