If you like deep, complex games :

http://www.matrixgames.com/products/515/details/Distant.Worlds.-.Universe

DRM is a simple Serial Number (no Server checks or online authentication needed).
Order it from their site and get a free Steam key as well.

Site Forums :

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tt.asp?forumid=782

Steam Forums :

http://steamcommunity.com/app/261470/discussions/


How can a game as complex as this be a "passive game" ?

Well, you can automate everything, and just sit back and watch, go off and watch a Movie, or whatever - however you decide to set up the automation for the most part will carry out your desires and run your Empire.

If you decide to jump in and take control of something for a second, no problem, you're covered.

I like adventure/point-click games for this kind of relaxed play. So far, I've played Long Live the Queen, Papers, Please, Raven Legacy of a Master Thief, Face Noir (very little), and Cognition Erica Reed Thriller (almost finished).

Others I suggest are racing, fighting, or simple puzzle (kami, zen bound, critical mass) games.

Some simulators are nice for passive gaming, Trainz for instance, just apply throttle (or whatever) and enjoy the scenery.
Also certain flightsimulators are great, Enemy Engaged for instance can be completely flown on autopilot and meanwhile you can use the cinematic view to watch the battle unfold.

Good question, I agree that sometimes I enjoy games that have "something more" besides winning. For instance I love simulation/puzzle games with strong musical and visual assets (Chime, Geometry wars ...) and while the scoring system is clever, I often play just for the music and/or visual. It's a shame Chime has so little tracks.

The deadlock games, on top of being TBS, have this planification aspect : during the fights where you don't give real time orders (just pre-set tactics) and in the economic development where you have to think through your expansion beforehand.

2014. The year pc gamers became too lazy to operate their mouse and keyboard.

Hey, could you like play my game for me? I'm just gonna... just gonna sit back and eat some doritos and like... watch you play and stuff. *derp*

Not a GOG game but you might try the original Zoo Tycoon. It takes some activity to set up exhibits, but once you do that you can sit back and watch the zoo do it's thing. There is also a Dinosaur expansion. It's pretty hilarious if you let the dinosaurs out once in a while... though your zoo rating tends to take a hit when you do :)

Minecraft - or it would be without those pesky creepers!

CREATIVE MODE - ON

I think the relaxing part of it, for me, was that I could play it on my laptop, lying in bed. Also, the simple point-click interface made it easier to manage as opposed to other games.

Time ticking isn't that stressful, I think, because you have the same kind of time pressure in many real-time strategies, so this didn't feel that different.

The most stressful thing about the game is understanding information within a time limit, and that's something you can do well after you get over the learning curve.

But I agree that this game is relatively stressful as opposed to other point-clicks.

I agree that once you've developed some workflow, it gets easier. Since the game is focused around time pressure and dire consequences if you do not make enough money, I would hardly call this a contender for passive gaming though. But I can see the relaxing part of playing in bed. That sounds swell :)

The Sims seems to be -- in my experience -- a game where you either like the idea of directing little pixel people, or those that find it fun. Needless to say, I'm in the latter group with TS2 as one of my favourite.

With as many mods as I have, I can theoretically sit back and watch my sims go about their daily routines with some prepatory work beforehand. But then, I've also go a huge long list of rules and regulations which means that paradoxically TS2 is less passive than it is for other people.

For me, while it does require continual interaction, Euro Truck Simulator 2 has fast become my destress game of choice. When I initially bought it my husband thought it would sit in my library and not be played at all, but I proved him wrong.

Have a look at Frozen Synapse - it's all about contemplation. It would be a fast-paced group tactical game, except that the concept is that you are an advanced computer program who can "think" so quickly that time is essentially frozen for you. You can give all your units a sequence of instructions and simulate how it will play out. You can also give assign actions to enemy units in the same manner, so you can test out how your game plan works out if the enemy does this, or if they do that, and so on. When you're happy you can resume the game for a few seconds to see how your tactics really worked out. It's great multiplayer - it's basically turn-based combat except that everyone plays their turn at the same time.

PEGGLE NIGHTS gameplay consist of shooting a marble. Then you watch as it jumps around on the playfield. Then you shoot another marble. Surprisingly, the gameplay works. I wish there were more games that were designed to let the player perform his action, then letting him watch the results.

Another one is PROGRESS QUEST (and I now realize that I'm the third to mention this...)

But I think computer-vs-computer battle in THE UR-QUAN MASTERS Super melee fits the bill. You can design various tams and see them fight each other:
http://sc2.sourceforge.net/