Microcosm Industries – Simulation toys and software microcosms
I’ve been obsessed with simulation toys (software that allows you to play with a complex miniature world) ever since I was young and playing with SimCity and cellular automata. This kind of software exists at the delightful and weird intersection of simulation, complexity science, education, and gaming. And I want more of it! I created Microcosm Industries to initially act as a clearinghouse for simulation toys that are being built, ones that allow the user to playfully grapple with complex systems in all their interdisciplinary strangeness. But I’m also hoping that Microcosm Industries can…
In plain words
Microcosm Industries is a clearinghouse for simulation toys—software that lets players interact with complex miniature worlds inspired by games like SimCity and cellular automata. The platform curates existing simulation toys across disciplines including education, gaming, and complexity science, allowing users to playfully explore interconnected systems. It aims to serve as a hub for creators building this type of software and as a gathering point for the simulation toy community.
written from the facts on this page · September 2026
From the sources
In the maker’s words, at launch
I’ve been obsessed with simulation toys (software that allows you to play with a complex miniature world) ever since I was young and playing with SimCity and cellular automata. This kind of software exists at the delightful and weird intersection of simulation, complexity science, education, and gaming. And I want more of it! I created Microcosm Industries to initially act as a clearinghouse for simulation toys that are being built, ones that allow the user to playfully grapple with complex systems in all their interdisciplinary strangeness. But I’m also hoping that Microcosm Industries can be more: acting as a way to spur people to make more of these, or even serving as a Schelling Point for this somewhat fractured simulation toy world. Because this type of software shouldn’t just be thought of as being from the heyday of Maxis—maker of SimCity and many other games—decades ago. In truth, this kind of software is easier to build than ever, due to processing advances and AI-enhanced coding. We might be entering a new golden age for the simulation toy. Here’s a bit more about the thinking behind Microcosm Industries: https://microcosm.industries/about/ And please let me know of other examples I should add to the Microcosm Industries list, or fellow travelers I should be speaking with.
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