> one of the Culture novels by Iain Banks 'Surface Detail' [0], by Iain M. Banks (the author uses 'Iain Banks' for non-SF work). > Two civilizations decide to

> one of the Culture novels by Iain Banks 'Surface Detail' [0], by Iain M. Banks (the author uses 'Iain Banks' for non-SF work). > Two civilizations decide to settle a dispute by fighting simulated wars in VR. The war is between 'pro-hell' and 'anti-hell' supporters (hells are virtual environments where uploaded individuals can be subjected to eternal damnation). The war is a massive set of campaigns in various virtual environments with the loser agreeing to accept the overall result as a binding result. Things go wrong when one side begins to lose the virtual war and decides to escalate it into the Real. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_Detail https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_Detail