Dad simulator

David, 38, lives in San Diego with his wife and two middle-school kids. On Sunday night, his son says a working volcano model is due at school tomorrow. David adds "find cardboard and glue" to his to-do list and talks his son through the project.

Later in the week, David uses place search to plan a Saturday family outing to Balboa Park. They walk to the San Diego Zoo together and talk as a group. His kids remember the trip and bring it up in text messages the next week.

In Copenhagen, many families use cargo bikes on safe cycling lanes for daily school drop-offs. In LifeSim, you start your weekday routine by waking the kids and packing lunches. You talk to your boss by text to ask for time off for a school play.

When the weekend comes, you invite your partner, kids, and parent friends to an outing. You pick Tivoli Gardens or the Experimentarium science center on the map and walk there together. Each day ends with a recap of your family moments.

You play one day at a time on a 3D map of Earth. Your children, partner, and neighbors have their own routines, goals, and memories. If you promise to help with homework or fix a broken toy, your kids remember what you said.

Life happens in open conversations and on the city streets, because buildings show from the outside only. You can meet teachers outside the school, chat with neighbors, or go to a pickup game in a park. As days pass, you and your children age through life stages.

LifeSim has no pregnancy or baby mechanics, so you write your kids directly into your character box. Describe your name, age, job, city, and the ages of your children. Once the life starts, open the cast menu to edit your kids, spouse, boss, or a local babysitter.

Use your life goals for big plans, like helping your oldest teen prepare to move out for university. Put daily errands on your to-do list, such as grocery shopping or teaching your teen to do laundry. Check your calendar and group texts to keep up with birthday drinks and family outings.