life simulation

English

Noun

life simulation (plural life simulations)

1. (video games) A subgenre of simulation game that replicates real-world systems or experiences (such as businesses, communities, ecosystems, or social relationships).

   Synonym: life sim

   • 1985 November, Chris Jenkins, “PCW Show: promises, promises!”, in Commodore Horizons, page 10:

     Activision's Autumn titles were up and running, and some Winter games were previewed, including Alter Ego, a "life simulation" game, and Fast Tracks, a slot car racing program.

   • 2010, Tristan Donovan, Replay: The History of Video Games‎^[1], page 157:

     Life simulations and dating games also influenced Yasuhiro Wada, the designer of the gentile farming sim series Harvest Moon, which first appeared in 1996 on the Super NES.

   • 2010, “Animal Crossing: Wild World”, in 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die‎^[2], page 610:

     While the mechanics changed very little in the DS version, Nintendo's snarky little life-simulation title [Animal Crossing] found its perfect ally.

   • For more quotations using this term, see Citations:life simulation.