SimEarth

SimEarth: The Living Planet is a life simulation video game designed by Will Wright and released by Maxis in 1990. As its name suggests, SimEarth allows players to control the development of a planet from its primordial beginnings to its potential future, simulating various geological and atmospheric processes to create conditions suitable for life and, ultimately, intelligent civilization.

The core gameplay of SimEarth involves managing a planet's atmosphere, landmasses, and temperature, influencing factors like continental drift, volcanic activity, and the introduction of different life forms. The player can choose to focus on fostering specific ecosystems or aiming for the evolution of a technologically advanced civilization.

Key mechanics include manipulating the Gaia parameters, a series of variables influencing the planet's overall health and stability. These parameters include atmospheric composition (oxygen, carbon dioxide), temperature, sea level, and biomass. The player must carefully balance these parameters to avoid catastrophic events such as ice ages or global warming, which can lead to mass extinctions.

SimEarth features a variety of scenarios, ranging from recreating Earth's history to terraforming Mars or creating an alien planet from scratch. The game also includes a "Random Planet" option, allowing for unpredictable and often challenging environments.

The game's educational value lies in its simplified yet informative representation of complex planetary systems and evolutionary processes. While not perfectly scientifically accurate, SimEarth provides a basic understanding of how interconnected different environmental factors are and how they influence the development of life.

Critically acclaimed upon release, SimEarth was praised for its innovative gameplay, depth, and educational value. It is considered a classic of the simulation genre and remains influential for its pioneering approach to planetary and life simulation. It spawned related titles, notably SimLife, which focused on genetic engineering and evolution at a smaller scale.