one dataset · paper, tables, graph, wiki
simgrammar the grammar of simulation

parts

6 mechanics, as Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 does them

core · 2

economy & finance

Contracts and orders

An endless supply of generated customer orders plus story missions with their own requirements provide income.

operation & procedure

Diagnose and repair

Orders list symptoms; the player examines engine, suspension, and chassis, removes covering parts in a realistic order to reach damaged ones, replaces or repairs them, and verifies the fix, across over 4000 parts on 72 cars.

supporting · 4

agents & behavior

Agent skills

Experience feeds a skills and garage-upgrade system.

economy & finance

Auctions

Car auctions and salvage auctions supply restoration projects for resale.

control & automation

Direct avatar control

physics & materials

Vehicle dynamics

Repaired and tuned cars can be driven, including time trials on a race track.

core loop

accept a generated customer order -> inspect and test the car -> remove parts in order to reach faulty ones -> buy or repair replacements -> reassemble and test drive -> get paid -> upgrade the garage and restore cars for sale

design notes

The car is a tree of modeled parts (over 4000 across 72 cars) with a removal order, so labor is spent reaching a faulty component before replacing it, the series loop carried over from Car Mechanic Simulator 2018. Customer orders are generated without end, while story missions, car and salvage auctions, barn finds, and a project-car restoration supply variety. A skills and garage-upgrade system gates faster or more capable work.

appears in

the paper, 2 sections · 1 chapter
paper

5. The structure of the design space

linked in this section of the paper

paper
paper

Appendix A. Game catalog

linked in this section of the paper

paper
catalog

The catalog

listed with its year, developer, subgenre, and number of mechanics

book
ch 6

Chapter 6. Five ceilings

linked from the text

book

sources

3
(2026). Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 on Xbox. Microsoft Store
Wikipedia contributors (2026). Car Mechanic Simulator 2018. Wikipedia

provenance

runs in log/runs
2026-10-24
created2026-10-24-catalog-gfcatalog