Social simulation game

Social simulation games are a subgenre of life simulation game that explore social interations between multiple artificial lives. The most famous example from this genre is The Sims series of games.cite web | last = Wright | first = Will | title = Presentation: Sculpting Possibility Space | url =http://itc.conversationsnetwork.org/shows/detail376.html | format =HTML | accessdate =2008-03-16 ]

History

Influences and origins

When "The Sims" was released in 2000, it had been called "almost the only game of its kind"cite book|last=Rollings|first=Andrew|authorlink=|coauthors=Ernest Adams|title=Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game Design|publisher=New Riders Publishing|date=2003|location=|pages=477-487|url=http://safari.adobepress.com/1592730019/ch16|doi=|id=|isbn=1592730019] . But there are several important precursors to "The Sims" and the social simulation genre. Firstly, the game's creator Will Wright acknowledges the influence of "Little Computer People"cite web | last =Wright | first =Will | title =A chat about the "The Sims" and "SimCity" | publisher =CNN | url =http://www.cnn.com/chat/transcripts/2000/1/wright/index.html | format =HTML | accessdate =2008-03-18 ] , a Commodore 64 game from 1985. The games are similar, although "The Sims" is described as a richer gameplay experience. Secondly, Will Wright acknowledged the influence of dollhouses on "The Sims"cite web | last = Keighley | first = Geoff | title = Gamespot - Simply Divine: The Story of Maxis Software | url = http://www.gamespot.com/features/maxis/page11.html | format =HTML | accessdate =2008-03-18 ] , a comparison that has since been repeated. This has informed the gameplay of this emerging genre.

"Animal Crossing" was released in 2001 for the Nintendo 64 in Japan. While released towards the end of the life cycle of the Nintendo 64, it developed a following that led to it being ported to the Nintendo Gamecube and released throughout the world. As the game's popularity has surged, this series has also been described as a social simulation gamecite web | last = Felix | first = Chef | title = Animal Crossing Wild World Review | url = http://www.modojo.com/reviews/ds/animal_crossing_wild_world/20051206/180/ | format = HTML | accessdate = 2008-03-18 ] cite web | last = | first = | title = Anti-Cheating Proposed Guidelines | url = http://www.pineight.com/rant/acpg/cheating | format =HTML | accessdate =2008-03-18 ]

Since the success of these games in the early 2000s, game reviewers have begun to refer to similar games as belonging to a social simulation game genre.

Recent history

Several other social simulation games have emerged to capitalize on the success of "The Sims". This includes several sequels and expansion packs, as well games like "" with heavy similarities.cite web | last = Butts | first = Steve | title = Review: Singles - Flirt up your life | url = http://pc.ign.com/articles/519/519270p1.html | format =HTML | accessdate =2008-03-20 ]

Examples

* "Little Computer People"
* "Alter Ego"
* ""
* The Sims series
* ""

ee also

* Social simulation

References