Editing SimAnt

{{Short description|1991 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = SimAnt: The Electronic Ant Colony
| image = SimAnt Coverart.png
| caption = Original cover art
| developer = [[Maxis]]{{efn|Ported to FM Towns, PC-98, X68000 and SNES by [[Imagineer (Japanese company)|Imagineer]]}}
| publisher = Maxis
| designer = Justin McCormick<br />[[Will Wright (game designer)|Will Wright]]
| composer = 
| engine = 
| series = ''[[List of Sim video games|Sim]]''
| released = '''Mac, MS-DOS, Windows'''<br />1991<br />'''Amiga'''<br />1992<br />'''FM Towns, PC-98, X68000, SNES'''<br />1993
| genre = [[Life simulation game|Life simulation]]
| modes = [[Single player]]
| platforms = [[Mac (computer)|Mac]], [[MS-DOS]], [[Windows 3.1x|Windows 3.x]], [[Amiga]], [[FM Towns]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/Neo_Kobe_Fujitsu_FM_Towns_2016-02-25|title=FM Towns ROM Archive}} SimAnt FM Towns ROM.</ref> [[PC-98]], [[X68000]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]]
}}

'''''SimAnt: The Electronic Ant Colony''''' is a 1991 [[life simulation game|life simulation]] [[video game]] by [[Maxis]] and the company's third product, focusing on the lifecycle of [[ant]]s. It was [[game design|designed]] by [[Will Wright (game designer)|Will Wright]]. In 1992, it was named "Best Simulation Game" at the [[Software Publishers Association]]'s [[Codie awards|Codie award]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siia.net/codies/2006/history_1992.asp |title=1992 Excellence in Software Awards Winners: Best Simulation Program |access-date=2007-03-13 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211121553/http://www.siia.net/codies/2006/history_1992.asp |archive-date=December 11, 2008 }}</ref> ''SimAnt'' was re-released in 1993 as part of the ''SimClassics Volume 1'' compilation alongside ''[[SimCity (1989 video game)|SimCity Classic]]'' and ''[[SimLife]]'' for MS-DOS, Mac and Amiga.<ref>{{cite magazine|title = SimClassics Volume 1 Compilation Advertisement|date = August 1994|url = https://archive.org/details/theone-magazine-70|magazine = The One|publisher = emap Images|issue = 70|page = [https://archive.org/details/theone-magazine-70/page/n115 116]}}</ref> In 1996, ''SimAnt'', alongside several of Maxis' simulation games were re-released under the ''Maxis Collector Series'' with greater compatibility with [[Windows 95]] and differing box art, including the addition of ''Classics'' beneath the title.<ref>{{cite web |title=Maxis SimAnt Store Webpage |url=http://www.maxis.com/games/simant/ |access-date=28 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980113205955/http://www.maxis.com/games/simant/ |archive-date=1998-01-13 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
The game is a [[simulation]] of an [[ant colony]]. Wright was inspired by [[E. O. Wilson]]'s study of ant colonies.<ref>{{cite news|last=Baker|first=Chris|title=The Creator|newspaper=Wired|date=August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/11/06/game-master|title=Game Master|last=Seabrook|first=John|date=6 November 2006|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|publisher=[[Condé Nast]]|access-date=29 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722213750/http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/11/06/game-master|archive-date=22 July 2014}}</ref> The game consists of three modes: a Quick Game, a Full Game, and an Experimental Game. It was released for [[MS-DOS]], [[Amiga]], [[Mac (computer)|Mac]], and [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]]. The Super NES version adds eight [[scenario]]s, where the goal in each is to eliminate the enemy [[red ant]]s in various locales, each with different hazards.

In ''SimAnt'', the player plays the role of an [[ant]] in a colony of [[Black garden ant|black ant]]s in the back yard of a [[suburb|suburban home]]. The ant colony must battle against enemy [[Red imported fire ant|red ants]]. The ultimate goal is to spread throughout the garden, into the house, and finally to drive out the red ants and [[human]] owners. In this respect, ''SimAnt'' differed from other 'Sim' games that were open-ended and had no victory conditions.

[[File:SimAnt screenshot.png|thumb|left|Yard view with surface view underneath, Windows 3.x version]]

In the Quick Game, the player establishes a black ant colony in a small patch of yard, shown in [[top-down perspective]]. The computer opponent establishes a competing red ant colony in the same patch. Underground ant colonies are depicted in a side view. The player has direct control of a single ant at a time, indicated by a yellow color, and may switch control to a different ant at any time by either double-clicking the desired ant or choosing Exchange from the Yellow Ant menu and clicking on it. 

