I think the reason people are speculating that we are in some type of simulation ~ is ~ because we are...Maybe not the way some think: Some super intelligent beings playing with an ant farm...It's because there is inherently a split between our "selves." We are indestructible souls ~ all part of one entity/energy.
Living inteporal existance, in fear of destruction (or the job), we experience a self that has created a life - a story. Why? to experience emotion...to travel...to experience ever expanding creations...We can not easily know...
The creator is not moving everything by himself - there are laws of nature and higher laws to facilitate the sojourner's exploration. You have independence to desire, choose, and even not believe any of this.
Since the journey seems to be set up (laws like reap and sow) around the self's evolution (return) to pure love or enlightenment, we can guide our direction by focused (or natural) desire. Many spiritual paths have attempted to quash desire, and others prescribe purifying the natural, continuous desire for the happiness that is the underlying root of desire.
An advanced knowlege of desire shows the dreamer as the cause of his dream...Imagine unlimited time (eternity) to realize the Self. Imagine and laugh if you know, the journey is to a place which you already exist, and always have...