What Are Simulation Games?

Why Are Simulation Games Popular?

Global mobile simulation game downloads are expected to exceed 18 billion by 2027. But what makes them so popular? Mobile simulation games capitalize on various mechanisms to engage their users – either to stimulate or relax them. These include:

• gamifying real-life tasks  – such as running a farm, building a town, or parking a car
• extensive attention to detail – often with 3D in-game graphics
• space for creativity – players can customize their own progress at their own pace
• timers that drive players to play a couple of times every day or at specific times of day
• user-generated content – as we see with sandbox games like Roblox
• immersive gaming experiences – with the potential of metaverse and infinite digital worlds

All of these elements work together to drive simulation gamers further and further into gameplay.

What Are the Best Simulation Games?

According to the Mobile Games Index, the top mobile simulation games on the Android platform in terms of average session duration are as follows:

1. SAKURA School Simulator – Garusoft Development Inc.
2. Car Parking Multiplayer – olzhass
3. Craftsman: Building Craft – StarGame22
4. Idle Lumber Empire – Game Veterans
5. Dragon City Mobile – Social Point
6. Bus Simulator: Ultimate – Zuuks Games
7. Gold & Goblins: Idle Merger – AppQuantum
8. Idle Miner Tycoon: Gold & Cash – Kolibri Games
9. Klondike Adventures – VIZOR APPS LTD.
10. Episode – Choose Your Story – Episode Interactive

Who Plays Simulation Games?

Let’s dive into who the most engaged users are for this gaming category. Data has revealed that male simulation gamers tend to spend almost one minute longer on average per day (18.5 minutes) in gameplay than female gamers. 

To add to this, the most engaged age group when it comes to simulation game session lengths is the under 20s group. They spend on average around 19.5 minutes per day in simulation gameplay. This is followed closely by the 20 to 29 age group and the 30 to 39 age group. 

Geographically, Asia and Europe are home to the most engaged gamers worldwide.

With game hybridization, simulation games are incorporating mechanisms from other gaming verticals to appeal to a much larger user base. 

More hypercasual and casual mechanisms that are typically easy to learn are, for example, being incorporated into core simulation gameplay. Why? Simulations have seen that these verticals have performed well over the years and can attract a more diverse and engaged user base. 

Of course, core gameplay still needs to draw users to stay in the game. Finding the right balance between core and meta gameplay is essential for a simulation game’s long-term retention and lifetime value.

How Do You Monetize Mobile Simulation Games?

Industry data has revealed that, while in-app purchases are still an important revenue source for simulation games, publishers should not underestimate their potential revenues from in-app advertising. By 2027, revenue source by channel for this mobile gaming genre is supposed to be:

• In-app purchases: 60 percent
• In-app advertising: 39 percent
• Paid apps: 1 percent

When you break this down by region, North America and Asia bring in the lion’s share of the vertical’s revenues, at over nine billion US dollars respectively. Compare this with other regions, such as Europe, the next strongest-performing region for simulation game revenue. It comparatively brings in a modest three billion US dollars.

Conclusion

Simulation games offer players a captivating and immersive experience, allowing them to step into various roles and scenarios that mirror real-life activities. 

With the arrival of game hybridization and hybrid monetization, simulation games will continue to evolve to drive an ever-increasing user base to engage with them – and spend either hard cash or in-app currency in gameplay. Not to progress to the next level – since gameplay is not linear – but to enrich and build their virtual world. 

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