On the subject of the requirements and expectations for something to qualify as a sim, here's a blast from the past that popped up in YouTube recommendations, a well-made retrospective showcasing
Viper Racing, one of the first most sophisticated PC sims I grew up with:
As documented in this video,
Viper Racing features:
- Full physics-based freedom of movement, and a respectable tire model for its time
- Engine torque acting on the chassis
- Early support for a clutch axis and force feedback
- Dynamic deformation from collisions, also affecting suspension alignment
- Geometric suspension modelling
- Upgrades (!)
- Basic telemetry logging G-forces
- Fantasy circuits (!)
- Cannonball launcher (!!)
- Magic wheelie button you could use to fly, or to crush a disabled Viper into a small clump like a piece of aluminum foil (!!)
- A crude airplane you could fly around, shooting cannonballs at cars and buildings (!!!)
Viper Racing did
not include:
- Engine damage, even after serious collisions
- Tire wear or temperature
- Fuel consumption
- Qualifying
- Pitstops
- Real world circuits or motorsport
So...is it a sim?