Please provide me with a brief history of the god-game genre of video games, including some important titles in the genre and information on general trends in its popularity, up to the present time.
user
The god-game genre of video games, also known as "simulation games," involves players taking on the role of a deity, tasked with creating and managing a virtual world and its inhabitants. The genre is often characterized by an emphasis on sandbox-style gameplay, allowing players to experiment with different approaches and strategies for managing their virtual world.

One of the earliest and most influential god-games was "SimCity" (1989), developed by Will Wright and published by Maxis. SimCity was a hit, selling over a million copies, and it spawned several sequels, including "SimCity 2000" (1993), "SimCity 3000" (1999), and "SimCity 4" (2003).

In 1997, the god-game genre received a new entry with the release of "Populous," developed by Peter Molyneux and published by Bullfrog Productions. Populous allowed players to control a tribe of followers, leading them to victory over rival tribes. The game was a critical and commercial success, and it spawned several sequels and spin-offs, including "Populous II" (1991) and "Populous: The Beginning" (1998).

In the years that followed, the popularity of god-games ebbed and flowed, with some titles, such as "Black & White" (2001) and "Spore" (2008), receiving widespread critical acclaim, while others, such as "The Sims" (2000) and its numerous sequels and spin-offs, achieved tremendous commercial success.

In recent years, the god-game genre has experienced a resurgence in popularity, with a new generation of titles, such as "Civilization VI" (2016), "Terraria" (2011), and "Factorio" (2016), drawing new players to the genre and introducing new gameplay mechanics and features.

Overall, the god-game genre has a rich history, with many important titles and trends, and it remains a popular and enduring genre in the world of video games.
assistant
What's the difference between a god-game and a strategy game?
user
God-games are a subgenre of strategy games in which the player takes on the role of a deity and exercises control over the virtual world and its inhabitants. The player's goal is often to build and manage a civilization, guide its development, and intervene in the lives of its citizens.

Strategy games, on the other hand, are a broader genre of games that involve making decisions to achieve a specific goal or set of goals. This can involve resource management, diplomacy, and military tactics, among other elements. While some strategy games may have a god-like perspective, not all of them do, and they can take many other forms as well.

In summary, the main difference is that a god-game focuses on the player taking on a metapowerful role and influencing the world, while strategy games focus on making decisions to achieve a goal.
assistant