> I’m trying to make the most realistic city simulator I can, using published papers on economy models, welfare, immigration, social policies… to drive each aspect of the simulation - and then use it to drive the game
Sounds like you're building a simulation, not a game :) Games usually aren't so realistic as to be based on a ton of academic models, and gets "not so fun" when you try to make things too realistic. Maybe it'll be different in your game, maybe it'll be fun! Just worth watching out for the typical "if I just make it hyper-realistic it'll be hyper-fun" trap that myself and others have fallen into many times, including when building our own city simulations :) Again, don't wanna discourage, go for it! Worst case scenario you've learnt something new!
Sounds like you're building a simulation, not a game :) Games usually aren't so realistic as to be based on a ton of academic models, and gets "not so fun" when you try to make things too realistic. Maybe it'll be different in your game, maybe it'll be fun! Just worth watching out for the typical "if I just make it hyper-realistic it'll be hyper-fun" trap that myself and others have fallen into many times, including when building our own city simulations :) Again, don't wanna discourage, go for it! Worst case scenario you've learnt something new!