Technically speaking, it is a representation of the objects, characteristics, behaviors, and relationships of one system through the use of another system. For example, a model of an office building uses pieces of wood and paint to represent a concrete structure and the landscape surrounding it. We can therefore say that a simulation game has play objects, goals, rules, and roles that reflect real-world products and processes. A simulation game enables participants to experience an almost real experience to discover underlying principles and to practice appropriate skills. Last week, you signed up to become a volunteer member of the mayor's advisory committee.
Today is the first meeting.
Your facilitator invites you to play the game any way your team wants to, but warns that next Friday a panel of experts will inspect different cities administered by different teams. Fortunately, one of the younger members on your team is familiar with computer games. You learn how to pause the simulation while you set up residential, commercial, and industrial zones and connect them with roads. You then experiment with different menus, tools, and windows. When your team decides to build a power plant, you have a choice of coal, oil, gas, wind, solar, hydroelectric, and nuclear.