Abstract
The advanced computational capabilities in modern personal computers have made it possible for consumers to experience simulations with a high degree of verisimilitude through simulation games (a.k.a. Sims). In recent years, the cross-boundary technology exchange between game and simulation technology, along with other factors, has contributed to the confusion as to what makes a simulation game and what makes a simulator. This article provides a user's and designer's perspective on a definitive comparison of the similarities and differences between games in general, simulation games, and simulators. It also introduces a method that can be easily used to distinguish games and simulation games from simulators by using observable design characteristics. On the other hand, the convergence of functionality and technology in simulation games and simulators has created new applications of simulation. One such application is in serious games. Serious games and simulation games are confusingly similar in many ways. However, they greatly differ in functionality. This article also provides a method to distinguish serious games from simulation games, to clarify the strict categorization between these two applications of simulation.
- AllWords 2005. Definition of entertaining. http://www.allwords.com/word-entertain-ing.html, Accessed Sept. 10, 2005.Google Scholar
- Balachandran, A., Rabuya, L.C., Shinde, S., And Takalkar, A. 2000. Introduction to modeling and simulation systems: Historical perspectives. http://www.uh.edu/~lcr3600/simulation/historical.html. Accessed Aug. 15, 2005.Google Scholar
- Banks, J. And Carson, J.S. 1984. Discrete-Event System Simulation. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1984.Google Scholar
- Bayarri, S., Fernandez, M., And Perez, M. 1996. Virtual reality for driving simulation. Commun. ACM 39, 5 (May 1996), 72-76. Google ScholarDigital Library
- BrainyDictionary. 2005. Definition of interesting. http://www.brainydictionary.com/words/in/interesting179688.html. Accessed Aug. 30, 2005.Google Scholar
- Breakaway. 2003. Peloponnesian war. http://www.socialimpactgames.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=84&mode=thread&order=1&thold=0. Accessed Sept. 10, 2005.Google Scholar
- Brougere, G. 1999. Some elements relating to children's play and adult simulation/gaming. Simulation & Gaming 30, 2 (1999), 134-146. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Codemasters. 1990. Pro tennis simulator. http://www.thelegacy.de/Museum/1295/. Accessed Sept. 10, 2005.Google Scholar
- DDRFreak. 2005. DDRFreak. http://www.ddrfreak.com/aboutddr.php. Accessed Aug.15, 2005.Google Scholar
- DEC. 2005. Digital Equipment Corporation VAX. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Equipment_Corporation#VAX_Computer_series, Accessed Sept. 10, 2005.Google Scholar
- Deyo, R., Briggs, J., And Doenges, P. 1988. Getting graphics in gear - Graphics and dynamics in driving simulation. In Proceedings of the 15th Annual Conference on Computer Graphics and Interactive techniques (SIGGRAPH 98) . ACM, New York, 317-326. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Eckberg, B. 2005. Gran Tourismo 4, Gamespot. http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/driving/granturismo4/review-4.html. Accessed March 30, 2005.Google Scholar
- ElectronicArts. 2005. TheSims2.com. http://thesims2.ea.com/. Accessed Sept. 10, 2005.Google Scholar
- Epic. 2005. Unreal tournament, epic game developers. http://www.unreal.epicgames.com. Accessed March 30, 2005.Google Scholar
- ESI. 2004. PAM-CRASH 2G. http://www.esi-group.com/SimulationSoftware/NumericalSimulation/features.html. Accessed Sept. 10, 2005.Google Scholar
- eSimGames. 2004. Steel beast professional. http://www.steelbeasts.com/. Accessed Sept.10, 2005.Google Scholar
- F4HQ. 1998. Micropose Falcon 4.0 : Allied forces - General info. http://www.f4hq.com/default.php?page=f4info. Accessed Sept. 10, 2005.Google Scholar
- Fong, G. 2004. Adapting cots games for military simulation. In Proceedings of the ACM SIGGRAPH 2004 International Conference on Virtual Reality Continuum and Its Applications in Industry (Singapore). ACM, New York, 269-272. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Frauenfelder, M. 2001.Smash hits. Wired Magazine 9, 8 (2001).Google Scholar
- Fraxis. 2005. Civilization III: Home. http://www.civ3.com. Accessed Sept. 10, 2005.Google Scholar
- Freedictionary. 2005. Simulation games. http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Simulation%20game. Accessed Sept. 12, 2005.Google Scholar
- Garcia, I., Molla, R., And Camahort, E. 2004. Introducing discrete simulation into games. http://www.ercim.org/publication/Ercim_News/enw5/garcia.html. Accessed Sept.10, 2005.Google Scholar