The player's yellow ant may influence the behavior of other black ants by leaving [[pheromone]] trails to destinations such as food and enemy ant colonies and can control the other ants in a limited way, by ordering a certain number to follow it, for instance. The yellow ant can also dig new tunnels underground and expand the network of the black colony. The quick game is won or lost when either the red or black colony in said patch is defeated.

The player's yellow ant may pick up food and pebbles, engage in [[trophallaxis]] by receiving [[Regurgitation (digestion)|regurgitated]] food from friendly ants, and attack enemy ants. Groups of ants, or the yellow ant with her recruits, may attack and kill bigger enemies like [[spider]]s, [[caterpillar]]s, and [[antlion]]s. Natural hazards include human footsteps, electrical outlets, bug spray, spiders, [[antlion]]s, [[lawnmower]]s, and [[rain]], which washes away pheromone trails and can flood the bottom of ant nests.

In the Full Game, the player begins with an ant colony in an overhead view, much like the Quick Game. The region of this overhead view is a single square of a map containing a yard and house. The player spreads to other areas by producing young queens and drones to mate with each other.  The full game is lost when the black colonies are eliminated and won when the red colonies are eliminated and the humans are driven out of the house.

The Experimental Game is similar to the Quick Game, except the player can control red ants and spiders and has access to a set of experimental tools. These tools allow the player to place pheromone trails, maze walls, rocks, ants, pesticides and food.

The boxed game comes with a thoroughly researched instruction manual, which covers game mechanics, and contains a large amount of information regarding ants and ant societies.

==Development==
{{Quote box |bgcolor=#FFFFF0 |salign=center |width=30em|We've been able to study social insects and really understand how that intelligence emerges from a collection of very simple little parts, to a degree that's far ahead of the understanding of the brain and its processes. That's, at the lowest level, what's always fascinated me about ants. Kids in particular, they see ants, and what ants do and how organized they are, and there's something almost magical about it. It surprised me that no one had ever done a game about ants, and I kept waiting and waiting, and they never did. So it felt like something that I had to do, because I wanted to play it.|Will Wright, February 2005<ref name="AVClub">{{cite web | author=Phipps, Keith | date=February 2, 2005 | title=Will Wright | url=https://www.avclub.com/will-wright-1798208435 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122075944/https://www.avclub.com/will-wright-1798208435 | archive-date=November 22, 2023 | website=[[The A.V. Club]] | publisher=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste Media Group]] | accessdate=June 29, 2024}}</ref>}}
''SimAnt'' was developed by [[Maxis]] and designed and programmed by the company's co-founder [[Will Wright (game designer)|Will Wright]] alongside his high school friend Justin McCormick. The two each did about half the code and design on the game.<ref name="MacBible">{{cite book | author1=Farkus, Bart | author2=Breen, Christopher | date=1996 | title=The Macintosh Bible Guide to Games | chapter=Maxis: Will Wright Interview | chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/macintoshbiblegu0000fark/page/211/mode/1up
| publisher=[[Peachpit]] | page=211 | 
isbn=978-0-20-188381-7}}</ref> Total production time was less than a year due to their round-the-clock effort. While Wright focused on the simulation core during the day, McCormick handled much of the front-end programming at night with the duo meeting twice daily.<ref name="BuildingSimCity">{{cite book | author=Gingold, Chaim | date=June 4, 2024 | title=Building SimCity: How to Put the World in a Machine | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PgnOEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA216 | publisher=[[MIT Press]] | page=216 | isbn=978-0-26-254748-2}}</ref> This was Wright's third simulation title following 1989's ''[[SimCity (1989 video game)|SimCity]]'' and 1990's ''[[SimEarth]]''. While ''SimEarth'' was a result of Wright's desire to create a simulation other than a direct sequel to the city-building of ''SimCity'', he described ''SimAnt'' as a "slight overreaction" to the seriousness of ''SimEarth''. "I wanted ''SimAnt'' to go in the opposite direction: something non-intimidating, something lighthearted, something fun, something where it was really clear what went wrong," he explained.<ref name="Flylib">{{cite book | author=Rouse III, Richard | date=September 13, 2004 | title=Game Design: Theory and Practice | chapter=Interview: Will Wright | url=https://flylib.com/books/en/4.479.1.114/1/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116012547/https://flylib.com/books/en/4.479.1.114/1/ | archive-date=November 16, 2023 | edition=2nd | page=419 | publisher=[[Jones & Bartlett Learning]] | isbn=9781449633455}}</ref>

