When researching titles to play, many gamers consider realism to be one of the key factors they look for in a game. However, when given a title that is accurately realistic, many gamers back off, saying it’s too boring to play.
But why does this irony exist? How come a lot of people find the real thing boring? Let’s dig deeper into this problem, find out why, and find out what you can do to make simulation games fun again.
Why Simulation Games Can Get Boring
Many will say that simulation games are fun and exciting, and they are right up to a point. However, they will get repetitive after a while, especially once the novelty wears off. Here’s why.
Realistic controls are complicated
If you are playing a full simulation game, setting up games like flight simulators can be tedious and complicated. For example, if you’re playing X-Plane 11, you won’t just be working with the throttles and stick, you’ll also need to configure other controls, like fuel mixture, flaps, manifold pressure, landing gear controls, etc. .
More than that, you will also have to deal with environmental factors. Let’s say you’re used to sports cars that break down instantly and rev up in no time. In that case, you’ll be surprised when American Truck Simulator’s big rigs don’t respond as well. This is especially true when it’s wet or you’re carrying heavier loads than usual, which forces you to plan your moves long before you actually do them.
And while most of these games offer some automation, so you can focus on the experience, it’s not as simple as jumping into the game and following a tutorial. You need to dig into its parameters and figure out what level of realism you’re comfortable with.
Real life is not an adrenaline filled movie
When you play other game titles, like Call of Duty, you expect the game to be action-packed, with thrilling combat sequences happening all the time. However, this is not true in real life. In fact, soldiers in war zones say their lives are 90% boring and 10% terrifying.
So, suppose you play ArmA or Sniper Elite. In this case, you will have to devote a considerable part of the game to maneuvering, reaching your target undetected and waiting for your prey to appear.
We’re just looking for a taste of realism
Gamers who download simulation games for entertainment are usually just looking for a taste of what it’s like to be in that position. For example, you can become a pilot in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 without having to spend thousands of dollars on training.
But once you get over the novelty of the experience and realize you’ll have to study tons of procedures, read manuals, and even learn the types of airspace and the language of air traffic control, it becomes a chore.
So if you’re like most gamers, you’ll eventually want to play something less realistic and more digestible once you get your fix.
How to add life to simulation games
Since sims can eventually get boring, that doesn’t mean you should stop buying and playing them. After all, if you leave a game alone, it will become interesting again after a while.
But other than that, there are steps you can take to make simulation games more interesting, especially once their novelty wears off.
One of the best ways to beat boredom in simulation games is to play with like-minded people. For example, you can find Discord channels for just about anything, including those focused on games. This allows you to play with other people, allowing you to engage in new challenges and missions with them.
For example, you can create a multiplayer session on Euro Truck Simulator 2 and drive around Europe while chatting with other players. You can even do the same jobs and drive together as one convoy.
Install mods
Another way to increase your gaming fun in simulation games is to install mods. These add-ons are usually created by the community, so they know what players are looking for. For example, you can install custom radios on Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator through RadioTrucker.
Or, if you like the city-building simulation game Cities: Skylines, you can install mods from Steam, allowing you to recreate any city in the most realistic way possible.
If you play a fairly popular game, you’re bound to find a community that creates video game mods that allow you to do more in the game.
Create your own mini-games
Another way to unleash your creativity in simulation games is to create your mini-games while playing with others. While this option is usually available with some titles, you can still create your own rules and use the game mechanics to create events that you can play with your friends for titles that don’t allow custom game modes.
For example, you can create a challenge in American Truck Simulator where you and your friends will race across the map while avoiding crashes. Or you can play short landing challenges in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, trying to land an Airbus A380 on an aircraft carrier.
Real life is boring, but realistic games can still be fun
When you’ve had enough of your simulation game, try some of the things above to liven it up. You’ll be surprised how much life you can squeeze out of an old game just by playing with one or two other people, let alone an entire community.
After all, a simulation game will allow you to do just about anything within its mechanics. So if you’re playing a flight simulator, why not do crazy things on the plane that you can’t do in real life? Or if you drive a truck, maybe try drifting it.
Once you get familiar with your simulation games, you can push them beyond their limits with a bit of exploration. Who knows? You might even be able to create an in-game event for the developer to feature in their player creations. If you use your imagination, the sky is the limit in simulation games.
