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This Video Game Designer Thinks We’re Living in a Simulation

In a thought-provoking discussion, Rizwan Virk, a former video game developer and investor, explores the intriguing concept of simulation theory. Drawing from his experiences in virtual reality and insights from quantum…

March 10, 2025 • 3 min read • Art Grindstone

Art Grindstone is the hard-nosed storyteller behind Unexplained.co, a veteran investigator whose life’s work sits at the crossroads of the paranormal, fringe science, and the shadows most people try not to look into. With decades spent chasing impossible stories — black-budget psychic programs, vanished Cold War experiments, desert rituals that sparked UFO waves, and the strange phenomena buried in America’s forgotten backroads — Art brings a rare combination of skepticism, awe, and journalistic precision. He’s not here to debunk. He’s not here to blindly believe. He follows the evidence wherever it leads — even when it leads someplace deeply uncomfortable. Known for his immersive, cinematic style and his ability to turn obscure research into gripping narrative, Art has built a devoted following across podcasts, long-form features, documentaries, and serialized investigations. His interviews are direct. His analysis is unflinching. His voice has become a staple in the modern paranormal renaissance — the guy people turn to when a story is too strange, too complex, or too dangerous for anyone else to touch. Off-mic, Art works with a distributed network of researchers, archivists, and field operatives who help surface the stories mainstream media ignores. On-mic, he transforms their findings into meticulous, high-impact reporting that refuses to insult the intelligence of true believers. His philosophy is simple: Take the phenomenon seriously. Treat the audience with respect. Tell the story as if the world depends on it — because sometimes it does. When Art Grindstone digs into a case, he isn’t just chasing a mystery. He’s tracing the fault lines of reality itself.

In This Report(8)

In a thought-provoking discussion, Rizwan Virk, a former video game developer and investor, explores the intriguing concept of simulation theory. Drawing from his experiences in virtual reality and insights from quantum physics, he presents a compelling case for the possibility that our reality may be a sophisticated simulation.

Key Takeaways

The concept of simulation theory suggests we might be living in a computer-generated reality.
There are two main interpretations: NPC (non-player character) and RPG (role-playing game).
The “simulation point” refers to the technological singularity where simulations become indistinguishable from reality.
The delayed choice experiment in quantum physics challenges our understanding of time and reality.

The Journey Into Virtual Reality

Rizwan Virk’s journey began in Silicon Valley as a video game developer. After selling his last company in 2016, he immersed himself in virtual reality. Playing a ping pong game in VR, he experienced a moment where the lines between reality and simulation blurred. This led him to ponder how long it would take to create a simulation so immersive that players would forget they were in a game.

Understanding Simulation Theory

Virk delves into simulation theory, which posits that our universe might be a computer simulation. He highlights two interpretations:

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NPC Simulation: In this scenario, individuals are akin to non-player characters, existing as AI within the simulation.
RPG Simulation: Here, players have avatars in the game, suggesting a more interactive experience where individuals exist outside the simulation.

These interpretations raise questions about the nature of our existence and who or what might be controlling the simulation.

The Simulation Point

Virk introduces the concept of the “simulation point,” a technological singularity where simulations become indistinguishable from reality. He outlines ten stages of technology needed to reach this point, including advancements in brain-computer interfaces. As we approach this point, the potential for creating hyper-realistic simulations increases.

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The Probability of Living in a Simulation

Virk argues that if we can create simulations now, a civilization thousands of years ahead of us would likely have perfected this technology. He estimates a that we are currently living in a simulation. With numerous simulations possible, the statistical likelihood suggests we are more likely in a simulated reality than the original one.