The Germans and their strange PC game preferences - could have been the headline, too, if you take a closer look at the internal sales statistics of the German PC game market. PC Games Hardware received confidential numbers, according to which "Adult Games” like Dead space or X3: Terran Conflict stand no chance against simulations of coach driving, agriculture or Euro Trucks in regards of sold copies. But what is the reason?

To be honest: A simple explanation doesn't seem to be available. First publisher Electronic Arts needed several attempts to receive an 18+ rating for Dead Space in Germany and then the number of sold copies doesn't even reach five digits. In contrast to that simulations like the mentioned bus or agriculture simulators from the sim specialists Astragon easily reach 10,000 copies on the retail market. Currently the Landwirtschafts-Simulator 2008 even beats Fallout 3, C&C Red Alert 3 or Stalker: Clear Sky.

A possible explanation for this phenomenon is that the market for such simulation is bigger than the special interests market. And the Germans are furthermore known for their interest in simulation games. Another reason could be that the simulations are noticeably cheaper than normal full price games. Possibly there are less illegal copies, too, since those games aren't as well known as the popular "Adult Games”.

What do you think about the success of programs like the bus simulator? Did you possibly play such a simulation yourself already? Use the comments to tell us your opinion.