A New Interview With Realism Consultant for SHO

[Nordmann]

Originally Posted by Shiplord

you're right, sub games != subsims

A sim is still a video game, and I'm honestly shocked that anyone would think otherwise.

[John Channing]

Originally Posted by Nordmann

A sim is still a video game, and I'm honestly shocked that anyone would think otherwise.

Not quite.

A simulation (sim) is what the program models about the subject's systems, processes and reactions to the world around it. As stated above DCS products are excellent examples of simulations in that they approach the level of fidelity that you would find in a training environment.

A game is the universe that the program creates for the simulator to exist in. Sometimes you can have a really good (fun) game with a poorly modeled simulator in it (TAW and EECH are examples that comes to mind) or a great simulator with a poorly executed game to exist in (this is where the DCS products fall down, as well as SH2 and many others).

Rarely do you find and excellent simulator within an excellent game.

JCC

[Julhelm]

Originally Posted by John Channing

(TAW and EECH are examples that comes to mind)

Both of those were benchmark simulations when they came out. Give credit where credit is due.

Look, traditionally pc sims have always been entertainment products; ie: games. It's only recently with the advent of hyper-fidelity simulators like Falcon 4, DCS, later FSX payware etc that sims have become this super-serious religion where the word 'game' is some kind of heresy.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Nordmann

A sim is still a video game, and I'm honestly shocked that anyone would think otherwise.

I don't think otherwise. As I said, it's not about the game itself but the people who play it. No, a 'sim' is not a true simulator, but attempts to recreate the 'feel' of actually being there, whereas the 'game' has as its main purpose to have fun. People who are serious about 'sims' are more likely to enjoy the bad as well as the good, the boredom as well as the excitement.

I'm not challenging or criticizing the people who prefer either one; just pointing out what I believe to be the difference.

Of course I'm as biased as anyone.