Choosing the right tools and platform for building your game will determine how successful and engaging your game is. Therefore, there are certain first choices that game developers opt for to ensure this.
The gaming industry has only just begun to scratch the surface in terms of game popularity these days. Although programmers now use some of the most incredibly powerful game development tools, experts believe that the industry is nowhere near its full potential. However, figures, particularly financial data, have hit unprecedented levels in recent times.
And the driving force behind this is no secret, as modern games are built using the latest tools that produce outstanding results; simulation game development platforms like Unity and Unreal Engine are the major development tools being leveraged.
We’ll discuss both these technologies in the latter part of the blog, but let’s first understand what simulation games are.
What are Simulation Games?
Video games today comprise real-world activities with realistic digital environments to help players anticipate, predict, analyze, and brainstorm situations or ideas, or simply entertain themselves with simulation games. Players control the game characters and train themselves with stimulating environments as offered by each game.
Some popular simulation games include Microsoft Flight Simulator, ARMA 3, rising Storm 2: Vietnam, etc. Moreover, the subgenres include:
Sports: This subgenre of video games includes the mechanics and strategies of team sports, athletics, and extreme sports. This has been a favorite subgenre for many in the player base.
Construction and Management Simulation: CMS games allow players to develop or manage fictional projects with the only-provided resource. These games are also called management games.
Vehicle Simulation Games: Car parking simulator games, truck simulator games, train simulator games, simulated racing games, etc. – all fall in this category. This subgenre primarily helps players build their driving skills by involving them in challenging scenarios to help them drive safely in a real-world environment.
Other simulation game types include medical simulation games, photography simulation games, and more which will never let the game fanbase get bored.
How can Simulation Games Benefit Users?
Games play an essential role in making someone’s day better. So when it comes to benefiting the user base, there are several advantages, some of which are mentioned below.
Higher User Engagement
The captivating game storyline and environment engage users more than learning tutorials and real-time training. Users are likely to involve themselves more in the in-game scenarios resulting in a more extended and focused engagement.
Also, read Unity vs. Unreal Engine: which is better for Metaverse development.
Challenges and Goals
Simulation games aid learning through in-game challenges that are easier to fulfill. Moreover, the goal of obtaining coins or completing specific tasks keeps user engaged throughout the game.
In-game Reward
Receiving in-game rewards or unlocking the next game stage offers a true feeling of joy. So, simulation games use this strategy to reward users with points or badges based on a player’s progress.
Self-paced Learning
Not everyone has the same pace of learning, and so, users get to teach themselves and pickup things at their own momentum. Therefore, simulation games benefit users who want to learn skills by progressing at a pace that suits them.
Competition
Healthy competition polishes a player’s ability to perform better, resulting in enhanced skills within a short period. In addition, this competition helps with motivating users to play more and achieve a good position. Moreover, a reward-based competition does wonders for rapid progress that even surprises participants.
Ideal Game Engine Software for Simulation Game Development
Like any other online video game, developers use Unity and Unreal game engines for creating simulation games. A game engine is an architecture used for building thrilling games on cutting-edge technology.
Game engines provide essential game features, including 2D/3D graphics, collision responses, animations, audio effects, and much more. Moreover, game developers also use game engines for building large-scale projects while using a predeveloped game to build leading games on different platforms.
Game engines benefit the game development workforce with a suite of game development tools (generally) provided in an integrated development environment (IDE) that assist developers in a swift game development process.
Here are the two of the most popular game engines that are mentioned below:
Using Unity for Simulation Games
Unity enables developers to build cross-platform games – it supports desktop, mobile, virtual reality, and console platforms.
Worldwide game development professionals have admired the Unity game engine due to its incredible tailorable rendering ability and high-quality game visual effects. In addition, the engine provides a range of intuitive tools that helps game developers end up building exquisite games with 2D/3D visuals.
To add value to Unity’s popularity, in 2020 more than 1.5 billion devices ran games built with Unity.
Pros
Unity engine offers various advantages when developing simulation games: High fidelity, cost-effective simulation environment, fast development process, developer-friendly, offers complete documentation for API, has a developer community, offers physics and rendering properties, and quality game visuals.
Unity offers interactive simulations and other feature-rich gaming experiences to developers and end-users. The engine permits engineers to run multiple scenarios with appropriate game physics at any scale.
Also, read How much does Unity game development cost?
Cons
UI Development
Though Unity is user-friendly and easy to develop, you might find Unity’s UI tool is flexible but it is not the best for every game project, especially for complex tasks requiring a customized approach. The fact is that UI tools in Unity are not standardized and not yet fully developed, so much work needs to be done when using the Unity engine to get a more comprehensive and scalable product.
Facing Challenges to Getting Clean Code
Clean code allows developers to modify software at the post-development stage and offers you the capacity and flexibility to fix errors or bugs. Unfortunately, by default, Unity doesn’t adequately support InputField objects.
Moreover, it is observed that new developers often use outdated solutions, which results in a single file loaded with thousands of lines of code. However, developers also say they struggle with Unity Version Control. Despite the problems, Unity always aims to improve as it has become a leading simulation game development engine.
Example
As Unity empowers numerous widely popular games, like Pokemon Go and Fall Guys, Ultimate Knockout stands out among top-rated games. The most popular Unity-empowered simulation game, however, is Eyes on the Solar System. Furthermore, as Unity improves daily, more games with advanced features are anticipated through this game engine.
Using Unreal for Simulation Games
Like Unity, Unreal Engine also enables robust cross-platform game development while you can implement 2D/3D graphics. Hence, Unreal Engine enables engineers to build aesthetic visuals with rendering tools.
Moreover, thanks to the Unreal Engine’s splendid rendering ability and incredible VFX quality, it tops the game development market.
Read more about Building NFT-based games using Unreal Engine.
Pros
Develop simulation games using Unreal Engine as it empowers simulation games like automated driving. This magnificent development platform provides complete control over game design development aspects. It also allows developers to import or reimport assets many times over. Unreal engine lets you enjoy high-fidelity visuals, and offers brilliant simulation 3D scene configuration that helps engineers working with prebuilt scenes. It also offers simple code and blueprints, and is deemed ideal for building large-scale robust games.
Cons
One of the downsides to using Unreal Engine is that requires tax payment after you launch the game in the market. It also requires logic to use blueprints, and it’s not suitable for developing small-sized or straightforward games. However, like the Unity game engine, Unreal Engine keeps improving with the latest versions and development tools, ultimately improving the simulation game development experience. At the same time, end-users enjoy learning with simulation games.
Example
Some popular Unreal Engine game engine-based simulation games are: Wingman – a 3D arcade flight sim action game, The Battle of Sol – an action Simulation game, and Azur Lane Crosswave – a construction and management simulation game. Many more simulation games in the market use Unreal Engine.
Wrap up
The game industry will continue to evolve with modern games. However, it is simulation games that can help improve your skills and develop your motivation for understanding in-depth scientific concepts while users enjoy a good game. Learning was never so much fun thanks to the software available for developing simulation games.
Ready to Create Simulation Games with Cubix?
Cubix is a popular software and game development company with unparalleled success over the past 14+ years. Their success is based on a solid, time-tested process, and a diligent and veteran workforce with incredible skills. Cubix’ innovative game developers use out-of-the-box game development strategies, study the future scope of your game idea, test your idea on with an actual target audience to generate results-driven ideas. The company enjoys top positions in the software development industry.
Moreover, each project built by Cubix offers clients top-charted revenues; therefore, the company deals with a worldwide clientele exceeding 500+.
Do you want to build a simulation game or need an expert’s advice? An expert is always here to support you.
