While Colin and the Diffraction folks help with MaxIM, be advised that ACP uses MaxIm only for image acquisition and guiding. MaxIm's own Observatory Control is out of the picture, and guiding uses the ASCOM Direct if you are software guiding (as opposed to guider cables).

I wonder if your software can simulate all the hardware, without actually connecting the hardware.
Yes, by using the ASCOM Mount and Dome simulators (they come with the free and required ASCOM Platform) instead of your real dome and mount. When you select your dome and telescope, and the Chooser appears (and this is the same in MaxIm):





And here is a map to the info in ACP help about simulation (I know you maybe don't have the software yet but you'll get an idea of the level of detail in Help):