Frequently Asked Questions
The most-asked questions about simulation games of the 2010s, part 2.
What does Simulation Games of the 2010s – Part 2 cover?
This volume of the fan encyclopedia focuses on simulation titles released roughly between 2015 and 2019, continuing the timeline from Part 1. It spans management sims, life sims, vehicle sims, and sandbox survival titles from that stretch of the decade.
Who are the most frequently discussed developers in this era?
Colossal Order (Cities: Skylines), Klei Entertainment (Stardew Valley), and Wube Software (Kerbal Space Program) are among the most cited studios. Paradox Interactive and Focus Home Interactive also feature heavily for their management and park-builder releases.
Where should a newcomer begin if they want to explore this era?
Cities: Skylines and Stardew Valley are commonly recommended entry points because they are accessible, deeply moddable, and have large active communities. Kerbal Space Program is another frequent suggestion for players who enjoy physics-driven sandbox gameplay.
What made the 2015–2019 window distinctive for simulation games?
The rise of Steam Workshop-style modding and the success of indie studios gave smaller teams a viable path to compete with AAA publishers. Crowdfunding and early-access models also let players shape titles like Factorio and RimWorld before their full releases.
What is considered the most notable community-driven moment in this period?
The Cities: Skylines modding community is often highlighted, with thousands of user-created assets and gameplay overhauls that extended the game's life well beyond its 2015 launch. The Kerbal Space Program community's real-world orbital mechanics challenges are another frequently cited example.
Which subgenres of simulation saw the most growth during these years?
Park and theme-park builders (Planet Coaster, Planet Zoo), logistics and transport management (Transport Fever, Railway Empire), and survival-crafting hybrids (Factorio, RimWorld) all saw significant expansion. Vehicle and flight simulation also benefited from improved hardware and growing VR adoption.
How does Part 2 handle games that were still in early access by 2019?
Titles like Factorio and Star Citizen are included with a note about their development status at the time of writing. The encyclopedia evaluates them based on the features and community impact they had up through 2019 rather than their eventual full releases.
Are mobile simulation games covered in this volume?
The encyclopedia focuses primarily on PC and console titles, though a few cross-platform releases like The Sims FreePlay or Hay Day are mentioned in passing. Dedicated mobile-only sims are generally outside the scope of both parts.
What technical or design trends defined simulation games in this stretch of the decade?
Procedural generation, deep sandbox freedom, and heavy modding support became expected features rather than bonuses. Multiplayer and cooperative play also grew, with titles like Factorio and SnowRunner building their core loops around shared sessions.
How does this fan encyclopedia differ from official publisher documentation?
It is written by and for the player community, prioritizing practical tips, mod recommendations, and retrospective analysis over marketing language. Coverage is grounded in player experience and community consensus rather than developer press materials.