Page "Video game genres" Paragraph 44

In city-building games the player acts as overall planner or leader to meet the needs and wants of game characters by initiating structures for food, shelter, health, spiritual care, economic growth, etc.

Success is achieved when the city budget makes a growing profit and citizens experience an upgraded lifestyle in housing, health, and goods.

While military development is often included, the emphasis is on economic strength.

Perhaps the most known game of this type is SimCity, which is still popular and has had great influence on later city-building games.

SimCity, however, also belongs to the God Games genre since it gives the player god-like abilities in manipulating the world.

Caesar was a long-running series in this genre, with the original game spawning three sequels.