Wright was intrigued by [[Eusociality|social insects]] and had been patiently waiting for the release of a computer simulation of an [[Formicarium|ant farm]]. When this never occurred he opted to create one himself.<ref name="AVClub"/> Most of the games he worked on resulted from his academic interest in a field of study and simulation development was "almost an excuse to do years of research on a subject."<ref name="GameInformer">{{cite magazine | author=Juba, Joe | date=November 1, 2012 | title=Reflecting On Maxis: A Will Wright Interview | url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/11/01/will-wright-interview.aspx | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203051930/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/11/01/will-wright-interview.aspx | archive-date=December 3, 2023 | magazine=[[Game Informer]] | publisher=[[GameStop]] | url-status=live | access-date=June 29, 2024}}</ref><ref name="NPR">{{cite web | author=NPR staff | date=September 1, 2009 | title=E.O. Wilson And Will Wright: Ant Lovers Unite! | url=https://www.npr.org/2009/09/01/112203095/e-o-wilson-and-will-wright-ant-lovers-unite | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221131118/https://www.npr.org/2009/09/01/112203095/e-o-wilson-and-will-wright-ant-lovers-unite | archive-date=February 21, 2024 | publisher=[[NPR]] | accessdate=June 29, 2024}}</ref> ''SimAnt'' was largely based on the research of [[Harvard University]] biologist [[E. O. Wilson]], specifically his 1990 zoology textbook ''[[The Ants]]''. Written with colleague [[Bert Hölldobler]], the book details the behavior of ants and the intricacies of their colonies.<ref name="BriefHistory">{{cite book | author=Stanton, Richard | date=July 14, 2015 | title=A Brief History of Video Games | chapter=Simpatico | chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/briefhistoryofvi0000stan_g2z1/page/132/mode/1up | publisher=[[Running Press]] | page=133 | isbn=978-0-76-245615-4}}</ref><ref name="WashingtonPost1">{{cite news | author=O'Connor, Rory J. | date=April 22, 1991 | title=Maxis's Anticipated ''SimAnt'' an Anthem to Ants | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1991/04/22/maxiss-anticipated-simant-an-anthem-to-ants/9818189a-fa69-449b-99fe-9c81f6d21a19/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123124019/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1991/04/22/maxiss-anticipated-simant-an-anthem-to-ants/9818189a-fa69-449b-99fe-9c81f6d21a19/ | archive-date=January 23, 2022 | newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | publisher=Nash Holdings | accessdate=June 29, 2024}}</ref><ref name="WashingtonPost2">{{cite news | author=Oldenburg, Don | date=May 3, 1992 | title=Computers: Terminal Planet Eco-Games to Teach Kids Earth-Saving Values | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1992/05/04/computers/13c9eaad-7573-41ed-ac76-56d633ea04a7/ | archive-url=https://archive.today/20240630002912/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1992/05/04/computers/13c9eaad-7573-41ed-ac76-56d633ea04a7/ | archive-date=June 30, 2024 | newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | publisher=Nash Holdings | accessdate=June 29, 2024}}</ref><ref name="NewYorker">{{cite magazine | author=Seabrook, John | date=October 29, 2006 | title=Game Master |  url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/11/06/game-master | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604013725/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/11/06/game-master | archive-date=June 4, 2024 | magazine=[[The New Yorker]] | publisher=[[Condé Nast]] | accessdate=June 29, 2024}}</ref><ref name="GameDeveloper">{{cite web | author=Donovan, Tristan | date=May 23, 2011 | title=The Replay Interviews: Will Wright | url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/the-replay-interviews-will-wright | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329061904/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/the-replay-interviews-will-wright | archive-date=March 29, 2023 | website=[[Game Developer (website)|Game Developer]] | publisher=[[Informa]] | accessdate=June 29, 2024}}</ref> Wright considered Wilson to be "kind of ''the'' [[Myrmecology|myrmecologist]]" or "the premier myrmecologist" and referencing his work was paramount to building a model for the game.<ref name="Flylib"/><ref name="DesigningInteractions">{{cite book | author=Moggridge, Bill | date=October 1, 2007 | title=Designing Interactions | chapter=Will Wright |  chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/designinginterac00mogg/page/367/mode/1up | page=367 | publisher=[[MIT Press]] | isbn=978-0-26-213474-3}}</ref> He was particularly interested in Wilson's explorations of [[emergence]] whereby individual ants performing basic tasks can collectively accomplish very complex goals.<ref name="DesigningInteractions"/><ref name="Psychology">{{cite web | author=Thompson, Clive | date=November 1, 2003 | title=''The Sims'': Suburban Rhapsody | url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/articles/200311/the-sims-suburban-rhapsody | archive-url=https://archive.today/20240630112319/https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/articles/200311/the-sims-suburban-rhapsody | archive-date=June 30, 2024 | website=[[Psychology Today]] | publisher=Sussex Publishers | accessdate=June 30, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Discover">{{cite web | author=Burdick, Alan | date=August 1, 2006 | title=''Discover'' Interview: Will Wright | url=https://www.discovermagazine.com/technology/discover-interview-will-wright | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119031802/https://www.discovermagazine.com/technology/discover-interview-will-wright | archive-date=January 19, 2024  | website=[[Discover (magazine)|Discover]] | publisher=[[Kalmbach Media]] | accessdate=June 30, 2024}}</ref>

