The Quiet Revolution – Why We’re All Becoming “Sim” Gamers
We often define videogames by their ability to provide high-octane escapism – the power fantasies of saving the world or defeating epic bosses. But if you look at the industry landscape right now, there’s a quiet, steady revolution happening: the rise of the reality simulator.
From flight simulators and farming games to the more niche (but deeply satisfying) worlds of power washing and lawn mowing, the genre is expanding.
It’s been fascinating to watch the definition of a ‘simulator’ evolve.
It’s not just about accuracy or realism anymore – it’s about atmosphere as well.
In the early days, sims were about technical mastery: flying a plane or driving a train with absolute precision. Today, that definition has softened. It’s no longer just about replicating complex systems; it’s about recreating everyday life in a way that feels believable, restorative, and accessible.
We’re seeing three distinct types of players drawn to these experiences:
- The ‘High-Energy’ Player: Those who play intense, fast-paced games but drop into a simulation to hit a “reset” button after a session.
- The Professional/Hobbyist: The landscape professional who spends their day doing the job, only to come home and “work” in a virtual garden; or the hobbyist gardener who already spends their spare time mowing, clipping and blowing leaves, but are still drawn to a digital recreation. It’s a testament to the fact that these games aren’t just work, or even play – they’re an extension of who the player is.
- The (Initial) Sceptic: The person who starts out thinking a game about cutting grass sounds like a joke, only to find themselves three hours later in a total flow state and becoming a vocal advocate.
Why has this changed?
The success of these games speaks to a broader change in gaming culture. We live in an age where games are constantly competing for our attention, sometimes aggressively. Simulator games offer an antidote. They provide a space where you can’t ‘lose’ – there’s no peril, no danger, and no punishment, just the satisfaction of bringing order to chaos and mastering a task at your own pace.
As an industry, we’re learning that there is incredible value in creating “wholesome” experiences. By building safe, believable environments – like our digital recreation of the UK or the US – we’re not just making a product, we’re offering a form of well-being.
Whether it’s the rise of Cozy Games or the broader acceptance of who identifies as a “gamer,” it’s clear that the definition of what a game can be is expanding. After all, it’s not just comic book fans who watch a superhero movie or TV series any more.
We suspect we’ll eventually reach a point where there is a simulator for every job on the planet – allowing us all to sample another person’s job, but without the stress.
What about you? Is there an everyday task you’d love to see given the “sim” treatment?
Having collected together all of the raw audio from a number of these trips over the past few months, it’s now all with our audio partners at PitStop Productions. They’ve got loads of experience in generating mixes that we can then incorporate back into the game – so that when you turn on a mower, turn, change your speed, or anything else… it sounds just like the real thing!
For more Lawn Mowing Simulator 2 content, check out our Steam page & wishlist today!
