An immersive sim (simulation) is a video game genre that emphasizes player choice. Its core, defining trait is the use of simulated systems that respond to a variety of player actions which, combined with a comparatively broad array of player abilities, allow the game to support varied and creative solutions to problems, as well as emergent gameplay beyond what has been explicitly designed by the developer.[1] This definition is not to be confused with game systems which allow player choice in a confined sense or systems which allow players to easily escape consequences of their choices.
Immersive sims by definition allow for multiple approaches, and typically incorporate elements of multiple genres, including role-playing games, stealth, first-person shooters, platform games and survival horror.[2] Although they typically have smaller worlds than open world games, they also generally allow for open-ended gameplay, allowing the player to progress in any order and pursue side missions alongside any main story missions.[3][1] Immersive sims are generally compared to games developed by Looking Glass Studios. The first such game generally considered an immersive sim is Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss, and other early examples include Thief and Thief 2, System Shock and System Shock 2, as well as the first Deus Ex.[4]
The term "immersive sim" may also be used to describe the game design philosophy behind the immersive sim genre, which uses interacting, reactive and consistent game systems to create emergent gameplay and a sense of player agency.[5][6]
^ abBiery, Thomas (August 18, 2016). "What makes an Immersive Sim, and why are they staging a comeback?". Polygon. Archived from the original on March 3, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
^"How Resident Evil 4 Influenced BioShock". Den of Geek. October 29, 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
^Lane, Rick (July 7, 2016). "History of the best immersive sims". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on May 22, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
^Staff (April 19, 2017). "Video: Warren Spector's postmortem of Deus Ex". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on April 27, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
^Savage, Phil (February 10, 2017). "Is Prey the BioShock successor we've been waiting for?". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on May 18, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
^Sabbagh, Michel (March 6, 2017). "Thief: tense narrative through level design and mechanics". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on May 9, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
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