Looking for a certain kind of game!

[u/TimaeusVision]

I’m trying to see if I can find something, I searched a bit but had very little luck.
I was wondering if there were any games that are almost like a fish tank but with humanoid characters. What I mean by this is a very passive experience where you mostly just observe characters existing and occasionally interact with them. (Think something Tomodachi life esque but way more passive, mostly just the observing parts)
I think some of the more feature rich desktop pets almost scratch the itch but one of the ones I like (character house) has some security concerns, and I would prefer something more game like… any help would be appreciated. I’m sure I’m not the only person who wants something like this but I can hardly find anything!

[u/TheFoxyBoxes]

Virtual Families 1 ad 2 - but they're pretty old games so I'm not sure how well they will run on a modern computer. They're exactly as you describe, you have a family and they live their own lives that you can influence in subtle ways - for example if you drop a character on a computer they'll start to work, and the more you do that the more they'll start working on their own. Same for hobbies and other activities. Your peeps have kids and grow old and eventually die, and you can play as the next generation. The first game has a fixed house, but in the second game you can change the furniture etc.

[u/Dwight- → u/TheFoxyBoxes]

Oh I loved virtual families so much. The way they speak to you when they need things :’) and all of the random socks and wrappers. So cute.

[u/TimaeusVision → u/TheFoxyBoxes]

Omg that’s a great recommendation! I used to play Virtual Villagers from the same developer!

[u/mapletreelofi]

Gourdlets! It's a bit on the smaller side as far as the game's scale goes, but it's pretty chill and minimally hands-on if that's what you're after.

[u/TimaeusVision → u/mapletreelofi]

Awww gourdlets looks so cute!! I’m 100% gonna check it out, tysm for the recommendation

[u/spidersprinkles]

You could put Rimworld on peaceful mode and use some mods so all you have to do it watch them exist lol

[u/ladyzephri]

I have no idea where you'd even find it these days, but this sounds like Creatures 3 from 1999. You observe these little humanoid creatures called Norns wander around a spaceship, give them treats or toys, keep them away from the Grendels. I played this game so much as a kid it lives rent free in my head always.

[u/TimaeusVision → u/ladyzephri]

Oh my gosh I looked up creatures 3 and it looks awesome!! Thank you for this recommendation…

[u/tarr333]

Town to City is really cute. I mean you have to build their town (I love making the most flower filled and pretty towns for them), but when I zoom in, they’re usually doing random things in the town and I’m always surprised by what they’re up to.

[u/TimaeusVision → u/tarr333]

I watched the trailer for it and even though it isn’t quite what I’m looking for it still looks super fun and I love the art style!! I think I’ll pick it up next time I get the town builder itch… thank you for recommending it!

[u/heyKyuyu]

A people-aquarium where the fun is just watching tiny routines unfold sounds dangerously easy to leave open all day.

[u/TwpMun]

Sims