Literature Review
- 1. Abstract
- 2. Introduction
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3. Data / Material & Methodology
- 3.1 What is our game and what is its purpose?
- 3.2 What are Simulation Video Games?
- 3.3 How to make this simulation game?
- 3.4 Life Simulation Games (Artificial Intelligence Games)
- 3.5 Simulation Games and Ecosystem Connection
- 3.6 What is AI?
- 3.7 AI in Games
- 3.8 Machine Learning in Games
- 3.9 What factors influence the audience engagement, revenue generation, and player interest in ecosystem simulation games?
- 3.10 What are game engines and why are they important?
- 4. Sample Games
- 5. Conclusion
- 6. References
The evolving landscape of video games reflects a growing global interest in gaming as a form of entertainment, competition, and education. The increase of active players, reaching over 2.5 billion in 2019, highlights the industry's expansion. Casual games dominate preferences, with simulation games offering unique insights into real-world systems, particularly ecosystems.
One notable genre within the gaming sphere is ecosystem simulation games, exemplified by titles like ECOSIM, Pixel Survivor, WorldBox - God Simulator and Black and White. These games simulate complex ecosystems, allowing players to control and experiment with various elements, fostering a deeper understanding of ecological processes. To enhance player engagement, developers focus on realism, intuitive gameplay, educational value, and strategic marketing. Unity Game Engine stands as a vital tool, enabling developers to create immersive 2D and 3D games, simulations, and interactive experiences. Its accessibility, rapid iteration capabilities, and support for diverse platforms have contributed to its widespread adoption, making it a cornerstone for both aspiring and experienced game developers.
Games are a set of activities aimed at entertainment, competition and education. It allows people to be more creative, improve their strategic skills and also increase their interpersonal interaction and problem-solving abilities. As the interest in games increases around the world and the game market expands, the number of people playing games also increases. In 2019, there were over 2.5 billion active players in the world. This number is one billion more than five years ago. According to research, approximately 40% of 8 billion people play video games and it is estimated that there will be 2.8 billion active players worldwide in 2021 [1].
Figure 1: Global active gamers over time [2]
As seen in the graph above (Figure 1), according to the latest data, it is known that there are approximately 3.09 billion active video players worldwide and this figure has increased to over 1 billion in just seven years. (32% increase) Additionally, the number of players is expected to reach 3.32 billion in 2024 [2].
Figure 2 : Video Game Device Usage by Age [1]
Video games attract great attention from people young and old. There has been a lot of interest in video games, especially since the coronavirus became widespread. The figure above (Figure 2) shows the gaming distribution of gen alpha and gen z across mobile, PC and consoles in the US. According to the video game demographic statistics here, interest in mobile games is more intense than others.Thanks to statistics like these, an overview of today's player profile can be provided. In this way, the target audience can be better known in the gaming industry[2].
Figure 3 : Gamer Preferences [2]
According to research conducted in the USA, casual games are among the most popular games with 69%. This corresponds to 1.95 billion gamers globally. Action games and shooter games rank second with 39%, this means 1.21 billion people [2]. (Seen in Figure 3)
According to the data in Figure 4, the video game market is expected to reach a total value of $334.00 billion by 2023. Afterward, it's projected that the revenue will grow annually at a rate of 8.74% between 2023 and 2027, resulting in an estimated market size of $467.00 billion by 2027 [5].
Figure 4 : Revenue [4]
Our game will be a 3D ecosystem simulation where autonomously moving entities, created and developed through machine learning, act as prey and predators. The responsibility of the player is to maintain and improve the balance and order of the created ecosystem. The main purpose of the game is to fill the gaps in understanding nature and how an ecosystem works. Traditionally, the ways of teaching about nature often involve fixed examples, which can be dull and limited as time goes by. However, our game is dynamic. It lets players see, interact, and experiment with nature in real-time. By doing so, players can understand the complexity of natural processes better. They can test different scenarios, such as population control, habitat management, or introducing new elements to the ecosystem to see what happens, and learn from the outcomes, all in a virtual environment.