- Garrity, P. 2005. PC-based technology invades army simulation. http://www.peostri.army.mil/PRODUCTS/PC_BASED_TECH/. Accessed Sept. 10, 2005.Google Scholar
- Gray, A.R., And Topping, K.J. 1998. Individual and group learning of the Highway Code: Comparing board game and traditional methods. Educational Research 40, 1 (1998), 45-53.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Hecker, C. 1998. Chris Hecker's rigid body dynamics information. http://www.d6.com/users/checker/dynamics.htm. Accessed Sept. 10, 2005.Google Scholar
- Hughes, R.G. 1990. Simulation for design, test and evaluation, and training - Reconciling the differences. In Proceedings of the 1990 Winter Simulation Conference. O. Balci et al. eds., 231-236. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Johnson, G.L., Hanson, C.L., P.Hardegree, S., And Ballard, E.B. 1996. Stochastic weather simulation: Overview and analysis of two commonly used models. J. Applied Metereology 35, 10 (1996), 1878-1896.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Kang, H.S. 2004. A PC-based driving simulator using virtual reality technology. In Proceedings of the ACM SIGGRAPH 2004 International Conference on Virtual Reality Continuum and Its Applications in Industry (Singapore). ACM, New York. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Kasvi, J.J. 2000. Not just fun and games - Internet games as a training medium. Learning with computerised simulation games. http://www.knowledge.hut.fi/people/jkasvi/NJFAG.PDF. Accessed Aug. 25, 2005.Google Scholar
- Kirriemur, J. And McFarlane, C. 2004. Literature review in games and learning. A report for NESTA Futurelab. http://www.nestafuturelab.org/research/reviews/08_01.htm. Accessed Aug. 25, 2005.Google Scholar
- L3. 2005. L-3 communications link simulation and training - FA-22 pilot training devices. http://www.link.com/fa22ptd.html. Accessed Sept. 10, 2005.Google Scholar
- Lavamind. 2005. Lavamind, htp://www.lavamind.com/index.htm. Accessed Aug. 15, 2005.Google Scholar
- LeBlanc, M. 2000. Formal design tools - Emergent complexity & emergent narrative. In Proceedings of the Game Developer's Conference (San Jose, CA, 2000).Google Scholar
- Lewis, M. And Jacobson, J. 2002.Game engines in scientific research. Commun. ACM 45, 1 (2000), 27-31. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Lindley, C.A. 2003. Game taxonomies: A high level framework for game analysis and design. http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20031003/lindley_pfv.htm. Accessed Sept. 10, 2005.Google Scholar
- Lucasarts. 2000. Star Wars Episode 1: Racer. http://www.lucasarts.com/products/starwarsracer/default.htm. Accessed Sept. 10, 2005.Google Scholar
- Macedonia, M. 2005. Games, simulation, and the military education dilemma. http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ffpiu018.pdf. Accessed Sept. 9, 2005.Google Scholar
- Manojlovich, J., Prasithsangaree, P., Hughes, S., Chen, J. And Lewis, M. 2003. Agent models I: UTSAF: a multi-agent-based framework for supporting military-based distributed interactive simulations in 3D virtual environments. In Proceedings of the 35th Winter Simulation Conference: Driving Innovation (New Orleans, LA). 960-968. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Martin, E., Stork, S., And Sanders, S. 1998.Teaching tips. Creating games for the physical education learning center. J. Physical Education, Recreation and Dance 69, 4 (1998), 9-11.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Menendez, R.G. And Bernard, J.E. 2001. Flight simulation in synthetic environments. IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine 16, 9 (2001), 19-23.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Microsoft. 2005a. MechWarrior 4. http://www.microsoft.com/games/mechwarrior4/. Accessed Sept.10, 2005.Google Scholar
- Microsoft. 2005b. Microsoft Xbox. http://www.microsoft.com/xbox/. Accessed Sept. 10, 2005.Google Scholar
- Milrad, M. 2002.Using construction kits, modeling tools and system dynamics simulations to support collaborative discovery learning. Educational Technology and Society 5, 4 (2002), 76-87.Google Scholar
- Nintendo. 2005. Nintendo Gamecube. http://www.nintendo.com/techspecgcn. Accessed Sept. 10, 2005.Google Scholar
- Noptel. 2005. Noptel Marksmanship products. http://www2.noptel.fi/eng/mil/index.php?doc=3_products/1_index. Accessed Sept. 10, 2005.Google Scholar
- Novalogic. 1999. Delta Force 2. http://www.novalogic.com/games.asp?GameKey=DF2. Accessed Sept. 10, 2005.Google Scholar
