The Rise and Reach of Simulation Games: From Real-Life Professions to Absurd Indie Experiments

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A few days ago, a horror-inspired proctologist simulator surfaced in the depths of Steam Revenge Of The Colon, drawing players in within moments. The concept is baffling, yet audiences seem to enjoy this kind of cringe. Valve’s store hosts a flood of similar simulators, performing surprisingly well and even spawning sequels. This article examines where these games come from, why people buy them, and highlights the most absurd simulators that earn time on players’ screens.

Where do legs come from?

Simulation games have long been a staple of the gaming landscape. Each new genre seems to sprout from a core simulation idea. Do you want to shape a city? Here are the routes to do just that. Dream of visiting a war zone? Shooters fill that urge. Want to zoom around a city at night? Driving sims offer the thrill with real risk. The appeal is in the respite from real life and the chance to test skills safely. Over time, simulations expanded beyond traditional lines, embracing quirky concepts. Theme Hospital invites players to design and manage a hospital, while The Sims lets them assume the role of a creator deified over virtual lives.

Theme Hospital was created by the controversial designer Peter Molyneux’s team.

Gradually, simulation found its own corner in the game hierarchy. It excels at delivering authentic vibes of a real activity, without oversimplification, relying on careful design and clever tricks. Microsoft Flight Simulator, for instance, lets players experience piloting with a realistic cockpit. Each aircraft model carries a set of toggles and buttons; without knowing their purposes, takeoff and safe landing are nearly impossible. Mastering every control in a single session is unrealistic, and driving can be just as challenging. This is the essence of the simulation genre: a chance to try something new and test limits.

In the late 2000s, demand for simulation titles surged, notably among German players who enjoyed such games. With niches in popular professions filling up, studios experimented with unconventional roles to compete with larger publishers. That experimentation gave rise to Truck Simulator, a game that invites players to become a truck driver. What could be more tedious than highway trucking? Millions found the answer compelling enough to invest hours and money. The series grew so popular that each new release outperformed the last.

Euro Truck Simulator 2 has become a standout with overwhelmingly positive Steam reviews.

Another curious yet popular example is Farming Simulator. Real life farming can be hard work, but virtual soil and crops attract hundreds of hours of play. The franchise spread across platforms, with new entries released well into the modern era. Since 2008, multiple installments have released on many devices, engaging a dedicated community of players.

Feedback from a dedicated player who logged thousands of hours in Farming Simulator 22 underscores the long-term appeal of these titles.

Farming Simulator convinced many developers and enthusiasts that players are willing to invest in a broad range of simulators. After 2010, Steam quickly filled with simulators of varying quality, including fishing, hunting, home renovation, car repair, rail travel, and even unusual combinations. Among those, absurd projects surfaced, offering odd and ambiguous simulation experiences.

Players and fans welcomed House Flipper 2, the handyman simulator that drew a large and positive Steam reception.

Do you play simulation games?

Parade of crazy simulators

Who first imagined a cringe-worthy simulator is hard to pinpoint, but the trend kicked into high gear with a release that pushed the boundaries of the idea. The aim is wonderfully simple: lie down and pretend to be a stone, listening to nature and waiting for something notable. The humor many find irresistible, and Rock Simulator became popular enough to spawn a sequel, multiplayer mode, and a special Roadmap – fans loved it. Positive reviews and hours logged in Steam demonstrate the world’s willingness to engage with such concepts.

Yet the authors behind these projects often lean into satire, not deception. The more ridiculous the premise, the more discussion it generates online, and the more players come to try it. Goat Simulator rose quickly to fame, delivering commercial success for its creators, Coffee Stain Studios, despite its outlandish idea. There was no grand guarantee of realism; instead, it offered entertaining gameplay that stood on its own merits. The studio behind it later produced other titles with similarly playful twists.

The British studio Bossa Studios became known for its bread simulator – I am Bread. It achieved traction much like Goat Simulator, earning a following. Surgeon Simulator followed, widely recognized for its challenging controls and humorous misfires. The title reinforced the studio’s reputation and eventually expanded into virtual reality, with a sequel arriving in 2021. The studio also released Pigeon Simulator, a project that drew its own unusual audience.

