Web-based games such as ''[[NationStates]]'' and [[Reddit]]'s ModelUSGov allow players to manage the day-to-day decisions of individual governments, and compete against rival nations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jayisgames.com/review/nation-states.php|title=NationStates - Walkthrough, Tips, Review|website=Jay is games|access-date=2019-01-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=97793&page=1|title=A Web Site of Virtual Nations|date=2006-01-07|website=ABC News|language=en|access-date=2019-01-12}}</ref> Less formally structured games are also played out in [[internet forum]]s, where players manage governments and nations according to a set of agreed rules. These such forum-based simulation games - often known as "Polsims" - simulate the politics of one specific nation throughout rounds set in differing time periods. Not all "Polsims" take place on a national level. Some Polsims take place internationally, whereas others take place on the state or local levels. Players on such games play as fictional politicians and participate in debates, media activity, and simulated elections. Realism is highly stressed with key topics of the day often debated on and spun by the players and admins (who are able to shape the game world in any way that they choose).{{Citation needed|date=January 2019}}
In other web based games players register, apply for an open position (either a country or person inside a country such as a politician or army general) and carry out game activities either through newspapers or other activities or (more commonly) through [[gamemaster]]s. Realism and cooperation tend to be highly promoted in such games.{{Citation needed|date=January 2019}}
