In the mid-1980s, as game designer Will Wright embarked on his career, he discovered the joy of building game levels. He envisioned a game where players could construct their own digital city, leading him to create SimCity in 1989 after being turned down by traditional publishers. Drawing inspiration from urban planning models by engineer Jay Forrester, SimCity became a groundbreaking success, offering players a unique perspective on city functions and governance. Forrester's models, however, led to real-world policy failures when implemented by Nixon administration policymakers and small cities. Embraced for their libertarian leanings, the models advocated for free-market policies, with varied results. Despite the playful design of SimCity, it was often taken seriously as a scientific tool, leading to applications in politics, business, and education. SimCity's impact highlights the potential for simulations to shape policy decisions and public discourse, challenging traditional modes of civic debate.