There are several things about gaming as a hobby that allow a degree of interactivity which things like film or books could only dream of. One of these advantages is the ability to actually be involved in gaming even when you are not currently playing the game. I’m of course talking about simulators.
Now of course there aren’t many examples of these as simulators usually they are only for trying out things in a competitive environment such as Pokemon Showdown for the Pokemon franchise or YGOPRO Percy for those who like to play Yu-Gi-Oh but the important thing to note is that they provide a good testing environment to try out different strategies and in some cases can even save you money/time by ensuring nothing is wasted before you try out a bad strategy or item.
Something to keep in mind though is that many people consider these programs video games in their own right. I for one use YGOPRO exclusively rather than playing the physical card game as it is completely free and I can connect with thousands of people all around the world without having to leave my home. This means I have a great amount of experience with the simulator and to me it’s a free video game that I play in my spare time. Perhaps though the fact they are just taking mechanics from other games and providing a testing environment makes them less of a game in the eyes of others but I see them equally as valid choices to play and I most certainly do not regret spending hours with them.
So what do you all think? Do you consider gaming simulators as their own seperate game or are they more of a tool to you? Let me know in the comments! That’s all for now, and as always. It’s not just a game, It’s a Life.