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"Simulation"

Why is gaming so special to all of us? Why is it so addictive? Why do we spend all of our hard-earned (or in my case, easily-earned,) money on boxes with electronic stuff inside them, and CDs/DVDs/Catridges/Mini-Discs which generate simulations on our TV Screen?

I’m not going to say, “Oh, because it’s fun,” although it is, and I’m not going to say, “Oh, it’s a challenge,” or, “something to do when we’re bored.” These may be true, but it’s not what I’m really trying to say here. I think the word ‘Simulation,’ comes into play quite a lot here. Basically, most games are simulations of something-whether it be sports, driving, an Army simulation, God sims and even simulations of being some sort of Commander (real-time strategy games such as Command and Conquer.)

But some games don’t fall into any of those categories. Games like…well, quite a lot of shooters such as Metal Gear Solid and Red Faction, and also futuristic games like Zone Of The Enders, Metroid and Deus Ex. What simulations could these be classed as? Well, I guess there are a few stealth assassins out there like Solid Snake. Is there a name for that sort of simulation? A stealth-sim? Maybe, but there aren’t enough of these sorts of games to actually give it a name like that. But still, it’s a simulation of some kind. What would you class Perfect Dark as? Perhaps PDark, as well as other sci-fi shooters like Aliens vs Predator AREN’T simulations, as do you ever hear about people going round killing aliens called Elvis? Do you ever hear about hundreds of aliens with green blood, a strange, blood-crazy creature and some Soldiers battling it out? No, not really. These don’t happen in real life (although, you never know, do you? {)

But for the moment, we shall ignore those games. Put them to one side for a bit, and concentrate on games that are actual simulations of real life. Why do people love to play games? Because in a video game, you can be a Formula 1 driver! In a video game, you can be something many boys (and girls as well, no sexism on these forums,) have wished to be since they saw Manchester United take on Liverpool that day back when they were 3 years old-proffesional footballers. You can become a member of the Army in video games, taking part in wars and battles-in which you personally won’t be killed, but perhaps your character will. In a game, you can become mythical creatures, a manager of a football team, a Jedi Knight (okay, so perhaps there aren’t Jedis in real life, but it’d still be cool to be one,) a pilot, God, almost anything!

A boy loves Formula 1, and wants to become an F1 driver for Ferrari when he’s older. He can all he wants for it, but most of the time, he wouldn’t achieve this. Perhaps if he’s lucky, or very talented, but it’s not likely. What’s the closest he’s going to get without sneaking into Ferrari HQ and driving off in Michael Schumacer’s car? In my opinion, playing a Formula 1 game is the closest he’s going to get. Okay, he can drive karts, but the closest he’s going to get to being an actual Formula 1 driver, is playing an F1 simulation.

The same goes for most sports, with proffesional footballers being the most popular one. Only the very lucky and the very talented get to become players for their favourite Premiership club. Okay, you can play for your local team, but it would be nothing compared to the Premiership.

Are you ever going to get the chance to be God? Unless you create your own tiny intelligent species with your own hands, then the answer’s no. But with games such as Black and White, you can become God-at least to a reasonable extent.

I believe that most games are based on simulations. Creating an experience for the player that he/she is not likely to get in real life. In video games, you can become almost anything. And as technology continues to develop, and as most games become more and more realistic, hopefully these experiences will at some point be nearly as good as real life.

Thanks for reading, Ant.

I like to see realism in games and think that more games should contain an option to add "Simulation" style elements to the gameplay.

I hate it when the character you are playing in a game can take 20 rounds from a pistol, 10 shells from a shotgun and still be alive. Then he takes some magical potion and all of a sudden everything is "Peachy".

I think that in racing games (Grand Prix, GP500, Superbike 2001 etc) there should be a total realism option where if you were to go out of a season race through an accident, then you might get injured and have to miss the next race or two (maybe even worse results for a major accident). You should be able to race (after all thats what you have spent your money on when purchasing the game) but you should race under a stand in drivers/riders name and not score points towards the championship.

In B17 your team can get injured or killed and this adds an element to the game that makes you connect more with the whole experience.

In Operation Flashpoint, one shot often kills you and you loose members of the squad on most missions.

I think that this is a step in the right direction when trying to create an interactive experience. It interacts with you on another level.

Darkness_2K wrote:
> *Ant wets himself as he realises that over half the replies are by OTHER
> people*

:D

Yes, I was very pleased about that. {:)

My God!

*Ant wets himself as he realises that over half the replies are by OTHER people*

:D

Turbonutter wrote:
> MGS2 is most definitely a simulation.

A simulation is defined as something
> that simulates its subject. If you actually were a stealth operative, you would
> go about it in (probably) exactly the same way as Snake does. MGS2 has true
> physics, realistic gameplay and advanced AI, just like real life
> does.

>Therefore, MGS2 is a simulation.

Yep, that's what I was arguing with Darkness about. Looks like I was right. ;)

Thanks for the reply Vektor, that's exactly what I was saying. It may not be the real thing, but it's possible the closest you're gonna get...

Turbonutter wrote:
> Meh, and I just thought I played games because I was bored...

MNah, you've got too understand Robin. Gaming isn't just like a hobby. We all have reasons for playing them. Some completely different to others. I tend to play them to get stress out.....FPS that is. I play Racing games for a rush of adrenaline. Many many reasons. Gaming is a philosophy, not a hobby :D

VKTR

Meh, and I just thought I played games because I was bored...

Gaming.....why do we do it? Escapism for most of us I would say, but why restrict this too games that allow us to do things we can't do in real life. Such as shooting down terrorists from a mile away with a sniper rifle. Now unless your some sort of crack squad member yor not going to be doing this regularily/not get arrested for it....so when can you do it? In games of course. But of course its not just the finer things in life (not in life) that we do in games. We also get the chance to life our dreams of being famous in a way by playing the games that you are writing about Ant.....simulations.

Simulations are a fine thing if your into them. They give us the chance to do the things that are possible in life, but the thing in life that need dedication, they need the drive for you too succeed. Just a few examples are sports sims and racing sims. They give you the chance to realise your dream without the hassle of actually going out and trying yourself ;)

"I wanna be a footie player mummy" how many times have I heard a little kid say this? Hundreds that how many. Many young children dream of playing in the premier league, but how many actually make it. Very few and the rest? They just end up playing in their local team for a while before eventually realisin that if the truth be told they aren't going to become the famous superstar fooballer with the beautiful wife that they first thought. This is where simulations come into play.

Not being able to do it for real again, but to a lesser extreme games give us the chance to do what we always wanted. In this example play football in the premier league...hey, you could even play for a foreign team if you wanted. They give us freedom, they allow us to do the unlikely, they enable us to live our dreams.

VKTR

MGS2 is most definitely a simulation.

A simulation is defined as something that simulates its subject. If you actually were a stealth operative, you would go about it in (probably) exactly the same way as Snake does. MGS2 has true physics, realistic gameplay and advanced AI, just like real life does.

Therefore, MGS2 is a simulation.

A game like MGS in virtual reality would be brilliant...

Creeping around corners, trying not to make any noise and keeping out of sight from the guards...great stuff.

But as you said Darkness, MGS is not s true simulation. Which we were supposed to talk about here...unfortunately...