“Walking simulator” began as a derogatory label, and is still controversial among game creators: while some have reclaimed it as a useful category, to others it seems reductive or laden with too many negative associations.
Walking simulators challenge the traditional view that games were designed only for players to win. The game’s purpose shifts from “Achieve a certain number of kills” or “Capture a certain number of enemy bases” to “Explore the house” or “Check your surroundings.” Players learn how to interpret and examine their environments.