Hello!
My newly founded studio group is currently working on it’s first project - SUPERHERO SIMULATOR.
The gameplay is going to be outwith that of a typical simulator, with an abundance of quests (which differ based on whether you are a hero or a villain), unique ability loadouts, unique perks, PVP arenas, etc…
Although I’ve read some threads here that would suggest the ‘Simulator’ tag on my game would put it at an immediate disadvantage, even having some people write it off just because of the name.
Do you agree with this? Is it important enough that I should change the name; even if I have to pay for GFX adjustments?
If it isn’t a click to grind game, don’t call it a simulator. Otherwise players will join expecting the simulator experience, only to feel like they’ve been tricked into joining something completely different.
If it IS a click to grind game, call it a simulator so you can attract fans of the genre.
I do get that, although I don’t think most Simulator fans are actually fans of the “clicking” type. Sure, there are some prominent ones, but if you go to the “Simulator” category on the front page, most of the popular ones don’t actually follow that format.
Most players think of click to grind when they hear the word simulator. The simulator page has many games with click to grind, or clicking on something to grind. But those games with over 3k players are not where the reputation has come from. The association got stronger as a result of thousands of low quality copycats bombarding the ad system over the years. That is why some people say it’s an immediate disadvantage. That being said, if that accurately describes what your game is, you might as well be honest about it because clickbaiting will lead to poor ratings.
Sure, low-quality copycats bombarded the ad system, but they’re not the ones with the majority of the playerbase. They’re the ones that people play for a week. For the most part, the ones that people are still playing to this day and actually reached a large amount of success don’t follow that format.
It doesn’t AUTOMATICALLY put it at a disadvantage, it’s only when the game gets really grindy. Take Anime Fighting Simulator, it has tournaments, bosses, etc. If you make you’re game not grindy, and cleary say it in the description, I don’t think it will be at an automatic disadvantage.