A method for facilitating simulated purchases by virtual representations of participants in computer-based simulations of items outside of the context of computer-based simulations, the method including receiving a simulated payment for an item for purchase, where the simulated payment is associated with a virtual representation of a participant in a computer-based simulation, where the item is available for purchase outside of the context of the simulation, and where the simulated payment is received outside of the context of the simulation, and providing a description of the item to a process of the simulation, where the description is provided subsequent to receiving the simulated payment, where and the description is provided in association with the virtual representation.