When "casual" gamers hear the words "text-sim" their thoughts immediately search for an understanding of the text-sim sports gaming genre. Most of the time, their research leads them astray. The interesting aspects of a text-simulation are left undiscovered as the "casual" gamer overlooks the genres depth concentrating only on its lack of graphical representation.

But today, the world of text-simulations is changing thanks to a renewed focus on bringing its strengths to the high-end graphical world of gaming. Most notable in this effort is EA Sports' title NFL Head Coach 09. The game focuses on allowing the gamer to take on the role of being the head coach and GM of an NFL franchise. Instead of making the quick decision to juke out of the way of a would-be tackler, you'll be making quick decisions from the sidelines and owner's box.

Taking this one step further, developers seem to be hinting at the possibility of incorporating text-simulations within their current franchises. EA has already confirmed that gamers will be able to transfer plays created in Head Coach to their Madden franchises. Ben Brinkman, producer of 2K Sports' MLB 2K franchise, has even talked about possibly hiring a third party to develop the simulation engine for a future version of MLB 2K.

There would be obvious benefits if Brinkman and Co. did end up going that route. By allowing a third party to concentrate on the simulation aspects of the game, the 2K team could concentrate more time and effort on the gameplay and extra little nuances that could potentially push their product over the top.

The biggest draw, if the two worlds combine, is that it forever changes the landscape of sports gaming -- for the good. Since 1992, PC gamers have helped make the soccer text-simulation Championship Manager, now known as Football Manager, the top selling text-sim of all-time. The success of the soccer titles contributed to the growth of Out of the Park Baseball and Baseball Mogul, two of the highest selling baseball text-simulation franchises today, and Front Office Football, the most successful American Football text-sim. Avid gamers have known for over two decades the strengths of their text-sim engines: the seemingly endless team control and the depth of stat-accumulation and accuracy.

"Hardcore" gamers will welcome the additional team control. In baseball text-sims you are responsible for monitoring multiple levels of your minor league organization, protecting future stars in the Rule V Draft, and scouting the talent needed to be successful over an unlimited number of years. American Football text-sims will keep you busy handling complicated negotiations, scouting players from college to the combine, and restructuring contracts to keep your team below the cap while maintaining a high level of performance.

Statistical accuracy as a result of intelligently designed simulation engines are the cornerstone of text-sims. Imagine knowing that players will no longer finish with ridiculously high batting averages or an overabundance of RBI; or that your favorite running back on a CPU-squad won't rush for less than 1,000 yards despite being healthy and having a stacked offensive line. The addition of text-simulation engines would be the next great leap in making console titles more realistic.

Developers can avoid losing "casual" gamers by offering an number of options. By allowing the CPU to control these more in-depth additions the less hardcore wouldn't need to worry that their favorite game will play differently or require a deep understanding of the sport. Everything these improved engines will provide can happen in the background of played games or be seen in the results of CPU games simulated during a franchise/season. Therefore "hardcore" gamers get more realistic stats, and "casual" gamers don't have to deal with any of the fuss.

So here's to hoping that text-simulations, the secret love of "hardcore" gamers across the world, become the foundation of everyone's favorite sports titles.