# Life Gaming Consumers turn to video games to simulate real-life experiences. By [Katherinev123](https://www.trendhunter.com/katherine), Contributing Editor | Published Jun 22, 2011, updated Jun 28, 2011 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/life-gaming ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.3/10 - Evidence articles: 8 ## What is the Life Gaming trend? **Life Gaming:** Thanks to the popularity of the farming game Farmville, consumers are once again embracing life-mimicking games, from new versions of The Sims to entrepreneur role-playing games. However, today’s online gamers also get social networking capability—not only can they simulate life experiences, they can also share them with their friends. Like augmented reality and reality TV, life-simulating games let a person go outside of their comfort zone and “live” in a way that may be drastically different to reality. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 8 featured examples - Articles from: Jul 21, 2010 to Jun 15, 2011 - Published: Jun 22, 2011 - Last updated: Jun 28, 2011 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Instant Entrepreneurship](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/instant-entrepreneurship), [Gamification](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/gamification), [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience) ## Audience - Gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Examples of the Life Gaming trend 8 featured examples from Jul 21, 2010 to Jun 15, 2011. - [Entrepreneur Flash Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/corporation-inc): Corporation Inc. is a Safe Way to Build a Business (Category: Tech) Implication: Corporation Inc. - [Relationship Status Sites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tokii): Tokii Lets You Manage Your Relationship Online (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The development of online relationship management platforms like Tokii presents opportunities for tech companies to create innovative tools and features that enhance couples' comm… - [Entrepreneurial Retail Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/facebook-retail-therapy-game): Own a Boutique with PopSugar's Facebook 'Retail Therapy' Game (Category: Tech) Implication: Fashion companies can leverage virtual retail gaming to promote their brand and engage customers. - [Game-Based Recruiting](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/my-marriott-hotel): My Marriott Hotel is a Farmville-Like Game for the Hospitality Industry (Category: Marketing) Implication: The hospitality industry can leverage gamified recruiting to attract and hire new talent effectively and efficiently. - [Pop Star Social Media Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gagaville): The GagaVille Zynga Game is Exactly Like FarmVille (Category: Tech) Implication: Opportunity to collaborate with celebrities to enhance game content and leverage their fan base for game promotion. - [Simulated Social Media Realities](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sims-social): The Sims Social on Facebook Will Increase User Interactions (Category: Tech) Implication: Video game companies can capitalize on expanding their online games to social media platforms to increase user engagement. - [Crowdsourced Ranches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/myfarm-project): The MyFarm Project is a Real-Life Farmville (Category: Social Good) Implication: The agricultural sector now has more opportunities to engage and educate consumers with new, digitally-enabled, and innovative techniques. - [Social City-Planning Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zynga-cityville): Zynga Cityville is a New Vice for Farmville Addicts on Facebook (Category: Tech) Implication: Opportunity for game developers and companies to create innovative and addictive social networking games, attracting a large user base and generating revenue through in-game purch… ## Themes within the Life Gaming trend ### Life-Simulating Games The rise of life-simulating games has created virtual realities that allow people to take risks and play out scenarios beyond their comfort zones. ### Social Networking Capability Social networking capability in video gaming has allowed users to share experiences and add another layer of interconnectivity to their digital lives. ### Game-based training Companies are increasingly using game-based training, recruiting, and entrepreneurship simulation, like 'My Marriott Hotel,' to train and engage employees and job candidates. ## What the Life Gaming trend means for industry ### For Hospitality Industry Companies in the hospitality industry can use game-based recruitment and training to attract new employees and retain existing ones by providing a fun and interactive way to learn about the industry. ### For Video Game Industry The video game industry can continue to explore the potential of life-simulating games and social networking capability as users seek ever more immersive and interactive experiences. ### For Job Training and Recruitment The use of game-based training and recruitment can be adopted by a wide range of industries to provide a fun and interactive way to teach and attract new talent. ## Trend signals for Life Gaming Trend score 3.3 out of 10, from popularity 58%, activity 33%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 58% - Activity: 33% - Freshness: 8% ## Recent trend clusters - [Pocket Continuity](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/foldable-phone-accessories) (Tech) - [Proactive Objects](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/proactive-consumer-devices) (Tech) - [Structured Stacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ai-ready-software) (Tech) - [Ambient Assistance](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/adaptive-sensory-devices) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Budget Tough-Screen Phones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/budget-tough-screen-phones) - [Temple-Mounted Health Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/temple-mounted-health-wearables) - [Nonverbal Companion Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nonverbal-companion-robots) - [Screenless Thermal Print Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/screenless-thermal-print-cameras) All articles: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech)