simulatedvirtual

Simulatedvirtual is a term used in discussions of computing and philosophy to denote a class of systems in which virtual environments are generated and experienced inside a broader computational substrate that itself is a simulation. In this sense, the 'virtual' is nested within the 'simulated', creating layered experiences that aim to preserve presence and interactivity while operating under a higher-level simulation engine. The concept emphasizes the decoupling of perception from physical hardware, focusing on how algorithmic processes produce immersive environments that may emulate or exceed real-world experience.

The term is a portmanteau of simulated and virtual and appears in speculative essays, science fiction, and philosophical discussions; it does not refer to a single, standardized technology.

It builds on virtual reality, real-time rendering, physics engines, procedural generation, and simulation theory. In an imagined 'simulatedvirtual' stack, an outer simulation controls resources, time, and inputs for inner simulations, raising challenges of synchronization, determinism, granularity, and latency.

In fiction, it provides a framework for exploring consciousness or agency within simulations. In research, it serves as a thought experiment for the nature of reality, user experience design in layered simulations, and the ethics of simulated beings.

Critics point to epistemic and ontological issues, heavy computational costs, and potential risk of deception; practical implementations may be limited by hardware, software complexity, and the difficulty of measuring fidelity.

Related topics include simulated reality, virtual reality, digital twin, and simulation theory.