Using Wilson's scientific data, Wright said the game was designed with layers of complexity based on how ants function in the real world, making it a form of "self-directed learning."<ref name="Newsweek">{{cite web | author=Ernsberger Jr, Richard | date=January 19, 1992 | title=War of the Electronic Ants | url=https://www.newsweek.com/war-electronic-ants-197690 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630114911/https://www.newsweek.com/war-electronic-ants-197690 | archive-date=June 30, 2024 | website=[[Newsweek]] | accessdate=June 30, 2024}}</ref> Wright and McCormick attempted to contact Wilson during development to see if he would like to assist directly on the game. Their letter allegedly arrived at the same time Wilson received a [[Pulitzer Prize]] notice for ''The Ants''.<ref name="WashingtonPost1"/> Wilson commented that the game "captured the subtleties of life in an ant colony" and that he was charmed enough by its "sophistication and precision" that he would recommend it to entomology students.<ref name="BuildingSimCity"/><ref name="Crimson">{{cite web | author=Murray, Laura A. | date=February 29, 1992 | title=E.O. Wilson Inspires ''SimAnt'' | url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1992/2/29/eo-wilson-inspires-simant-pfor-students/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630115816/https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1992/2/29/eo-wilson-inspires-simant-pfor-students/ | archive-date=June 30, 2024 | website=[[The Harvard Crimson]] | publisher=[[Harvard University]] | accessdate=June 30, 2024}}</ref> After completing a year's worth of the work on the game, Wright lost his home in October 1991 during the [[Oakland firestorm of 1991|Oakland firestorm]]. He had moved the game's [[source code]] from his house to his office just two weeks prior.<ref name="Berkeleyside">{{cite web | author=Taylor, Tracey | date=October 17, 2011 | title=Will Wright: Inspired to make ''The Sims'' after losing a home | url=https://www.berkeleyside.org/2011/10/17/will-wright-inspired-to-make-the-sims-after-iosing-a-home | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318213831/https://www.berkeleyside.org/2011/10/17/will-wright-inspired-to-make-the-sims-after-iosing-a-home | archive-date=March 18, 2024 | website=[[Berkeleyside]] | publisher=Cityside | accessdate=June 30, 2024}}</ref>

