A system for providing a virtual reality system is disclosed. In particular, the system provides a game-simulation hybrid that provides a massive online virtual world and accompanying network based around user profiles, events, activities, challenges, virtual lifestyle, and advertising. The system enables users to actively participate in live events or activities occurring in locations remote from the users by rendering digital versions of the live events or activities via applications executing on the computing devices of the users. The digital versions of the live events may be rendered within the virtual world and the system may enable users to interact in the virtual world in meaningful ways. For example, the system may enable users to communicate with other users during the rendering of the live events or activities, participate in the rendered live events with other users, interact with and purchase various rendered goods and services, among other functionality.