Simulate Me

Flying into Heathrow, nice day, low winds and a great touchdown. No I haven't gone crazy and think I'm really flying, I'm just playing Flight Simulator X. Playing might actually be the wrong word for some, for others this isn't some game, its a simulation, a way of life.

For many onlookers simulators look like some kids toys for grown ups who have yet to put away their fireman, policeman, pilot uniforms. Yes in some cases this is just people trying to be who they aren't but for most it is simply a nice escape from the burdens of life. Flight simulators and racing simulators are certainly the most popular however there is a small niche out there for every job, for example bus, train and boat simulators have a fair few followers as well.

For me, I guess I just wanted to try a bit of flying (despite being completely shit scared of flying ;) ). I was surprised by the amount of technical detail packed into FSX, about a million and one buttons in the cockpit. I was stumped so I took the realism down a bit and made it more automated. After some time I got used to flying, starting with the small planes and worked my way up to the 747. I purchased the Saitek X52 Hotas joystick and my immersion and love for the game *ahem* simulator soared. It's hard to describe why I love taking the plane up for a bit of a spin but I just do, its peaceful. No guns, no cliche story, no bad guy, just me and my plane.

I guess that deep down we all want to be someone else, try something new or just get away from things for a while and Simulators allow for that perfectly. I may not be into trains but I can appreciate why others get the same thrill from it as I do from the flying. It may be a niche market but it shouldn't be one that is ignored, with a bit more marketing I'd say games such as FSX or X-Plane could be enjoyed by even more people who yet to experience what its like to 'simulate'.