Maybe it's just a difference in perspective, but I don't think it's reasonable to expect pilots on Vatsim to perform to the same standards as actual instrument rated pilots.

However, the exact opposite is expected for controllers.

Your comment of "It's a game. Games are supposed to be fun" is only mostly true. Games have rules. When people don't follow the rules of the game, the game is not fun...it's unfair. The rules on VATSIM are very clear (CoC) and are intended to keep realism at a high level. For pilots, the key rules we are talking about here are in B8:

B8(a) A pilot must be familiar and proficient with the operation of their aircraft prior to connecting to the VATSIM network and shall comply with all agreed (read-back) air traffic control clearances or instructions. Where unable to do so, such as where operational safety is compromised (e.g. TCAS conflict resolution), air traffic control must be notified without delay.
B8(b) A pilot is expected to undergo reasonable preparation for their intended flight and potential diversions. This includes basic familiarization with arrival/departure airports, departure/arrival procedures and their planned route. This includes familiarization with airspace structure to prevent infringement of controlled or restricted airspace.
B8(c) A pilot shall be expected to promptly comply with basic air traffic control instructions that are applicable to their flight rules. These include:
(1) Holding position on the ground at an airport
(2) Flying a speed, heading, altitude or flight level
(3) Approach to land, either visually or flying an accepted instrument approach procedure
(4) When IFR, fly a cleared route by use of navigation aids / waypoints and fly to unplanned navigational aids / waypoints when instructed
(5) When IFR, fly a holding pattern
The expectations are clear. The rules are clear. The "FUN" level for controllers and pilots alike is tied directly to everyone following these rules in the VATSIM CoC.

Does it take practice? Yep. Is this stuff generally hard and complex to someone who doesn't train IRL for either a Pilot Cert and Instrument Rating and/or an ATC specialist job? Yep! But with the VAST resources (free and available online), along with time and patience, the skills are learnable -- both in the virtual flight deck and behind the virtual scopes.

And, I respectfully submit to you that taking the time to do it right and to play by the rules instead of just hacking through it, is VASTLY more rewarding!

The Oracle of Omaha invites you to invest in one of VATUSA prized annual events -- Bring Your Own Bizjet! From all over the world, the uber wealthy converge on unassuming and (sorta) humble Omaha, Nebraska to shake hands and define the willpower of the titans of the marketplace!

ZMP knows you waited until the last minute. Don't worry, we won't tell!

Lucky for you, the world famous Mall of America is right across the street from the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport!

ZMP will be providing full ATC service to KMSP as well as to Flying Cloud Airport (KFCM) in Eden Prairie, MN, home of the Eden Prairie Shopping Center.

More than enough time for you to fly in, hit the malls, and fly out...before anyone else knows how long you waited!

More details at https://minniecenter.org/events/275

ZMP's 18th Annual Northern Migration. VATSIM controllers from across the country convene in the Twin Cities for a weekend of live VATSIM controlling with our key staffing occurring Saturday night featuring MSP.

Covering all of Minnesota, and most of Wisconsin, the Dakotas, parts of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Michigan, Minneapolis Center is geographically the largest ARTCC in the USA. Our major focus airport for this event is Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP), but we we also provide top-down coverage and some local TRACON coverage for destinations such as OMA, DSM, GRB, DLH, FAR, GFK, MOT, BIS, GRB, as well as several VFR towers.

ZMP's annual tribute to the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting in OMA is being joined this year by our friends at The Pilot Club (TPC) for their Fly-In Thursday event! Bizjets galore and some decent airline traffic converge on OMA for this amazing event.

It's science... the coldest part of winter in Minneapolis is from mid-January to mid-February. But also a busy time for travelers headed to and from MSP -- those escaping the cold, as well as those embracing it!

Minneapolis Center's LIVE winter event is a highlight for our in-person staffers to our online extended facility as well as for pilots across the network. Enjoy full staffing and realistic winter operations at KMSP. If inclement winter weather is in the forecast, expect delays for deicing, snow removal, and missed approaches - hope you brought enough fuel!

As always in anticipation of a large event, we ask that pilots ensure that they have up-to-date scenery for KMSP, including runway 17/35. ZMP heartily recommends FlightBeam Studios’ excellent KMSP-HD scenery for FSX and P3D, and freeware options for FSX/FS2004 and X-Plane are also available from your add-on library of choice.

We’ll keep the fire warm and look forward to seeing everyone at MSP!

The Minnesota State Fair -- which sees over 2 million visitors across ten days -- is on its way! Come fly in to Minneapolis-St.Paul Int'l (MSP), St. Paul Downtown Airport (STP) and hitch a ride up to the fair. Pronto pups, cheese curds, Sweet Martha's Cookies, and hundreds of other foods (most of them on a stick) await hungry attendees, as do hundreds of exhibitors, displays, concerts, events, and of course the Mighty Midway full of rides and games.

Come check out the "Great Minnesota Get Together" and find your inner youbetcha! Minnesota Nice ATC staffing will guide you along the way!

1800-2200 CDT/2300-0300Z

ZMP's 17th Annual Northern Migration. VATSIM controllers from across the country convene in the Twin Cities for a weekend of  live VATSIM controlling. After a two-year break of in-person gathering due to COVID-19, we are looking forward to a fantastic Northern Migration XVII!

Covering all of Minnesota, and most of Wisconsin, the Dakotas, parts of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Michigan, Minneapolis Center is geographically the largest ARTCC in the USA. Our major focus airport for this event is Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP), but we will also provide top-down coverage and some local TRACON coverage for destinations such as OMA, DSM, GRB, DLH, FAR, GFK, MOT, BIS, GRB, as well as several VFR towers.

Expect staffing to ramp up beginning Friday, July 22. The main event (where we will have dedicated full facility staffing) will commence 2300Z on July 23 until traffic dies off late in the evening.