I recently spent some time playing Guitar Hero (yes, a 33-year-old woman does enjoy mindless video game entertainment at times). While reading about simulacra in Baudrillard's article, I started to think about how video games are a perfect example of simulation of a nonexistent experience.
In most video games, the player is able to do things that no human could ever do; my Buffy video games (based on the TV series, which was based on a movie) I am able to physically beat the snot out of various otherwordly monsters. In my Harry Potter video games (based on movies, which are based on books), I am able to cast spells. And in one of my favorites, Voodoo Vince, I portray a voodoo doll who scampers around New Orleans attempting to rescue the priestess who imbued him with life, and who defeats enemies by performing various lethal acts upon himself, which then transfers to the monsters around him (because he's a voodoo doll... get it?).
In Guitar Hero, the simulated experience is somewhat more realistic: you're in a rock band, playing gigs, earning money, and gaining a fanbase. There is a certain amount of skill involved (although most real-life guitar players might argue otherwise), and a lack of skill will result in less pay and fewer fans. This increase in realism seems to be a trend in video games, with Call of Duty attempting to simulate wartime experiences, and a vast range of sports games simulating football, baseball, hockey, even golf.
Personally, I prefer fighting aliens.
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