Summary
Simulation games have held a strong presence in the video game market since the early days of the console wars. Known for their cozy, universally appealing, and often non-violent gameplay, simulation games offer experiences that can be enjoyed by gamers of all kinds. With hits likeThe Sims,Farming Simulator, andStardew Valley, the genre appears poised to maintain its popularity. However, not every simulation game finds success, as many promising titles get canceled before players can experience them.
The following list pays tribute tosimulation games that were shelved by their developersdespite generating excitement before release. These titles had the potential to innovate within the simulation genre and could have garnered devoted fanbases had they been released.
6SimMars
A Sims-Like Game That Would Bring Simmers To Space
Back in the ’90s, Maxis struck gold with a series of hit simulation games likeSimLifeandSimEarth, which offered unique spins on city-building and civilization-growing concepts. The announcement ofSimMars, however, generated exceptional excitement among gamers, as its premise promised a sci-fi fan’s dream: colonizing Mars.
Though details aboutSimMarswere sparse, an Easter egg inThe Sims: Vacationhinted that the game would let players build shelters on Mars, gather alien resources, and create a self-sufficient civilization through a network of specialized colonies. The anticipation for this game was so strong that, even today, a mod forThe Sims 4allows players to colonize Mars. This fan-made modificationoverlays Mars onto the game’s map, usingThe Sims 4’s gameplay features to create the illusion of living on another planet.
5Microsoft’s Train Simulator 2
An Exciting Sequel That Included New Features
Microsoft’sTrain Simulatorinitially achieved significant financial success, generating over $10 million in revenue by 2001. This success prompted Microsoft toannounce a sequel in 2003, which included a demo showcasing new features like an expanded railroad builder. Despite positive reception from the community for the demo, Microsoft later decided to discontinue the franchise. Instead, they chose to focus on their other thriving simulation games, such asMicrosoft Flight Simulator, a decision that has proven financially prudent over the years.
Some enthusiasts speculate that the rise of another popular train simulation game,Trainz, played a role in Microsoft’s decision to cancelTrain Simulator 2. Although Microsoft has not commented on this speculation, the competitive atmosphere between the two games was intense at the time.Trainzwas particularly lauded for its creativity and user-generated content-friendly gameplay, possibly influencing the dynamics of the train simulation market during that period.
4Babylon 5: Into The Fire
Promised Innovative Visuals And Fun Space Combat
Babylon 5was a beloved TV series in the 90s, and it prompted Sierra Entertainment, famous for theirHigh-Res Adventuresseries, to develop an official video game to expand its universe. In 1999, a trailer forBabylon 5: Into the Fireshowcased its innovative visuals andspace combat simulation gameplay, receiving positive feedback from the gaming community. This was notable at a time when many space-themed games were losing their appeal due to repetitive content. Despite initial enthusiasm, the game was abruptly canceled in 2000, leaving fans of the show and space games disappointed.
The exact reason forBabylon 5: Into the Fire’s cancelation remains unclear. Some speculate it may have been influenced by TNT’s decision not to renew the show’s spin-off,Crusade, for a second season. Nevertheless, had it been released,Babylon 5: Into the Firecould become a cherished cult classic among space simulation enthusiasts.
3SimsVille
A Merging Of The Sims And SimCity
In 2000, Maxis announcedSimsVille, an ambitious project that would blend the universes ofThe SimsandSimCityinto a single life simulation game. Fans eagerly anticipated what was promised to be one of thegreatest simulation games in history, given Maxis' track record with successful simulation titles. However, just a year after its announcement, Maxis decided to shelveSimsVille, opting instead to focus on its flagship titles rather than expanding into new intellectual properties.
WhileSimsVille’s cancelation was disappointing, it wasn’t as tragic as other canceled simulation games on the list. Maxis repurposed some ofSimsVille’s ideas, integrating them into their existing popular sims likeThe SimsandSimCity. This decision allowed developers to enhance their already successful titles. Still, from the perspective of gamers, the prospect of another innovative life simulation game from Maxis, especially one as promising asSimsVille, would have been welcomed warmly.
2ION
An Incredibly Ambitious Simulation Game Set In Space
Introduced at E3 2015,IONwas unveiled as a monumental simulation game, described by its creators as more of a universe than a mere game. Inspired bySpace Station 13,IONpromised anexpansive open-world space simulationwhere players could autonomously colonize planets in an MMO-style experience.
Developed collaboratively by Improbable and RocketWerkz, Dean Hall’s studio known forDayZ,IONgarnered immense excitement worldwide with its ambitious premise. Unfortunately, the scale of the project and challenges in communication between the studios ultimately led to its cancelation. Since then, fans have continued to yearn for a space simulator akin toION, offering free exploration of space and robust survival mechanics — a demand that even large-scale AAA titles likeStarfieldhave struggled to meet.
1Life By You
An In-Depth Life Simulator That Could Have Rivaled The Sims
Life By Youmade waves upon its 2023 announcement, generating high anticipation among players who dubbed it as a potential successor toThe Sims. Promisingan expansive open-worldwhere players could engage in virtually any real-life activity — from love and parenting to career pursuits — the game’s most ambitious feature was how it would give gamers the ability to control any avatar in the city at any time. Despite building a substantial fanbase and nearing Early Access, Paradox Interactive abruptly canceledLife By You. The decision stemmed from extended development timelines and failure to meet technical milestones, leading to the closure of the game’s developer, Tectonic, after six years of work.
Speculation suggests the cancelation was a preemptive move by Paradox Interactive following the rocky launch ofCities Skylines 2in 2023. The sequel’s buggy release prompted significant backlash, forcing the company to alter DLC plans and offer expansions for free in an attempt to salvage player trust. However,Cities Skylines 2struggled to retain its fanbase, negatively impacting its predecessor as well. Despite its cancelation,Life By Youleaves a mark on gaming history as one of the most eagerly anticipated simulation titles to face an unfortunate demise. Fortunately, otherpromising simulation games likeInZoi,Vivaland, andParalivesoffer hope for fans eagerly awaiting innovative gameplay experiences, provided they avoid the pitfalls that befellLife By You.
