Simulation is a broad term. But simulation is, by definition, pretending. All simulations are tools that give you ersatz (as opposed to real) experience. Interactive pretending is the truth-in-advertising version of what simulation is about.
Of course it's certainly not the most salable title one could find for talking about simulation, and so you will see many others. Some may tell you their simulation is a precise predictor. It's not. Some may tell you their simulation is an exact cop