SimCity

It's fascinating how games like SimCity can evoke such nostalgia and appreciation for the pioneering spirit of early video game design. What you're describing is more than just a game; it's a digital time capsule that reminds us of the days when personal computing was a marvel, and the magic of playing a game meant taking on roles and responsibilities that were otherwise unimaginable.

SimCity, created by Will Wright and originally released in 1989, wasn't just a game; it was an invitation to imagine, to create, and to learn. It presented players with a sandbox in which they could simulate the growth and management of a city — a concept that was groundbreaking at the time. The game is a prime example of how video games can be more than entertainment; they can be tools for education, creativity, and imagination.

Playing SimCity in a web browser today is a testament to the game's lasting impact. Despite the advancements in graphics and gameplay mechanics, the core enjoyment derived from meticulously planning and watching over your cityscape remains untarnished. It's a reminder that sometimes, the simplest concepts have the most enduring appeal.

Your point about "the gaze of the discoverer" is particularly poignant. In an age where digital wonders are commonplace, and technology advances rapidly, it's easy to become desensitized to the sense of wonder that once accompanied each new leap forward. Playing classic games like SimCity can indeed help us recapture some of that original amazement — the feeling of encountering something wholly new and exploring it for the first time.

In a sense, these games allow us to time travel, to experience the "future" as it was envisioned in the past, and to appreciate the roots of many modern gaming genres that we might otherwise take for granted. They remind us that innovation is not just about what's next but also about where we've been and how far we've come.