In EcoSculptor, the player is a powerful god, entrusted with the task of growing and preserving a thriving ecosystem. As the god of this ecosystem, the player has the ability to shape the land, create life, and maintain the balance of nature. The goal is to ensure the stability and harmony of this ecosystem for generations to come.
Life Essence: Life Essence is the primary currency in EcoSculptor. The player gains Life Essence from animals reproducing, predators hunting prey and prey feeding on natural sources.
Elemental Essence: Elemental Essence represents the raw power of the elements and serves as the currency for shaping the earth and adding essential features such as lakes, trees, and mountains. The player collects Elemental Essence from dead animals becoming fossilized and from the site of past natural disasters.
Game Dynamics
Creating Life: Life Essence is used to create diverse species of animals, ranging from prey animals like deer and rabbits to predators such as wolves and lions. It is necessary to carefully manage the population of these creatures to maintain a balanced ecosystem.
Shaping the Earth: The player can utilize the Elemental Essence to shape the land, creating lakes, rivers, forests, and mountains. These geographical features provide habitats for the creatures, ensuring they have access to water, food, and shelter.
Maintaining Balance: Over time, the ecosystem evolves. Lakes might dry up, trees might wither, and animal populations can fluctuate. Attention should be paid to the delicate balance between prey and predator populations. If one group becomes too dominant, it can lead to instability and potential collapse of the ecosystem.
Random Calamities: Nature is unpredictable. Challenges will be faced in the form of random calamities such as floods, wildfires, or disease outbreaks. These events can disrupt the balance of the ecosystem, requiring the player's abilities to restore stability.
Divine Interventions: As the god of ecosystems, the player possesses the power to intervene directly. The player adjusts the climate, guides migrations, or spawns new life to counter the effects of disasters and maintains the equilibrium.
Player's purpose in EcoSculptor is to grow the ecosystem over game time, making sure its stability and vitality. As the player progresses through the game, faces increasingly complex challenges, adapts to new environmental factors, and strategizes to keep the balance intact.
Simulation video games are a diverse super-category of video games, generally designed to closely simulate real world activities. A simulation game seeks to replicate real-life activities within a gaming context, serving purposes like training, analysis, prediction, or entertainment. Typically, these games lack strict objectives, enabling players to freely control characters or environments within the simulation [5]. There are not many well-known ecosystem/life simulation games out there, which is what we're working on. The Simulation Games market is expected to achieve a total revenue of $11.54 billion in the year 2022 [4].
After completing the literature review phase, the next step involves developing the game design by determining game mechanics, objectives, and overall game structure. This includes defining the player's role and goals within the ecosystem. We will then move on to developing core game mechanics, including species behavior, resource management, environmental dynamics, and player interactions. Once the data modeling which requires determining the characteristics, behaviors and interactions of species, is completed, we will begin to implement artificial intelligence systems such as hunting, breeding and foraging for species. Then, we need to simulate the effects of environmental factors such as climate and weather. In addition, we must design a user-friendly interface through which players can interact with and manage the ecosystem in order to improve the user experience. We'll talk more about these topics in the Software Requirements Specification (SRS) and Game Design Document (GDD).
Finally, extensive testing will be conducted to identify and fix issues to ensure the game is engaging and appeals to a wider audience.
Life simulation games revolve around the management and development of virtual lives, empowering players to control autonomous individuals or creatures within the game world. These games encompass various aspects, including genetic artificial life games, where players oversee populations of creatures across multiple generations [6].
Simulation games and ecosystems are intricately linked, allowing players to emulate real-world ecosystems in a virtual setting. Within these games, players have the ability to replicate and manage real-world systems, dynamically interacting with elements like plants, animals, and the environment. This hands-on and interactive experience not only serves as a tool for educating players about environmental sustainability but also facilitates a deeper understanding of real-world systems. By engaging with simulation games, players explore the consequences of alterations, such as introducing new species or modifying the climate, witnessing how these changes can reverberate across the entire ecosystem. The interconnected themes of representation of real-world systems, dynamic interactions, educational and experiential learning, and feedback mechanisms converge in these games, providing a comprehensive exploration of the complexities inherent in both simulated and actual ecosystems.