==Release==
Maxis partnered with [[Broderbund]]<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Worley, Joyce | date=February 1992 | title=Bits: Broderbund Plans Public Offering; Extends Maxis' Agreement | url=https://archive.org/details/vgce_92-02/page/n21/mode/1up | magazine=[[VideoGames & Computer Entertainment]] | publisher=[[Larry Flynt Publications]] | issue=37 | page=22 | issn=1059-2938}}</ref> to first release ''SimAnt'' in North America in November 1991.<ref name="Crimson"/> Versions were available for [[Mac (computer)|Macintosh]], [[DOS]],  [[Windows 3.0|Windows 3.x]], and [[Amiga]].<ref>{{cite magazine | author=''CGR'' staff | date=August 1991 | title=CGR Previews: ''SimAnt'' by Maxis | url=https://archive.org/details/computer-game-review-and-16-bit-entertainment-august-1991/page/32/mode/1up | magazine=Computer Game Review | publisher=Sendai Publishing | issue=1 | page=32 | issn=1060-4693}}</ref> The Macintosh version could be played in monochrome or color.<ref>{{cite web | author=Shannon, L. R. | date=November 19, 1991 | title=Perpherals: A Chance to Be a Coach for a Day | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/19/science/peripherals-a-chance-to-be-coach-for-a-day.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240704103935/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/19/science/peripherals-a-chance-to-be-coach-for-a-day.html | archive-date=July 4, 2024 | website=[[The New York Times]] | accessdate=July 4, 2024}}</ref> Similarly, the Amiga conversion included both low and high [[image resolution|resolution]] graphical settings.<ref name="InfoMagazine">{{cite magazine | author=Malcom, Tom | date=April 1992 | title=Cyberplay: ''SimAnt'' | url=https://archive.org/details/info-magazine-49/Info_Issue_49_1992_Apr/page/n27/mode/1up | magazine=[[.info (magazine)|.info]] | publisher=.info Publications | issue=49 | page=28 | issn=0897-5868}}</ref> [[Ocean Software]] distributed the game in Europe in 1992.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=''The One'' staff | date=March 1992 | title=News: Ant Attack | url=https://archive.org/details/The_One_Issue_042/page/n13/mode/1up | magazine=[[The One (magazine)|The One]] | publisher=[[Ascential|EMAP]] | issue=42 | page=14 | issn=0955-4084}}</ref> In Japan, [[Imagineer (Japanese company)|Imagineer]] published ''SimAnt'' for Macintosh in November 1991. The company subsequently released conversions to [[FM Towns]], [[PC-98|PC-9801]], [[X68000]], and [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]] in February 1993.<ref>{{cite web | title=サポート対応が終了した製品 | trans-title=Products no longer supported | url=https://www.imagineer.co.jp/contact/over.php | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603185846/https://www.imagineer.co.jp/contact/over.php | archive-date=June 3, 2024 | publisher=[[Imagineer (Japanese company)|Imagineer]] | language=ja | accessdate=July 6, 2024}}</ref> This last port, developed by Tomcat System, contains eight gameplay scenarios alongside the full game; has unique graphics and music; and is compatible with the [[Super NES Mouse]].<ref name="NintendoPower">{{cite magazine | author=''Nintendo Power'' staff | date=November 1993 | title=''SimAnt: The Electronic Ant Colony'' | url=https://archive.org/details/Nintendo_Power_Issue001-Issue127/Nintendo%20Power%20Issue%20054%20November%201993/page/n25/mode/2up | magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] | publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]] | issue=54 | pages=26–9 | issn=1041-9551}}</ref> It was localized by Maxis for the North American [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] in November 1993.<ref name="VideoGames">{{cite magazine | author=Gore, Chris | date=November 1993 | title=SNES: ''SimAnt'' | url=https://archive.org/details/Video_Games_The_Ultimate_Gaming_Magazine_Issue_58_November_1993/page/n64/mode/1up | magazine=[[VideoGames & Computer Entertainment|VideoGames]] | publisher=[[Larry Flynt Publications]] | issue=58 | page=65 | issn=1059-2938}}</ref>

''SimAnt'' saw several re-releases on PC. An enhanced [[CD-ROM]] version from November 1993 featured [[Super VGA]] graphic, digital sound, 20 minutes of [[full-motion video]], and an avatar named SimAntha to entertain and guide the player.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=''PC Player'' staff | date=December 1993 | title=News: ''SimAnt'' Enhanced | url=https://archive.org/details/pc-player-uk-issue-01-1993/page/n12/mode/1up | magazine=[[PC Player (British magazine)|PC Player]] | publisher=[[Maverick Magazines]] | issue=1 | page=13 | issn=1351-0851}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | author=''PC Zone'' staff | date=January 1995 | title=Bulletin: ''SimAnt'' CD-ROM | url=https://archive.org/details/PC_Zone_22_January_1995/page/n17/mode/1up | magazine=[[PC Zone]] | publisher=[[Future plc]] | issue=22 | page=18 | issn=0967-8220}}</ref> The game was included on the ''SimClassics Volume 1'' compilation in September 1994 alongside ''SimCity'' and ''[[SimLife]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=''The One'' staff | date=September 1994 | title=News: Sim Again | url=https://archive.org/details/the-one-amiga-september-1994-optimized/page/n10/mode/1up | magazine=[[The One (magazine)|The One]] | publisher=[[Ascential|EMAP]] | issue=72 | page=11 | issn=0955-4084}}</ref> Finally, ''SimAnt'' was sold individually as part of the Maxis Collector's Series in 1996.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Triverio, Jennifer | date=July 1996 | title=Best Buys: These red tags raise no red flags | url=https://archive.org/details/home-pc-magazine-1996-07/page/51/mode/1up | magazine=Home PC | publisher=[[UBM Technology Group|CMP Media Inc.]] | volume=3 | issue=7 | page=51 | issn=1073-1784}}</ref>

