Gaming the System: Saying Goodbye to Maxis Studios

Earlier this month, Ian Bogost wrote an article eulogizing Maxis, the innovative studio behind SimCity and The Sims. It’s a thoughtful piece, definitely worth a read, especially if (like me) you have a soft spot for sandbox/system games.

Saying goodbye to a loved studio wasn’t Bogost’s only focus, though. Amid the nostalagia-inducing anecdotes, Bogost also questions whether we really need to have games with characters at all. It’s an interesting question, particularly in the wake of GamerGate and the heated discussions about representation in games. Bogost focuses a bit too much on the selfishness of the player for my liking (criticizing gamers’ desire to play as someone like them). It’s hard to tell if Bogost was responding to appeals from marginalized groups who want fair representation, arguments against harmful representation (like Sarkeesian’s Tropes vs. Women series), or the outraged cries of players who think adding new types of faces will “ruin” games. Selfishness is a dangerous accusation, and it’s often used to shut down requests from people who have legitimate wants and needs that are not being met. Getting rid of games with characters isn’t an answer. It’s a bandaid.

But, while I disagree with Bogost’s dismissal of character and narrative-driven games, he makes an excellent point about these sandbox titles; done well, simulation games offer a bigger picture view of the systems that control our lives. While they are definitely simplified, system-sandbox games can highlight things about our world that would otherwise be invisible. We rarely think about the underlying systems (such as who decides the “standard” size for an airplane seat, or how streetlights are timed) until the system breaks down–and even then, we are more likely to respond with frustration than a critical eye. System-sandbox games allow players to get a closer view at things we often take for granted. It’s not a replacement for character and narrative-driven games, but it is important, valuable, and…well…fun (especially if you’re a bit of a control freak, like I tend to be).

The Sims will certainly live on through EA (at least so long as it remains a cash cow), but it’s still sad to say goodbye to Maxis. Hope is not lost, though. If you are looking for some options to fill that SimCity-shaped hole in your heart, here are five suggestions to get you started:

1. Papers, Please

While it isn’t a graphically strong game, Papers, Please puts you in the role of a customs officer, controlling the flow of visitors, tourists, and locals to the fictional Arstotzka. It is the least flexible option on this list (while there are places for freedom of choice, you are bound by a created system, rather than creating one of your own), but it’s a challenging, fun look into how politics and policy shape immigration practices. And, if you like this, Lukas Pope has also created a number of other system games that are worth checking out.

2. Prison Architect

Prison Architect has a very SimCity-esque vibe. Introversion’s prison simulator puts you in control of creating your own prison, balancing prisoner needs and ethical demands with the harsh reality of financial limitations. Challenging, complex, and engaging, this is a definite “must” for system-sandbox lovers.

3. Banished

If it is the city aspect that you want, Shining Rock Software’s Banished is the game for you. The player controls the fate of a group of exiles, trying to build themselves a new home in an unforgiving wilderness. Unlike many system-sandbox games, Banished doesn’t have “locked” options that you build up to. Every building, resource, and tool is available to the player from day one. This helps avoid the need to upgrade earlier constructions, but also adds a huge layer of difficulty, since you can burn through resources faster than you realize. One note of warning, however: Banished is not for the faint of heart. There is no initial tutorial to get you started, and the mechanics are beautifully complex. The game does offer a thorough guide you can choose to read (which I highly recommend), but it’s worth checking out tips and suggestions in player walkthroughs, too. They probably won’t be enough to keep you alive (at least at first), but they can make the learning curve a lot less frustrating as you settle in.

4. Game Dev Tycoon

Greenheart Games’s Game Dev Tycoon is a surprisingly addictive look into the world of video game development. The graphics are clean and appealing and the current events pop-ups (You start as a game developer in the 80s) are beautifully nostalgic, letting you know when rival companies like Ninvento come out with the new handheld Gameling system. Relatively short and easy to play, it’s a fun look back into gaming history and it offers enough variety to play multiple times.

5. Democracy 3

Do you want to run a country? Democracy 3 puts you in control of legislative policy for the country of your choice (options include Canada, the UK, America, and Australia–among others). At first glance, the menu system can be overwhelmingly complex; there are tons of options and they link in many, many ways. Still, it’s relatively user-friendly and it doesn’t take long to get the hang of navigating through the various screens to see which policies effect results, how voters may respond, and which of your cabinet members are sick and tired of your leadership style. It’s a deceptively easy game to play….and an incredibly hard one to “win”…which means getting re-elected rather than booted or assassinated.