Born and raised in Romania, The Sim Simma’s early life was shaped by creativity and imagination. Despite growing up with limited access to entertainment and material possessions, his inventive spirit flourished. Painting and drawing became his window to the world, a way to transport himself to amazing places, imagining and creating what reality could not offer.
"My childhood wasn’t very different from that of any other child. I always did my best to have fun, to play, to invent, and to build things! Since we didn’t have a TV while I was growing up, I spent a lot of time painting and drawing. It was my way of imagining and transporting myself to different places. I loved cars and trucks as a kid, and sometimes just drawing them made me feel like I actually owned one."
Later in life, he moved to the United States, where his perspective expanded as he discovered video games. “Every time I played a video game, I felt like I was being transported somewhere else. It wasn’t necessarily the gameplay or objectives that captivated me, it was the feeling of being in a completely different place,” he shares. "I was never drawn to action or first-person shooter games. Instead, I was fascinated by simulations, anything that let me do things I couldn’t do in real life, like driving fast or flying a plane. For me, those were incredible opportunities to explore and imagine."
Art remained a central theme in The Sim Simma’s life, eventually leading him to a career in automotive design and a decade spent teaching industrial design. "This lifelong passion led me to pursue a career in automotive design. I also spent 10 years teaching industrial design at a university, where I helped students learn how to draw and bring cars and products to life from their imagination. For me, art was more than just expression, it was a tool for communicating ideas clearly and effectively."
"Like any hobby that truly draws you in, my focus has been on enhancing the realism of the simulation experience. Whether through software or hardware, everything I do is aimed at adding more real-life immersion to the simulation. It’s true that this kind of game can be equally enjoyed by a beginner with a basic setup or a dedicated enthusiast who has invested thousands of dollars. But if it’s something you're truly passionate about, it feels only natural to pursue the best and most immersive version of the experience."
From this passion, he also started DSS Sim Racing Innovations, a venture born from his desire to enhance his own immersion. “I build gear for my sim rig that enhances my experience. If I enjoy it, I build more of them to list on my website so others can enjoy it too. The fact that it grew into a successful business was never the goal, just a rewarding outcome of doing what I love.”
DSS Sim Racing Innovations creates custom displays and dashboards designed for simmers who demand the best. One of the projects The Sim Simma is most proud of is his Triple Screen Dash, a key piece in many sim rigs within the community. "While I’m not the inventor of the round digital display, I was the first to market with a solution that brought true immersion to a wider audience. Knowing that something I created brings joy and realism to so many users is incredibly rewarding."
"One of my popular products is the Shift Plate, which serves a dual purpose: it blocks off unused shift gates and clearly marks gear positions. This helps new drivers learn how to split gears more accurately. I offer Shift Plates tailored to replicate the most common trucking transmission patterns, making them ideal for serious sim truckers. Another successful product is the HornPad, a simple yet immersive add-on that mounts to any standard 70mm wheel rim. Many sim racers upgrade to real-world truck steering wheels for authenticity, but these often lack a proper center cap. The HornPad completes the look with a modern truck-style 'faux airbag' design, complete with stitching for realism."
For new users checking out The Sim Simma's content or live streams, one standout feature is his incredibly detailed simulation rig. "It all begins with a powerhouse PC, featuring an RTX 4090 GPU and the latest Intel CPU, built to experience every game exactly as intended. I switch between a MOZA and Fanatec direct drive system depending on the mood, full-on racing or a laid-back trucking session. The experience is elevated by a motion simulator from E-Motion Labs and a range of modern accessories to maximize immersion. When off-the-shelf solutions fall short, I create my own, from custom triple-screen gauge clusters to detailed shifter plates that match the exact pattern of the vehicle I’m driving. If it enhances realism, I build it."
The inspiration to create such an elaborate simulation rig came from the game itself, Simma tells us. "Modern sims offer incredible immersion, but no matter how realistic, they remain trapped behind the screen. That’s where the journey begins. By creating custom accessories, I bring that virtual world into my physical space, blurring the lines between digital and reality."
"Through my streams, I've met so many like-minded people, many of whom have become friends. When they return to the streams or videos, it reinforces that we’re all having fun together. The best part is when they end up joining us in convoys regularly. That’s where the real fun happens, and that’s where lasting memories are truly made."
One of the most memorable moments was when his dog, Uno, who usually appears in pre-recorded segments, unexpectedly joined an SCS Software live stream. It was a delightful surprise, reminding him that the community’s support and shared enjoyment make the experience special.
“I always remind my viewers that it’s not about likes or subscriptions, it’s about having fun together. That’s what makes it worth doing.” Through his streams, The Sim Simma has met amazing people, many of whom have become friends, joining convoys and sharing unforgettable experiences. He has also been inspired by others.
"There are a few familiar faces we all follow or aspire to match in terms of simulation quality, but Armstrong Gaming has been a staple in my YouTube journey for years. I suspect he may have influenced just how deep I’ve dived into this hobby. Another creator I truly appreciate is Silent Scotty, known for his amazing attitude and chill vibe. Watching guys like this feels like hanging out with friends, and that’s what makes the experience so special."
Looking ahead, The Sim Simma’s goal is simple, to keep enjoying the hobby, share his passion with others, and inspire fellow sim enthusiasts to dive deeper into the immersive world of simulation. He leaves us with these words of wisdom: "You hear this all the time, so it must be true: FOCUS ON HAVING FUN, JUST BE YOURSELF!"
We’re grateful to The Sim Simma for sharing his story with us and being an inspiration in our #BestCommunityEver. Be sure to check out his content on YouTube, and stay tuned for more Community Stories coming soon! Until next time, keep on truckin'.