Artificial intelligence is the science of making machines that can think like humans. It can do things that are considered "smart." [7]. Artificial intelligence can simulate human-like intelligence in machines, giving them the ability to perform tasks that require human intelligence, like problem-solving, decision making, learning and pathfinding .
AI in games is mostly used to make computer algorithms that create non-player characters. These are called NPCs (non-player character) which are opponents that can show intelligent behavior in the game. This can make the gaming experience more real and engaging.
Machine learning in games improves the algorithms and models that make the game characters or elements so that they learn and adapt from the data and experience. It can benefit the gaming experience by allowing NPCs and game elements to adapt to player behavior, and make more fluent and realistic decisions based on the data they collect during gameplay.
3.9. What factors influence the audience engagement, revenue generation, and player interest in ecosystem simulation games?
To ensure ecosystem simulation games attract a substantial audience and generate profits, several key factors should be considered. First and foremost, the design and quality of the game are paramount. Achieving a high level of realism in ecosystem simulation, coupled with meticulous attention to detail, can greatly enhance the gaming experience. Additionally, the inclusion of top-notch graphics and immersive sound can broaden the game's appeal.
Furthermore, a well-crafted game with intuitive mechanics and a logical structure is essential for garnering interest. Players should find it easy to grasp the game's rules and objectives, even when dealing with complex ecosystem interactions. Incorporating educational and scientific value into the game can be a significant advantage. This not only attracts players eager to learn about the environment and biodiversity but also adds depth to the gaming experience. Recognizing the competitive nature of the ecosystem simulation game market is crucial. To stand out, developers should introduce unique features effectively and distinguish their game from others in the market. Moreover, marketing and advertising play a pivotal role in introducing the game to a wider audience. Striking a balance between player satisfaction and profitability is essential, as is building a strong community around the game.
Finally, identifying and targeting specific audiences, staying in tune with gaming trends, and launching the game at an opportune time can contribute to its popularity and financial success. These elements collectively contribute to the creation of a successful ecosystem.
A gaming engine is a software development environment, also referred to as a with settings and configurations that optimize and simplify the development of video games across a variety of programming languages.A gaming engine typically comprises a graphics rendering engine compatible with various import formats for both 2D and 3D graphics, a physics engine simulating real-world activities, artificial intelligence (AI) capable of responding to player actions, a sound engine managing sound effects, an animation engine, and numerous other functionalities.
Early video games were developed with their own rendering engines, each specifically designed for one game. Over time, game engines evolved from proprietary, in-house engines to commercially developed engines that are widely available today [8], like Unity Game Engine. Because they are in such great demand, game creators may create new games or port their already-existing titles to other platforms more quickly and easily by utilizing commercially built game engines.
In the gaming industry, well-liked game engines include Unity, Unreal, Godot, and others. Unreal Engine, developed by Epic Games, is renowned for its stunning graphics and robust tools, making it a top choice for creating visually impressive and high-performance games. Unity, on the other hand, is celebrated for its accessibility and versatility, making it a go-to engine for both indie developers and large studios. Godot, an open-source engine, is gaining popularity for its user-friendly interface and powerful features, particularly favored by those looking for a free and community-driven option. These game engines each bring their unique strengths to the table, catering to a wide range of game developers and their diverse needs.
Unity is a game engine made by Unity Technologies. First announced and released in June 2005 Since then, it has grown to support various platforms, including computers, mobile devices, game consoles, and virtual reality. Many people like to use Unity for making games on iOS and Android, and it's known for being beginner-friendly, making it popular for indie game development.
The Unity engine is versatile and allows developer to make both 3D and 2D games, along with interactive simulations and more. It's not just for video games; it's also used in other fields like film, automotive, architecture, engineering, construction, and the defense industry [9].
