Skywise writes:

Actually, the flight sims do have ATC. X-Plane allows me to
file flight plans using anything but SIDs and STARs.

That's nothing compared to VATSIM. Use VATSIM, and you'll have procedures that
are the same as real life, including SIDs and STARs (and voice communication).

BTW, X-Plane is less 'game' and more simulator. It's written
by pilots and aeronautical engineers. The program can be used
to make FAA certified simulators.

That's true for Flight Simulator as well.