- Oxland, K. 2004. Gameplay and Design. Addison-Wesley, UK, 2004. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Page, E.H. And Smith, R. 1998. Introduction to military training simulation: A guide for discrete event simulationists. In Proceedings of the Winter Simulation Conference (Washington, DC, 1998), D.J. Medeirros et al., eds. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Pandemic. 2003. Full Specrum Warrior. http://www.socialimpactgames.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=93&mode=thread&order=1&thold=0. Accessed Sept. 10, 2005.Google Scholar
- Payne, J. 2005. Distinct types of simulation games. Course Information on Information Environments, IS 490, University of Tennessee. http://web.utk.edu/~jpayne17/HelpLadies/Types%20of%20Simulation%20Games.htm. Accessed Aug. 15, 2005.Google Scholar
- Quicksilver. 2005. Master of Orion III - The Official Web Site - Welcome. http://moo3.quicksilver.com/main.html. Accessed Aug. 25, 2005.Google Scholar
- Raybourn, E. 2005. Design and evaluation challenges of serious games. In Proceedings of the ACM CHI 2005 Conference (Portland, OR, April 2-7, 2005). ACM , New York, 2049-2050. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Rollings, A. And Adams, E. 2003. Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game Design. New Riders Publishing. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Salopek, J.J. 1999. Stop playing games. Training and Development 53, 2 (1999), 28-38.Google Scholar
- Sauve, L., Renaud, L., And Kaufman, D. 2005. Games and simulations - Theoretical underpinnings. In Proceedings of the Digital Games Research Association Conference 2005 (Vancouver, B.C., 2005).Google Scholar
- Semler, S. 2004. Games vs. simulations. http://www.learningsim.com/content/lsnews/games_sims.html. Accessed April 2001.Google Scholar
- SeriousGames. 2005a. The serious games initiative. http://www.seriousgames.org. Accessed Aug.27, 2005.Google Scholar
- SeriousGames. 2005b. Serious games summit. http://www.seriousgamessummit.com/. Accessed Sept.10, 2005.Google Scholar
- Shantikumar, J.G. And Sargent, R.G. 1983. A unifiying view of hybrid simulation/analytic models and modeling. Operations Research 31, 6 (1983), 1030-1052.Google ScholarDigital Library
- SocialImpact. 2005. Social impact games: Entertaining games with non-entertainment goals (aka serious games). http://www.socialimpactgames.com/index.php. Accessed Sept. 10, 2005.Google Scholar
- Sony. 2005. Playstation 2. http://www.playstation.com/. Accessed Sept. 10, 2005.Google Scholar
- Stolovitch, H.D. And Thiagarajan, S. 1980. Frame Games. Educational Technology Publications., Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1980.Google Scholar
- Ubisoft. 2005. Racing Sims 3.http://www.ubi.com/AU/Games/Info.aspx?pId=575. Accessed Sept. 10, 2005.Google Scholar
- Wikipedia. 2005. Game mechanic. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_mechanic. Accessed Sept. 10, 2005.Google Scholar
- Workbench, E. 2005. Electronics Workbench - A national instruments company. http://www.electronicsworkbench. com/. Accessed Sept. 10, 2005.Google Scholar
- Workspace. 2005. Workspace 5 PC based robotic simulation software - Home page. http://www.workspace5.com/. Accessed Sept. 10, 2005.Google Scholar
- Zyda, M., Mayberry, A., Wardynski, C., Shilling, R., And Davis, M. 2003. The MOVES Institute's America's army operations game. In Proceedings of the 2003 Symposium on Interactive 3D Graphics (Monterey, CA, 2003), ACM, New York. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Zyda, M. And Sheehan, J. 1997. Modeling and Simulation: Linking Entertainment and Defense. National Research Council. Google ScholarDigital Library
Index Terms
- Distinguishing games and simulation games from simulators
Recommendations
Distinguishing games, serious games, and training simulators on the basis of intent
Future Play '09: Proceedings of the 2009 Conference on Future Play on @ GDC CanadaWhat's the difference between a game, a serious game and a training simulator? Unfortunately we don't have a zippy punch line for you, but in this work we present a means to segregate the three on the basis of user intent and the closeness to their ...
Distinguishing simulation games from simulators by considering design characteristics
IE '05: Proceedings of the second Australasian conference on Interactive entertainmentThe advent of powerful personal computers has made it possible for home users to experience simulation technology through Simulation Games (a.k.a. Sims). In recent years, the cross-boundary transfusion of technology along with other reasons has ...
Casual games discussion
Future Play '07: Proceedings of the 2007 conference on Future PlayDigital games have become a remarkable cultural phenomenon in the last ten years. The casual games sector especially has been growing rapidly in the last few years. However, there is no clear view on what is "casual" in games cultures and the area has ...
Comments