It’s 2111 you’ve been scanning the neural net for a staggering 32.8 seconds. You’re having a bit of a dilemma in finding a sim that you haven’t yet run. After having briefly perused about 562 titles, you’ve reached the conclusion that you’ve hit the bottom of the barrel and it’s now time to try 'The Fine Game of NIL' which was released three cycles ago by some abstract Indie company called ERIS Corporation.

he cover art is bland and lackluster with what appears to be a solid golden apple against a dull background, which is why mostly you’ve been avoiding it, yet you’ve depleted all but 3 credits, and conveniently enough this one is on sale for only 2.99, so you acknowledge the purchase and stream it live.

You are quickly met with a short intro to the game, and there are several options to choose from, everything is mostly a no brainer except for the GamenesiaⓀ option. Apparently, by enabling this feature, it will run the sim in an isolated sector of ram, and this allows for only simulated recollection during gameplay. Ah well, you think to yourself, you’ve never tried that before, may as well give it a go. It’s just another sim after all.

2 minutes 28 seconds later..

42 years have elapsed, and so far, you’re living a unique life. You have a wife and a daughter, it’s Saturday in July, and time to go to the beach again, something that’s become somewhat of a summer ritual. As you strap your 6-year-old child into the passenger seat and climb into the hot and muggy car, you give the horn a couple of taps.

Five minutes later, and outcomes Amelia, she’s towing in hand picnic supplies, star crunch beach treats, hamburgers, marshmallows, chocolates, and graham crackers for smores. All of the necessary supplies for a nice weekend retreat at the beachfront property you just finished paying off.

As Amelia enters the car, the door closes with a thud. Gracie, are you buckled up baby? Yes, mommy! You’ve finally hit the freeway and are off to the beach. The radio is on, and you’re listening to that tune for the umpteenth time thinking to yourself. It’s funny how they kind of brainwash you into liking these crazy, crazy songs as the words slip out your mouth “whoop them gangland style; whoop, whoop, whoop!”

Suddenly there's a loud crash! You awaken to the sound of sirens. You can hear your daughter Gracie in the background, and your wife Amelia screaming to the rescue crew who are operating the jaws of death to: “GET HIM OUT!!!!!” Gracie is whaling hysterically, and all you can think to do is pray to God in thanks, that they are not in the car with you.

You say a short prayer: “Dear God, thank you so much for getting my wife and daughter out of this car, and in one piece. For that I owe you everything, if it’s your will to do the same for me, please let it be so. If not, I understand and am still overwhelmed with joy that you saw fit to save my family.”

The crackling, and smell of your own flesh burning, begins to permeate the car, it’s the most incredible pain you’ve ever experienced. You can feel the shock start to set in. It hurts so bad, but now, the pain is receding. You remember reading about how your brain releases a surge of DMT right before death.

You think to yourself, this is it, it’s happening right now, and it feels like you’ve entered a giant kaleidoscope that goes on forever and ever. You're blessed with a fair amount of time to meditate upon how you lived your life. Suddenly, everything fades to black.

Simstation: Total Recall Granted!

The room slowly begins to rematerialize, you feel like you’re in a cold sweat, but quickly remember that you cannot sweat. Wow what a trip, you think to yourself. Humans sure had it rough. That was something ugly-beautiful beyond my wildest simulations! Just as your reminded of the longing you have for those you left behind, some words appear into the empty space in front of you.