Part of the impetus for that is also the existence of Dwarf Fortress, showing how deep a simulation like this can go. While nobody else goes to the depth DF doe

Part of the impetus for that is also the existence of Dwarf Fortress, showing how deep a simulation like this can go. While nobody else goes to the depth DF does, it is a rich source for game mechanics that can form the basis of other game ideas. Planetbase is a good example in this style, of a simcity-like experience with much simplified, DF-style inhabitants.