A notable hybrid between simulation and development was the "Longhorn Reloaded" project. While not a simulator, it involved taking the leaked source code and attempting to fix the bugs to make it usable. This highlights the spectrum of preservation: on one end is fixing the actual code (Reloaded), and on the other is building a façade (Simulators). Most modern users prefer simulators because they offer the visual satisfaction without requiring ancient hardware drivers.

To understand the simulator, one must understand the key features developers attempt to replicate.