Why 'Immersive Sim' Might Be Hurting the Games You Love

If more studios ditch the 'immersive sim' label for 'RPG,' it could help niche games reach wider audiences—but might alienate hardcore fans who cherish the term.

If more studios ditch the 'immersive sim' label for 'RPG,' it could help niche games reach wider audiences—but might alienate hardcore fans who cherish the term.

Key points - New Blood CEO Dave Oshry says 'immersive sim' is a terrible marketing term that sucks. - New Blood has invested years into early access immersive sims Gloomwood and Fallen Aces. - Oshry argues immersive sims are essentially RPGs and should be marketed as such. - Arkane founder Raphael Colantonio agrees that 'nobody wonders what an RPG is.' - Oshry tried marketing Gloomwood as 'Thief with guns' but found it created high expectations.

Timeline - Late 1990s-2000: Looking Glass alumni coin 'immersive sim' to codify shared design principles. - 2020s: New Blood begins early access for Gloomwood and Fallen Aces. - Recent: Oshry publicly states 'immersive sim' is an awful marketing term.

FAQ

Q: What is an immersive sim? A: A first-person game focused on emergent problem-solving, like stacking boxes or crawling through vents, often with stealth and RPG elements. Examples include Deus Ex and Thief.

Q: Why does Dave Oshry dislike the term? A: He says it's niche and confusing to mainstream players, while RPGs are widely understood and sell better. He argues immersive sims are basically RPGs.

Q: What games is New Blood working on? A: New Blood is developing Gloomwood and Fallen Aces, both in early access, alongside publishing boomer shooters like Dusk and Ultrakill.