There is a class of gamer who loves to take their time and craft something with patience and determination, or perhaps do some job that is, well, an actual job.
Maybe it’s to do a job they could never do in the real world. It could be something very realistic, such as rebuilding car engines, or somewhat exotic, such as building an aquarium full of sharks or digging up dinosaur fossils.
I always wanted to run a pawn shop full of cool crap, like that old guy from Gremlins. Maybe you wonder what it’s like to be a drunk and angry East European peasant farmer. We’ve all been there.
Whatever your simulation kick, Steam Simfest is currently showcasing a bunch of such titles. I browsed through the presentations, and here’s a selection of games that will turn gaming into a job you might enjoy.
Note: Some of these games are still in their demo phase, so don’t get too excited until you check them out.
Farmer’s Life [Steam Link]
Have you ever wondered what the life of an East European-nowhere farmer (the game’s description, not mine) is like? It’s rustic, but less country getaway and more Evil Dead cottage sans the demons. Except there’s vodka and fistfights, so evil spirits and violence abound in this farming simulator.
Builder Simulator [Steam Link]
Build a house from scratch in this detailed simulator, right down to laying the foundations and putting up scaffolding to reach the roof. You even have to use a spirit level. If you don’t know what that is, maybe play this first before attempting an actual building project…
Festival Tycoon [Steam Link]
Unless you’re in a band, chances are you only experienced music festivals from the vantage of a drunk and stoned attendee. Trade that wristband for organisers’ credentials and make your music event, complete with overpriced stalls and questionable porta-potties.
Dinosaur Fossil Hunter [Steam Link]
Many kids dream about becoming a fossil hunter, mainly because we had no idea just how much work it is. On the other hand, in hindsight digging for bones in a dusty creek sounds better than getting stuck in a daily commute. This game lets you know what you missed, but with a little less of the tedium.
My Museum [Steam Link]
I include this game because someone must be into this. But just watching the videos of someone laboriously polishing every inch of a shield made my eyes drop back into my skull. Hopefully, you can cheat around that stuff because the scavenging part looks fun.
Potion Craft [Steam Link]
Potion Craft combines quirky visuals with a fun idea: you are a medieval potion maker, gathering ingredients and putting together concoctions that help improve the lives of your clientele, presumably. I’ve seen this game before, and it has a really unique charm to it.
Prison Simulator [Steam Link]
Step into the boots of a prison guard as well as jail administrator in this first-person/management title. You can choose how you approach matters, spending money and treating inmates. Expect some riots, I suppose!
Aquarist [Steam Link]
If you missed your calling to run your own aquarium business, now you can relive those missed glory days. Start small and build up your store, taking on larger and more elaborate projects. And probably learn a few things about fish beyond what they look like crumbed.
Passpartout: The Starving Artist [Steam Link]
I can’t quite get my head around this game, where you make art to try and claw your way out of poverty and into Andy Warhol fantasies. But the style looks cool, and I like the different locations you can unlock.
Rover Mechanic Simulator [Steam Link]
I never thought I’d see a game about building Mars rovers. It’s not that I thought the idea was too exotic. I’ve literally never even thought of this as a concept. But someone did, and they made it insanely detailed. I’m not sure if it will satisfy NASA engineer-wannabes, but what the hell do I know?
Barn Finders [Steam Link]
It’s like that show Storage Wars – you bid on barns and storage units, and find stuff that you restore and flip for a big profit. Well, I think that’s how it works – I’ve never seen Storage Wars. But I saw a Simpsons episode about it, so I guess it’s where you find grandpa’s wigs.
Farming Simulator 22 [Steam Link]
Farming Simulator has a hardcore fan base, and it looks pretty sweet – if you’re into virtual farming. And not the type of stuff in survival games where you plant a log and grow a dragon fruit plant. This game is serious about its agricultural credentials.
Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 [Steam Link]
If the Steam reviews are to be believed, this is the car mechanic game to own. Now, I know how to change my car’s oil and filters, but the rest goes to the friendly neighbourhood mechanic. He doesn’t own a gaming computer, so I can’t ask him if this is accurate. But I’m not going to disagree with the wisdom of Steam reviews…
Tank Mechanic Simulator [Steam Link]
In another entry of the “I didn’t know you could get a game like this”, find old tanks, fix them up and sell them – or drive them around your tank lot. Who knew there were so many derelict tanks lying around that this is even a thing? Maybe there aren’t, which is why we have a game about it.
Food Truck Simulator [Steam Link]
I suck at cooking simulators. I’d get to a few orders, then screw it up and set fire to the kitchen. But if you ever felt that that’s not enough – that you also need to design a vehicle and find the best spots to sell your street food (or maybe you loved the movie Chef) – then I have a game for you!
Ship Graveyard Simulator [Steam Link]
I already used that line about “I didn’t know this is a game idea” – twice. And yet here we are. If there is anyone who can never afford a gaming machine, it’s some poor sap on an Indian coast stripping large ships. And if there is anyone who will never do that as a job, it’s whoever plays this game. Looks fun, though – a lot of breaking stuff! I could give it a bash.
Animal Shelter Simulator [Steam Link]
The problem with animal shelters is that you want to take all the creatures home. This business simulator is a little lighter than the real thing (I don’t see anything about euthanasia) and might be a pleasant diversion for your inner animal rescue spirit.
Espresso Tycoon [Steam Link]
Still very much a demo, this game promises to be an engaging cafe creation game where you try your caffeine concoctions on the public. Can you out-Starbucks Starbucks? I don’t know. I’m a fan of Denis Leary’s coffee-flavoured coffee. That one joke he didn’t ‘borrow’ from Bill Hicks.
Technicity [Steam Link]
Technicity lets you build a city in the first person. I’m not sure how that will work. You can do it piece by piece, which seems insane, but you might also be able to automate things a little. I’m also unclear if the city becomes alive, like taking a walk in your City Skylines creations. Still, it will have a co-op mode – and I always approve of quirky co-op experiences.
Visit Steam Simfest for a whole lot more day job games – it’s running until 4 April.