Benefits of Unity for developers [10]:
- Unity is a good engine for beginners:
Unity is a valuable resource for both students and developers due to its free usage. In recent updates to Unity's pricing policy, they've decided not to charge most games that make less than $1 million. This decision didn't sit well with some, while it sparked a reaction from others [11]. Unity is also user-friendly, and in July 2020, they revealed that the visual coding tool Bolt would be included in all Unity plans at no additional expense, further enhancing its accessibility for newcomers.
- Fast and Agile
Unity's strength lies in its speed and efficiency, making it a valuable tool for quickly bringing ideas to life. It allows for rapid iteration, which is incredibly useful when developers are brainstorming and developing a new game concept.
- Unity makes portability easier
Unity greatly simplifies the task of porting games across different platforms. With its robust cross-platform compatibility, game developers can create a game for one platform and then easily adapt it to run on various others, such as PC, mobile devices, gaming consoles, and even virtual reality systems.
- Unity has a large and varied asset store
The Unity Asset Store is a treasure trove for game developers and creators. It's a virtual marketplace filled with a wide array of assets, tools, and resources that can supercharge the game development projects. Whether somebody is looking for 3D models, character animations, sound effects, or even complete game templates, users will find a rich assortment to choose from.
- Unity allows user to build his/her own tools
Unity's Asset Store not only simplifies the process of purchasing tools for developers but also provides a straightforward platform for creating tools.
We've preferred the Unity game engine for several reasons. It's user-friendly, commonly used by independent developers, well-supported with a wealth of resources and an active community, and it enjoys popularity not only in Turkey but worldwide. Moreover, Our team possesses significant experience and knowledge with Unity, making it a natural choice for us.
Figure 5: ECOSIM [12]
This game called ECOSIM is very similar to the ecosystem regulation simulation game we are planning to make. In this game, only the progress of the simulation ecosystem is monitored. The main purpose of this game is to examine whether camera angles can be changed and the ecosystem to remain stable. (Seen in Figure 5)
Figure 6 : Pixel Survivors [13]
This game was released on May 5, 2016. Pixel Survivors is a real time strategy - management game. Create some land and help your initial villagers to survive during the first period of time. Build houses for hosting your citizens, create chicken pens and farms to feed them. Elevate forges and tailors to keep the population well dressed and with the necessary tools for working. Construct mines and foresting towers to get new resources once the surface has been wiped. Improve the efficiency of your work by adding windmills and sawmills. Once you've got a stable village, all you can do is expand your village and try to get a bigger population stable [13]. (Seen in Figure 6)
Figure 7: WorldBox - God Simulator [14]
This game was released on September, 2018[15]. This game is an ecosystem - god simulation that covers everything real and unreal that can be done on a living world. There are many factors that can be changed in the game and the game tries to have a balanced structure within itself. Many different scenarios can be imagined and created. It is a very wide game in terms of diversity. The game has generated an average revenue of $9.1 million from the moment it was released until now [16]. (Seen in Figure 7)
Figure 8 : Black & White (Video Game) [17]
This game was released on March 27, 2001. In this game, the player takes on the role of a god overseeing multiple islands inhabited by different populations. Interactions with the game environment involve tasks such as throwing individuals and objects, tapping on houses to wake their occupants, summoning miracles, and performing various actions. Key elements in the narrative include gold and silver scrolls; gold scrolls trigger significant events, including the main storyline, while silver scrolls create minor tasks that yield rewards when completed [17]. (Seen in Figure 8, A Norse village at the beginning. Larger houses support more villagers.)
The gaming industry's rapid growth, fueled by increasing player engagement and educational value, is evident. Ecosystem simulation games, driven by artificial intelligence and machine learning, offer immersive and educational experiences. Unity and other game engines play a crucial role in simplifying development processes, enabling creative innovation. To succeed, developers must prioritize meticulous design, unique features, and effective marketing, adapting to evolving player interests and technological advancements. The future of gaming lies in the seamless integration of innovation, education, and entertainment.
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