==Reception==
The game was reviewed in 1992 in ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #178 by Patricia Hartley and Kirk Lesser in "The Role of Computers" column. The reviewers gave the game 5 out of 5 stars.<ref name="Dragon178">{{cite journal
|title=The Role of Computers
|last1=Lesser|last2=Lesser|last3=Lesser|first1=Hartley|first2=Patricia|first3=Kirk|name-list-style=amp
|journal=Dragon
|issue=178
|date=February 1992
|pages=57–64}}</ref> ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' stated that "players seeking a non-linear, unconventional and provocative strategy simulation will hit [[wikt:paydirt|paydirt]] with ''SimAnt''. The game is easy to get into, stimulating, fun, and increasingly challenging&nbsp;... students will love it".<ref name="eden199203">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1992&pub=2&id=92 |title=The Game Is Afoot |magazine=Computer Gaming World |date=March 1992 |access-date=24 November 2013 |last=Eden |first=Maxwell |pages=44, 46 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202231748/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1992&pub=2&id=92 |archive-date=2 December 2013 |issue=92}}</ref>

''[[GamePro]]'' named it "Educational Game of the Year", commenting that "''SimAnt'' is a delightful combination of simulation, strategy, and adventure."<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Editor's Choice Awards|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=65|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=February 1994|page=27}}</ref>

