The term refers to a modified application, commonly associated with mobile gaming or simulation, that introduces elements of resource management, survival, or conflict within an urban environment. These applications often feature scenarios where users must contend with simulated challenges related to disease, scarcity, or societal breakdown. In essence, it represents a digital experience where the user navigates a virtual city undergoing a period of crisis or transformation.
The appeal of such applications resides in their capacity to provide engaging and challenging scenarios. They can offer a simulated environment for exploring strategies related to urban planning, resource allocation, and crisis management. From a historical perspective, similar thematic elements have been prevalent in various forms of media, reflecting societal anxieties and providing opportunities for vicarious experiences related to complex issues.