History Main / VirtualTrainingSimulation

[[quoteright:350:[[VideoGame/MetalGear https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/mgs_565.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Reality doesn't look anything like this.]]

Showing up mostly in ScienceFiction settings, the Virtual Training Simulation is ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin -- a training session, or perhaps an exam, set in virtual reality.

* In ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaAs'' manga, the title character constructs a virtual training environment inside her head with the help of a {{Magitek}} computer and uses it for combat training without compromising her civilian muggle guise.
** Also, a borderline example in ''[=StrikerS=]'': the Riot Force 6 constructs a virtual training environment for the Forwards, however, said environment is made of magical HardLight, so it is actually very real until dispelled.

* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED'' has the ''Dominion'' undergo a simulated battle under Natarle Badgiruel's command. While Natarle proves herself more than capable, her crew does not, the Dominion is sunk, and the simulation ends.
* ''Anime/MacrossFrontier'' has Alto losing horribly in one as part of his TrainingFromHell from Mikael, who deliberately turned up the difficulty.
* ''Literature/RebuildWorld'' has a variant of this, AugmentedReality training, where the combatants wear goggles that through a computer, simulate their weapons going off and where they’ll hit. Akira does this while training Sheryl’s gang of StreetUrchin rabble into a full blown hunter PrivateMilitaryCompany. He improvised at first with just his VirtualSidekick and cheap goggles, but after he [[CorporateSponsoredSuperhero got a corporate sponsorship]] from KIRYO, to test out their FlawedPrototype MissionControl and augmented reality system on the gang, the training improves significantly, not only making the kids into warriors, but Akira into a OneManArmy by simulating taking on the whole gang himself.

* The "Danger Room" of the ComicBook/XMen was originally basically just an obstacle course, but in the later issues it was rebuilt into one of these, using holographic technology.
* In ''ComicBook/{{Pouvoirpoint}}'', because of the growing threat of Proximian attack, the crew of starship Entreprise-2061 has carry out self-defense training in the gym room, in the form of a [[CaptureTheFlag Capture the Flag]] game set in a [[ArtificialOutdoorsDisplay virtual jungle]]. Players wear big VR glasses and use Amiga joysticks.

* ''Film/TheMatrix''.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXQozTxQSiE Neo and Morpheus are walking through a crowd and Agent Smith suddenly appears]].
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d14jRsAobtk Morpheus testing Neo's martial arts abilities]].
** "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9Nh0Fvoe9k Tank. Load the Jump program]]".
* ''Film/{{Toys}}''. Pretty much the point of the film (namely that it's a bad idea, at least to do it to children).
* ''Film/TheLastStarfighter''. An apparent ordinary arcade game turns out to be one of these, both a training device and a recruiting tool to find promising pilots.
* ''Film/AmericanAssassin'' features the VR goggles version (with the trainees actually moving around in a large gymnasium-like space), complete with electric shocks for shooting non-combatants (and a bigger shock for letting yourself get shot by a simulated "terrorist").

* In ''Literature/ArtemisFowl'', the LEP are trained with these. Holly Short passed one of her exams by shooting the projector, technically defeating all the enemies.

* Frequently used by Literature/TheCulture, who have sufficient computing power to create indistinguishable-from reality VR on a whim, and who like to be very prepared before they enter a situation. Gets bizarre in ''Literature/SurfaceDetail'', where we're told the combatants in the War in Heaven use simulations to prepare for "real" battles ''which are themselves taking place in VR''.

* In the ''Literature/HonorHarrington'' series, these are shown being used both at [[MilitaryAcademy Saganami Island]] and by ships in space to train personnel, used at times as a DangerRoomColdOpen. The gravity manipulation that's de rigeur for the series allows them to simulate things like losing gravity generation and the ship shaking when taking significant damage.
* Several in the ''Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse'', where holograms and anti-gravity technology make for incredibly realistic flight simulators.

* The ''Franchise/StarTrek'' universe has the holodecks which, as the name implies, use holograms.
* Ditto for the simudeck on the Astro Megaship in ''Series/PowerRangersInSpace''. In addition to having most of the same purposes as the Star Trek holodecks, it was also a clever way of using ''[[Series/DenjiSentaiMegaranger Megaranger]]'' footage that would otherwise have been unsuitable.

* The campaign in ''VideoGame/FutureWars (2010)'' is that students are preparing for war in an a simulation similar to ''VideoGame/AdvanceWars'', almost as if it's for multiplayer that wasn't included in the original game. However, the training is somehow SeriousBusiness and there's someone who wants to break the main player's winning streak. %% Note: VideoGame/FutureWars links to a different point-and-click game. It's also not worth creating an alternate page

* In ''VideoGame/StarOceanTillTheEndOfTime'' virtual training rooms (video games) are implied to be quite popular. The [[HeKnowsAboutTimedHits tutorial]] takes place inside one.
* A big part of the plot of ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2SonsOfLiberty''. Other games include VR training.
* Used in the ''Franchise/JamesBond'' game ''VideoGame/EverythingOrNothing''.
* Often used in ''Franchise/SpiderMan'' games.