===Reviews===
*''[[Zero (video game magazine)|Zero]]'' (May, 1992)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/zero-magazine-30/page/n21/mode/2up|title = Zero Magazine Issue 30|date = April 1992}}</ref>
*''Power Play'' (Jan, 1992)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kultpower.de/powerplay_testbericht_extern.php3?im=simant.jpg|title=Kultpower.de - die Powerplay und ASM Fan Site|access-date=2022-03-22|archive-date=2022-03-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322141145/https://www.kultpower.de/powerplay_testbericht_extern.php3?im=simant.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref>
*''Power Play'' (1992)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=7595 |title=SimAnt |publisher=Kultboy.com |date= |accessdate=2022-05-29 |archive-date=2022-03-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322141145/https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=7595 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*''Amiga Joker'' (Mar, 1992)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://amr.abime.net/review_23357|title=Sim Ant review from Amiga Joker (Apr 1992) - Amiga Magazine Rack|website=amr.abime.net|access-date=2023-08-14|archive-date=2023-05-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529212241/https://amr.abime.net/review_23357|url-status=live}}</ref>
*''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' (Jan 13, 1995)<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/1995/01/13/simearth/ |title=Archived copy |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=2022-03-22 |archive-date=2011-05-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501024634/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20184081%2C00.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
*''Joker Verlag präsentiert: Sonderheft'' (1993)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://amr.abime.net/issue_2934_pages|title=Amiga Joker Amiga Joker Sonderheft Nr.5 - Strategie Page scans - Amiga Magazine Rack|access-date=2022-03-22|archive-date=2017-08-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813055507/http://amr.abime.net/issue_2934_pages|url-status=live}}</ref>
*''[[Amiga Computing]]'' (Aug, 1992)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://amr.abime.net/review_8170|title=Sim Ant review from Amiga Computing 51 (Aug 1992) - Amiga Magazine Rack|access-date=2022-03-22|archive-date=2022-03-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322141147/http://amr.abime.net/review_8170|url-status=live}}</ref>
*''[[Amiga Action]]'' (Jul, 1992)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://amr.abime.net/review_40857|title=Sim Ant review from Amiga Action 34 (Jul 1992) - Amiga Magazine Rack|website=amr.abime.net|access-date=2023-08-14|archive-date=2023-05-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529213104/https://amr.abime.net/review_40857|url-status=live}}</ref>
*''[[Amiga Format]]'' (Jul, 1992)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://amr.abime.net/review_2552|title=Sim Ant review from Amiga Format 36 (Jul 1992) - Amiga Magazine Rack|access-date=2022-03-22|archive-date=2022-03-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322141138/http://amr.abime.net/review_2552|url-status=live}}</ref>
*''[[Amiga Power]]'' (Jun, 1992)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://amr.abime.net/review_548|title=Sim Ant review from Amiga Power 14 (Jun 1992) - Amiga Magazine Rack|access-date=2022-03-22|archive-date=2022-03-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322141138/http://amr.abime.net/review_548|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Legacy==
Like its predecessor ''[[SimEarth]]'', ''SimAnt'' achieved only middling sales.<ref name="Carpenter">{{cite web | author=Carpenter, Lincoln | date=June 14, 2024 | title=Maxis had canceled ''The Sims'' in the '90s, but it was saved by an unlikely hero: Electronic Arts | url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/the-sims/maxis-had-canceled-the-sims-in-the-90s-but-it-was-saved-by-an-unlikely-hero-electronic-arts/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614215738/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/the-sims/maxis-had-canceled-the-sims-in-the-90s-but-it-was-saved-by-an-unlikely-hero-electronic-arts/ | archive-date=June 14, 2024 | website=[[PC Gamer]] | publisher=[[Future plc]] | accessdate=July 7, 2024}}</ref> It sold over 50,000 copies by February 1992.<ref name="Crimson"/> According to one game box, using a statistic from the Software Publisher's Association, more than 100,000 copies of the PC version had sold by April 10, 1992. Designer [[Will Wright (game designer)|Will Wright]] stated in 1994 that he considered the game his biggest disappointment up to that point in his career as he felt he failed to convey "how cool ants are."<ref name="PCGamer1">{{cite magazine | author=Buchanan, Lee | date=September 1995 | title=Sim Column: The King of Sims | url=https://archive.org/details/UneditedPCGamer_marktrade/PC_Gamer_016u/page/n146/mode/1up | magazine=[[PC Gamer]] | publisher=[[Future plc]] | issue=16 | page=145 | issn=1080-4471}}</ref> In a 1996 [[postmortem documentation|postmortem]], Wright considered ''SimAnt'' as effectively educational yet "too simple" and lacking the same level of creativity and personal [[Imprinting (psychology)|imprinting]] of the original
''[[SimCity (1989 video game)|SimCity]]''.<ref name="DonHopkins">{{cite web | author=Hopkins, Don | date=April 21, 2018 | title=Will Wright on Designing User Interfaces to Simulation Games (1996) (2023 Video Update) | url=https://donhopkins.medium.com/designing-user-interfaces-to-simulation-games-bd7a9d81e62d | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225042323/https://donhopkins.medium.com/designing-user-interfaces-to-simulation-games-bd7a9d81e62d | archive-date=February 25, 2024 | website=[[Medium (website)|Medium]] | accessdate=June 30, 2024}}</ref> Though not as popular with the targeted adult demographic, the lower complexity of ''SimAnt'' ultimately connected best with children, specifically boys aged ten to thirteen years of age.<ref name="BuildingSimCity"/><ref name="Flylib"/><ref name="PCGamer2">{{cite web | author=Smith, Graham | date=June 6, 2011 | title=Will Wright at BAFTA: the creator of ''The Sims'' on his influences and hints to his next game | url=https://www.pcgamer.com/will-wright-at-bafta-the-creator-of-the-sims-on-his-influences-and-hints-to-his-next-game/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301115649/https://www.pcgamer.com/will-wright-at-bafta-the-creator-of-the-sims-on-his-influences-and-hints-to-his-next-game/ | archive-date=March 1, 2024 | website=[[PC Gamer]] | publisher=[[Future plc]] | accessdate=June 30, 2024}}</ref> Misgauging a game's core audience was a lesson Wright learned from his experience with the game.<ref name="Eurogamer">{{cite web | author=Yin-Poole, Wesley | date=June 6, 2011 | title=The Will Wright Stuff | url=https://www.eurogamer.net/the-will-wright-stuff-interview | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521204251/https://www.eurogamer.net/the-will-wright-stuff-interview | archive-date=May 21, 2024 | website=[[Eurogamer]] | publisher=[[Gamer Network]] | accessdate=June 30, 2024}}</ref><ref name="GameSpot">{{cite web | author=Sinclair, Brendan | date=April 9, 2009 | title=Q&A: Will Wright on the rules of Stupid Fun Club | url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/qanda-will-wright-on-the-rules-of-stupid-fun-club/1100-6207620/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104175653/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/qanda-will-wright-on-the-rules-of-stupid-fun-club/1100-6207620/ | archive-date=November 4, 2023 | website=[[GameSpot]] | publisher=[[Fandom (website)|Fandom]] | accessdate=June 30, 2024}}</ref> He said in 2003 that he would like to remake ''SimAnt'' with a more immersive, [[First-person (video games)|first-person]] perspective if given the opportunity.<ref name="PlayStation">{{cite magazine | author=''OPM'' staff | date=December 2003 | title=Spin: Simtastic | url=https://archive.org/details/official-u.-s.-play-station-magazine-issue-75-december-2003/page/72/mode/1up | magazine=[[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine]] | publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] | issue=75 | page=72 | issn=1094-6683}}</ref> The designer claimed to continue studying books about ants years after the game's completion.<ref name="CNN">{{cite web | author=Chat Moderator | date=November 30, 2000 | title=Will Wright on creating ''The Sims'' and ''SimCity'' | url=http://www.cnn.com/chat/transcripts/2000/12/1/wright.chat/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520193656/http://www.cnn.com/chat/transcripts/2000/12/1/wright.chat/ | archive-date=May 20, 2020 | publisher=[[CNN]] | accessdate=June 30, 2024}}</ref>