The homeless simulator gained attention with Bum Simulator from Ragged Games. The developers avoided pure satire and instead offered a full sandbox with interactive elements and a narrative thread. Published by PlayWay SA, a publisher renowned for a wide range of simulator titles, the company has built a portfolio with multiple dabbling projects. Their roster includes ambitious ideas like Thief Simulator, Border Guard Simulator, Chef Simulator, Tank Mechanic Simulator, UBOAT, Junkyard Simulator, Prison Simulator, and more, each exploring a different facet of modern work life.

Cooking Simulator 2: Better Together is slated for release next year.

PlayWay SA games are known less for polished visuals and more for humor, quirky premises, and a touch of satire. The titles often aim to entertain and surprise, making a bold statement through unconventional gameplay. They thrive on word-of-mouth and social media buzz, a strategy that helps keep new releases rolling out year after year. In some cases, the games can be imperfect, yet they consistently offer a distinctive flavor that attracts a curious audience.

Contraband Police is a 3D reimagining of Papers, Please, adding its unique flair to a familiar concept.

The messiest simulators

Many simulated experiences come from independent studios rather than big publishers. A dream of building an odd public toilet might result in Toilet Management Simulator. Perhaps a desire to be a bear in a forest leads to Bear Simulator. There are also simulations ranging from receiving summons to exploring a Russian village with vodka, a home life in a panel house, a graveyard keeper, a car dealership, and more. These products are often labeled wasteful by critics, yet they find a willing audience hungry for novelty.

The Russian village simulator from PropilGames is noted for its irreverent, sometimes cheeky branding. Developers frequently ride on their PR momentum, sometimes spending little time on polish, yet still earning a living from quick releases and viral posts. They understand that perception and humor beat technical perfection in some corners of the store.

Each release of a trashy simulator is accompanied by a flurry of notes that help with publicity and monetization. The quality varies widely; many teams invest a week or less in production. Even modest sales can justify future entries, encouraging a cycle of rapid experimentation and rollouts.

Skuf simulator is another example within this space, illustrating the hustle behind mass-market, tongue-in-cheek titles. The trend extends beyond indie developers to larger markets, filling shelves with quick, experimental projects that aim to capture the attention of casual buyers looking for a quick laugh. The end goal is simple: to fill the catalog with new, timely ideas and tap into popular niches.

In recent years, domestic developers have joined this wave, producing a range of humorous, satirical, and sometimes outright bizarre simulations. A snapshot from a period shows a slate of experimental titles like Booze Simulator Online, Simulator of sitting at the entrance, Gopnik Simulator, Garage Jumping Simulator, Toothbrushing Simulator, and more. The idea remains the same: a fast path to revenue through novelty rather than reliability. Publishers continue to explore this space, hoping to maintain a steady stream of entries that keep players curious and engaged.

Players often buy these quirky titles not for depth but for the amusement of the comments and the light-hearted critique they invite. The publishing strategy recognizes that even imperfect games can generate significant attention through funny, memorable responses from the community. The result is a unique ecosystem where search trends and social chatter help drive discovery of these unconventional experiences.

Have you tried waste simulators?

The much-hyped Revenge Of The Colon proctologist simulator is not a new phenomenon in the industry. Steam and console stores alike host a steady stream of similar titles. Continuous coverage in the press, influencer videos, and social posts keeps these games visible. Yet one drawback remains: talented indie developers may see their meaningful, carefully crafted projects fade under a wave of lower-effort experiments. A few years of work can be overshadowed by a flood of novelty releases.

For readers who discover a worthwhile indie game, sharing it on the site helps other players find it. Suggestions and opinions can assist independent creators in reaching a broader audience, and readers may share thoughts about their own impulse purchases in the comments. This helps prevent the spread of low-quality titles while championing thoughtful, well-made indie work.

Source: VG Times

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