* It's part of the {{backstory}} of ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerTiberianDawn'' game that you're a "telegeneral" leading your troops from a computer screen, as if you're playing a RealTimeStrategy game, and thet you were first flagged as potential command talent because the GDI and Nod are monitoring online strategy games for that reason.
* ''VideoGame/SpaceQuest''

* Red trains using these halfway through ''VideoGame/{{Solatorobo}}''. The scenarios within are based on his subconscious, so they recycle parts of his adventure thus far, as well as [[spoiler:unlocking the repressed memories of his origins]].
* The LightGunGame ''VideoGame/RangerMission'', although not stated outright, is implied to run on this trope. You assume the role of a counter-terrorist soldier shooting enemies left and right, but with BloodlessCarnage abound and as soon as a terrorist is hit, he immediately dissolves into a wireframe model. Additionally, the missions where you blow up enemy vehicles have them disappearing instead of outright exploding.
* The home computer versions of ''VideoGame/StriderArcade'' seems to follow the official story. However, completing the fifth stage (by destroying Mecha Pon) reveals that Strider was performing a simulation in preparation for the actual battle, and that his skills will become handy when the real invasion starts. The ending also recycles images, implying that the villains General Mikiel and Tong Pooh were praising Strider for completing the simulation.
* Much like ''The Last Starfighter'', Ryusei Date's storyline in ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsOriginalGeneration'' starts with his being recruited to become a mecha pilot based on his performance with a video game created to train and scout prospective recruits. Military-grade simulators are also referred to in several cutscenes.
* ''VideoGame/TheMatrixPathOfNeo'' let's you play through all of Neo's training simulations, including the fight with Morpheus and an altered version of the jump program.
* In ''VideoGame/{{MUGEN}}'' one of the two default stages that comes with the game is the "Training Room", which is based off these.
* ''VideoGame/JudgeDreddDreddVsDeath'': A variation in the tutorial level--the training area itself is real, but the perps and hostages are all holograms.
* During Issue #8 of ''VideoGame/TheSecretWorld'', players discover that the [[FictionalUnitedNations Council of Venice]]'s headquarters at the [[ElaborateUndergroundBase Sunken Library]] is in possession of an unimaginably powerful virtual reality machine. As it so happens, this machine is primarily used for training purposes, and players are charged with completing several training sessions in order to earn proper certification to enter [[WhereItAllBegan Tokyo]] in the following issue.
* ''VideoGame/MassEffect1'' DLC ''Pinnacle Station'' features the eponymous space station which uses holograms to simulate combat scenarios, both for training and competition. Normally these simulations are harmless, but if you can beat the records in all scenarios, Captain Ahern will offer you a scenario in which you ''can'' get killed.
** In ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'' you get the equivalent with the Armax Arsenal Arena, a combat simulator complex located in the Citadel's Silversun Strip. It is actually presented as a game open to public, but it works the same way as a military simulator, and you can access to it freely to combat with holograms.
* In ''VideoGame/CosmicStarHeroine'', once you clear the area of enemies, you can choose "Battle" from pause menu to engage in a virtual recreation of one of the battles from the area, allowing for LevelGrinding in a game with no RespawningEnemies.

* Gladiators in ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiII'' use these to train. More importantly, Hawk first meets [[BigGood Stephen]] in one of these, who gives him a copy of the Demon Summoning Program.
* TheReveal in ''VideoGame/DigitalDevilSaga'' is that [[spoiler:the whole world is one. Everyone except for Sera and Angel are combat [=AIs=], and the ForeverWar is a computer simulation meant to train them in urban warfare. Then Angel used it to test the Demon Virus, which had some [[HumanityEnsues odd side effects]]]].
* In ''VideoGame/GitenMegamiTensei'', the Devil Busters of Hatsudai Shelter have one that they use for training, as well as testing new recruits. Civilians are also allowed to use it, but they're restricted to the lowest setting.
* ''VideoGame/{{Headhunter}}'': the protagonist has to take VR tests to obtain new weapons and earn higher-ranked licenses that advance the plot.

* In ''Webcomic/BobAndGeorge'' the heroes train in a holodeck style room - which malfunctions frequently. In fact pretty much every time they use it.
* ''Webcomic/GunnerkriggCourt'' has the students play those, apparently for entertainment rather than training.

[[folder:Web Original]]
* The heroes of ''Webcomic/TheMotleyTwo'' participate in one of these as part of army training, and those who do badly face demotion. It's sort of patterned after typical CompetitiveMultiplayer {{First Person Shooter}}s, with two teams against each other; one of the "game modes" is an "escort the VIP" objective, while in another an outnumbered team defends themselves until they can use an airstrike.
[[/folder]]

* The ''WesternAnimation/DangerMouse'' relaunch episode "Megahurtz Attacks" has a DangerRoomColdOpen with Penfold taking a training simulation to become a Danger Agent (Grade 2). Because of RuleOfFunny, the simulation works like a video game, with inventory puzzles and enemies turning into giant coins when defeated. The eponymous Megahurtz is the FinalBoss, who escapes into the real world and causes havoc, continuing to run on video game logic.

* TruthInTelevision, as both civilian agencies and the armed forces use a variety of simulators to help prepare them for things they might encounter in RealLife, though generally not of the VR Goggles or Matrix variety.

* In the ''LightNovel/CatPlanetCuties'' light novels, the Catians have holodecks that look exactly like one out of ''Star Trek'' when not active. At least, that's the look chosen in the anime version.

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

* In ''[[Literature/CarrerasLegions The Lotus Eaters]]'', Admiral Wallenstein uses a VR training station to get the Earl of Care up to speed on commanding a starship, as Wallenstein's promotion just before the Earl was put under her left the United Earth Peace Fleet ship she was previously commanding without a CO.

* ''Literature/EndersGame''. Mostly.

[[folder:Live Action TV]]

* The campaign in ''Future Wars'' (2010) is that students are preparing for war in an a simulation similar to ''Advance Wars'', almost as if it's for multiplayer that wasn't included in the original game. However, the training is somehow SeriousBusiness and there's someone who wants to break the main player's winning streak. %% Note: VideoGame/FutureWars links to a different point-and-click game. It's also not worth creating an alternate page

* The premise of the vertical {{shmup}} ''Image Fight''.

[[folder:Webcomics]]