InsideTheSimulation: A Journey Through Crypto, Gaming, and AI

The Early Days of Curiosity

InsideTheSimulation’s foray into the world of cryptocurrency began in 2017. It was a casual mention of Ethereum during a work project that sparked a flame of curiosity about this emergent technology. Although he had a fleeting encounter with Bitcoin years earlier, it was the allure of Ethereum—the idea of programmable money and smart contracts—that truly captivated him. This newfound interest led to a deeper exploration of Ethereum’s potential to streamline processes, reduce intermediaries, and create a more equitable distribution of value.

Since those early days, InsideTheSimulation has witnessed significant shifts within the crypto landscape, from the frenetic rise and fall of Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) to the expansive growth of decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Throughout these cycles, he’s kept his focus on Ethereum’s long-term commitment to decentralization, which he believes is essential for maintaining a neutral, global network.

"What’s kept me around is the continued delivery of the Ethereum roadmap over time while staying true to the core principle of decentralization," he reflects. He feels lucky to have weathered the storms of ICO booms, DeFi Summers, NFT crazes, and the transition to Proof of Stake, always awaiting the execution of what Ethereum has promised.

The Impact of Community

As a founding member of the EVMavericks, InsideTheSimulation credits this community with significantly deepening his understanding of Ethereum’s intricate technical and cultural landscape. The award-winning NFT presented to top contributors within the r/ethFinance community united a group of enthusiastic builders and analysts.

Despite initial controversies surrounding NFT trading, he notes that this experience highlighted the power of digital ownership in reinforcing online community continuity. It enabled him to prove his identity across various platforms without relying on centralized authorities, which only bolstered his appreciation for self-custody and decentralized systems. For him, NFTs are less about speculation and more a means of portable credibility.

"A lot of people have a bad mental model for NFTs. Their reputation is deservedly sullied because of all the nonsense that went on during the NFT craze," he admits. "But for me, NFTs are the key to tokenized legitimacy."

From Web2 to AI: An Evolution in Work

After spending a decade immersed in web2, InsideTheSimulation recognized the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in modern workflows. Instead of resisting this shift, he embraced it, reimagining his role to resemble more of an engineering manager for Large Language Models (LLMs) than a traditional software engineer.

His shift toward AI accelerated when he began experimenting with the Remix platform. This exploration led him to build and publish games, breaking free from the psychological barrier of requiring extensive expertise. Instead of asking, “How do I do this?”, he began thinking, “This can be done—how do I guide the tools to get there?” This change in mindset continues to influence his work in agent-based AI, focusing on making these intelligent systems more accessible and useful.

"Agentic AI is really fun and the landscape is brand new. It’s an exciting opportunity to establish the tooling that everyone is going to need," he says. He aims to contribute to simplifying the process of making genuinely smart agents.

The Making of Lane Splitter

Lane Splitter, his game that earned him the title of “Remixer of the Year” at the GAM3 Awards 2025, started as a technical experiment. Initially, he aimed to understand how older 2D engines created 3D effects, reminiscent of arcade games that blended simplicity with visual depth.

The two-week development window of a game jam imposed strict constraints, ultimately shaping the game’s design in unexpected ways. A bug that shifted the camera into a first-person view unexpectedly enhanced the player’s experience, altering the game’s trajectory toward engaging replay-driven mechanics instead of complex upgrade systems. This thoughtful pivot from intricate mechanics to customizable, intuitive ones made Lane Splitter both approachable and captivating for players.

Even with such accomplishments, he remains grounded, understanding the subjective nature of gaming preferences. Some of his personal favorite projects often attract criticism, demonstrating his respect for the broader creative landscape and the diverse talents of fellow creators on the Remix platform.

"It’s a huge honor to win the GAM3 Award. I make games I want to play, but I’m often surprised by what resonates with a larger audience," he explains, shedding light on the unpredictable nature of game reception.

Web3’s Evolution Through Lane Splitter

While Lane Splitter’s performance stands out, InsideTheSimulation believes the platform around it signifies a more critical measure of the future of web3 gaming. He describes Remix as akin to a “TikTok for games,” which promotes a wide variety of games in an easily digestible social format. As technical barriers diminish, players will engage with these games without needing an understanding of the underlying cryptocurrency mechanics.

In his eyes, labeling games as "web3" often overshadows the actual benefits these platforms provide, focusing too heavily on technology rather than gameplay and player ownership. He holds that prioritizing these aspects could broaden the audience, allowing more players to enter this exciting new realm.

"I think it’s less Lane Splitter itself and more that it can exist alongside such a varied catalog on a platform like Remix. I believe in the vision of being ‘TikTok for games,’" he states. He anticipates a greater acceptance of web3 gaming as technical complexities fade away, allowing players to enjoy these experiences without prior crypto knowledge.

Future Aspirations: AI, Games, and Interactive Worlds

Looking ahead, InsideTheSimulation is eager to continue developing games and deepen his involvement with agentic AI. He is particularly passionate about helping others understand the broader capabilities of AI agents beyond basic chatbots, offering guidance to teams eager to integrate these technologies into their workflows.

When envisioning a classic game reincarnated with web3 elements, he imagines a survival-focused sandbox world endowed with verifiable land ownership and peer-to-peer economies. Picture a Minecraft-like environment rooted in decentralized systems, flourishing through meaningful collaboration, resource trading, and gameplay driven by player interactions.

"If anyone reading this needs insight, tooling, or assistance for AI agents then we should talk—my DMs are open across platforms," he invites. With his commitment to bridging these cutting-edge technologies, InsideTheSimulation is on a mission to empower creators and shape the future landscape of gaming and AI.