Should Simulation Games Use Numbers, Visual Feedback, or Both?

[arianrakibul]

Numbers can communicate precise information, but they don't always make progression feel emotionally meaningful.

Visual feedback can make changes easier to notice, although players may still need numerical values to understand the underlying system.

For simulation games, combining both approaches could help different types of players.

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For developers designing simulation interfaces, how do you decide when to use numerical values and when to rely on visual indicators?

Would you make detailed statistics optional or keep them visible throughout gameplay?

I'd love to hear what has worked in your own projects.