Video games tend to be seen as an escaping form of entertainment that allows us to get away from the troubles of everyday life and immerse ourselves in other fantastic cultures. So why would you want to play a game that simulates the banality of a “normal” existence, whatever it is?
This is because, of course, “ordinary” does not necessarily mean “boring”. And the game genres, collectively known as “life simulations,” prove this well, as anyone who liked any of the games we’re going to talk about today will approve. While the term “life simulation” is used as an umbrella definition, it is actually quite misleading because there are a variety of different interactive experiences that fall into this category – some better known than others.
Generally speaking, “life simulations” tend to be one of two different types: free-form sandbox simulators and stat-centered life simulations with a certain degree of “direction” about them, although there is some degree of overlap in most cases. Let’s take a look at both categories, including some important (and not very obvious) examples of both.
keep reading From the Archives: A Less Ordinary Life – Living a Virtual Life
