Are sims stimulating or frustrating?

The game nerds and I were having a discussion the other day about racing games. I'm a hard core sim racing fan. I LOVE Gran Turismo and Forza as game franchises. My fellow nerds on the blog said that they prefer arcade racing, like Project Gotham or Burnout Paradise.

In response to this conversation I am going to write a quick post about why simulation games are great. For me, with driving being a passion, high gas prices have hindered my ability to enjoy this activity. However, buying a Logitech steering wheel and driving 200mph in my room, is a solid substitute. When I get stressed or bored I like to go for a drive, and sim racing games allow me to zip around exotic tracks, in exotic cars, against...well, less than exotic, competition. But even so, the thrill of mastering "real" physics of certain cars or tracks is a challenge I revel in.

Racing sims aren't the only sim games I enjoy. I played basketball all through high school and into college, and I thoroughly enjoy playing games like NCAA Basketball 2009, 2010, NBA Live, 2K, etc. I like having the ability to run plays, recruit players, sign rookies and develop a winning program. Franchise mode in college and pro games has quickly become my favorite new feature in basketball games. When the draft rolls around in NBA Live I compile PAGES of notes about made up players with ridiculous names (Jan Crisp, anyone?) and made up skill sets. Trying to put together a game plan for the team I construct is loads of fun. Calling plays, calling the RIGHT plays for the right situation is far more fulfilling for me than a game like NBA Jam or NBA Street.

All in all sim games are fun for me because they ask me to perform difficult, albeit somewhat real-world style tasks. I COULD drive a Dodge Viper around Laguna Seca (I probably never will) and I COULD call for a pick and roll with 2 seconds left in an NCAA tournament game (that WON'T happen). This reach for realism is something I really enjoy. It can be very frustrating when the "real world" causes you to lose traction or blocks your last second shot, but if I succeed it makes it that much sweeter.

Which side of the sim fence do you fall on?
(picture provided by Force Dynamics Motion Simulation)