Wright has stated that working on ''SimAnt'' helped inspire him to create the hugely successful [[social simulation game]] ''[[The Sims (video game)|The Sims]]'', first released by [[Maxis]] in 2000. The use of ant pheromone trails in the former game was used as a model to drive the wants and needs of the human-like behavior of the Sims in the latter.<ref name="AVClub"/><ref name="GameDeveloper"/><ref>{{cite web | author=Webb, Randy | date=November 8, 2010 | title=Will Wright explains what ''The Sims'' and an ant colony have in common | url=https://www.engadget.com/2010-11-08-will-wright-explains-what-the-sims-and-an-ant-colony-have-in-com.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417135732/https://www.engadget.com/2010-11-08-will-wright-explains-what-the-sims-and-an-ant-colony-have-in-com.html | archive-date=April 17, 2023 | website=[[Engadget]] | publisher=[[Yahoo! Inc. (2017–present) |Yahoo! Inc.]] | accessdate=June 29, 2024}}</ref>

The [[crowdfunding|crowdfunded]] [[real-time strategy game]] ''[[Empires of the Undergrowth]]'', released for [[early access]] on [[Steam (service)|Steam]] in 2024, is considered a [[spiritual successor]] to ''SimAnt''.<ref>{{cite web | author=O’Neill, Meghan | date=February 28, 2018 | title=Is ''Empires of the Undergrowth'' a worthy successor to ''SimAnt''? | url=https://www.pcgamer.com/is-empires-of-the-undergrowth-a-worthy-successor-to-simant/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240629130712/https://www.pcgamer.com/is-empires-of-the-undergrowth-a-worthy-successor-to-simant/ | archive-date=June 29, 2024 | website=[[PC Gamer]] | publisher=[[Future plc]] | accessdate=June 30, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=Evans-Thirlwell, Edwin | date=May 8, 2024 | title=Insect RTS ''Empires Of The Undergrowth'' leaves early access in June, adding savannahs, termites and stink ants | url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/insect-rts-empires-of-the-undergrowth-leaves-early-access-in-june-adding-savannahs-termites-and-stink-ants | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521172457/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/insect-rts-empires-of-the-undergrowth-leaves-early-access-in-june-adding-savannahs-termites-and-stink-ants | archive-date=May 21, 2024 | website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] | publisher=[[Gamer Network]] | accessdate=June 29, 2024}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Ant-keeping]]
* [[Formicarium]]
* [[Ant colony optimization algorithms]]

==References==
===Notes===
{{notelist}}

===Footnotes===
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{moby game|id=/simant|name=''SimAnt''}}
*[https://archive.org/details/msdos_SimAnt_-_The_Electronic_Ant_Colony_1991 SimAnt] at the [[Internet Archive]]

{{Sim series|sim-misc=yes}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:SimAnt}}
[[Category:1991 video games]]
[[Category:Amiga games]]
[[Category:Biological simulation video games]]
[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:FM Towns games]]
[[Category:Imagineer games]]
[[Category:Classic Mac OS games]]
[[Category:Maxis Sim games]]
[[Category:NEC PC-9801 games]]
[[Category:X68000 games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Video games about ants]]