This thesis focuses on the popularity of simulation games in contemporary China. It aims to understand Chinese users’ motivations for playing and abandoning simulation games, and to explore the strategies that Chinese game designers use to attract players by capitalizing upon the Chinese sociological characteristics. It also attempts to examine the potential benefits of playing simulation games on Chinese gamers’ life by interpreting how simulation games promote people’s interpersonal relationships, character development, and other personal skills. This research mainly concentrates on three sub-genres of simulation games: life simulation, dating simulation, and construction and management simulation games. By analyzing the results of 30 semi-structured interviews with Chinese college students aged from 19 to 25, the author concludes that affective interaction, achieving a sense of satisfaction, and fantasy fulfillment are three crucial reasons that Chinese gamers are addicted to simulation games. On the other hand, three factors: a lack of immersion, money-oriented game systems, and repetitive game settings, contribute to their fatigue of playing simulation games. Furthermore, from highlighting the developers’ strategies such as creating a shared sense of identity, satisfying Chinese players’ nostalgia and yearn for farming life, and winning over the female players, the author sheds light on phenomena that are unique to contemporary Chinese society. In China, the public views Chinese video games mainly as a form of entertainment. However, this work highlights the possibilities of using simulation games as an educational and training tool.Bachelor of Art
