Life Simulators on the Rise
It’s been a decade since the release of The Sims 4, and the genre hasn’t seen many competitors. However, a new wave of life simulators is currently in development, including games like Paralives, Life By You, inZOI, and an unnamed project from Midsummer Studios. This surge in life simulators may have been influenced by popular games like Roblox, Fortnite, and PUBG: Battlegrounds.
The Emergence of Narratives
While the concept of “emergent narrative” was introduced by game designer Marc LeBlanc in 2000, its recent resurgence can be attributed to games such as PUBG, Fortnite, and Minecraft. These games provide a platform for players to create their own stories within the game environment, showcasing the power of player-driven narratives.
Even games like Fortnite and PUBG have proven to be fertile ground for emergent storytelling, demonstrating that narratives can develop even in seemingly linear game settings. Players find ways to craft their own unique stories while engaging with the game’s objectives and mechanics.
The Future of Life Simulators
The next generation of life simulators may draw inspiration from the emergent narratives found in games like Fortnite and PUBG. By incorporating player-driven storytelling, these games have the potential to offer a new level of creativity and engagement for players.
Jake Solomon, co-founder of Midsummer Studios, believes that the influx of life simulator games will cater to an underserved audience and provide players with more choices and creative opportunities. The studio aims to focus on emergent narrative as a key feature to set their game apart from the competition.
Midsummer Studios plans to implement narrative-rich elements in their game, allowing players to choose the type of story they want to tell from the start. This customizable approach aims to provide a dynamic and engaging gameplay experience, similar to the storytelling seen in popular titles like Minecraft and The Sims 4.
Like Minecraft and Fortnite, the success of future life simulators will heavily rely on the incorporation of emergent storytelling, putting players and their narratives at the forefront of the gaming experience.