so yah, re: gamers who play more hardcore 'realistic' sims likeeeee farmin', driving a truck with cargo, re-doin' a house, flyin' a plane, etcetc (heck, even buildin' a computer!), is that because youre passionate about it and would <3 teh opportunity in teh real world (without having to worry or stress about lifestyle choices or upheaval or general ability or qualifications), or is it just a way to indulge in a fantasy, even if it is more realistic-based?

Yes, I never understood how could people play all those German "boring job simulator" games. It's a mystery in the world of gaming.

Certainly with flight and train simulators the want to do that in real life has to be a major draw, but I dont see that being the case (for so many) with the farming, underwater ceramics technician, dutiful admin temp simulators etc

I don't know about boring "job" simulators, but I do like the realistic fantasy of driving, flying, or shooting sims. Of course I like them more if they allow me to do whacky things that you would never do on the job. Like fly a plane under bridges and between skyscrapers. Oh boy, I would love a realistic street racing simulator. Like NFSU without the silly arcadeness.

I don't know why exactly, but realistic sims just feel more immersive than pure fantasy machines.

I guess part of the issue is that fantasy stuff tends to not simulate damage, and then it feels like there's nothing at stake: you're a bullet sponge who can take a blast in the face, eat a medkit (or sit in a corner for a moment) and then keep going like nothing ever happened. You can hit oncoming traffic head on at 200 kph, do a few backflips, and keep driving like it was just a speedbump. Or make crazy ufo-like maneuvers instead of having to master the machine to make it do what you want -- and risk stalling or flying into hurt if you screw it up. Meh. Dunno, when there's realistic damage and something at stake, it feels a good simulation of real thrill.

No, I would never take a job as a pilot, pro racer, or soldier.

Neither for fantasy or from a want to do them as a job.
Flight,Shooting,Tanky,Driving etc all for fun, often the sense of achievement is bigger, the warm fuzzy pay-off is worth the longer learning curve associated with such games. That and blowing shit up is fun.

Although I cannot understand what you write at the first try, I always be thankfull for the tip on a game I enjoyed like did not for other games in years...

I dont want a job as a car racer or paintball (fps), much less as a treasure hunter (actually this should be fun). I don't want as a gamer either. From my experience over the years, never mix hobbie and work, most likely you'll loose passion or money... Maybe both...

Moslee it's fantasee. Though I'va known peoples soooo into some simies, with the time and effort they putin insees, that I wonder whys they just dun goes do it for real and makesies some moneyies for like reelsee. Of course, not everyones can bee's a pilot or a racin' driver, so those thingies make a lotta sense. But damnies, if you wan' ta drive a street sweeper that muchies, why not gone and apply for the actual jobsie? Street Sweeper Simulator is a real gamie btw.

I knew this one guy that was so into Flight Simulator that he joined online airlines and flew to a daily schedule and everything. He got in trouble if his flights were delayed! He would spend all weekend flying long haul flights in real time. His wife would dress up as a flight hostess and bring him his meals.
Well okay, I made the part up about his wife dressing up. Sorry I don't have the time to edit this second paragraph.

For sure! I've always wanted to be a space fighter pilot.

Sadly, space combat will probably only be performed by drones...

...unless we're lucky enough to have to go to war against the Cylons!

I could never get into those games. I could see the attraction for a younger gamer who are interested in a certain profession like pilot. I'm sure they exist, but I don't know anyone who wants to be a commercial truck driver.

I'm european living in Australia

Euro truck simulator is very charming and I come back to it from time to time

Put on local European radio station, listen to it when driving through familiar setting which is so far in real life.

Very relaxing.

Do get bored with it tough very quickly and don't do more than 3 hours in one or two sittings.
Then I take a break for 4 to 6 months and do it again. Been doing that for past 5 years.

I thought the same thing when I heard about the Japanese theme park where children pretend to do normal jobs. Some things, just don't make much sense outside the cultural context in which they spring up.

I think there's something oddly satisfying about optimizing things, even if they're ultimately not of any practical purpose.

Holy shit. I haven't seen you around for ages.

Definitely enjoy flight sims and hope to get my pilot's license and take to the skies one day. So yeah, there are certain sims out there that fulfill a desire to know what it's like to do this or that.

I remember reading somewhere that truck driving simulators are very popular among retired truck drivers. Perhaps they miss the road and want to reminisce from the comfort of their homes.

I'm waiting to play a game in which you simulate playing a professional gamer.

I then want to see it played in official tournaments with large cash prizes.

Steams has already reached the pinnacle of the game development simulators by offering an "Asset Flip Simulator" game. It has since been removed - probably to give the buyers a more realistic experience.