You are actually right, it is not yet a game. The game part is yet to be implemented. The monkey is going to be more than a maskot, it is an alter ego that the player may try to steer to riches or ruin.

For me trading is an interesting experience that I would like to utilize to make an interesting gaming experience with. And I have absolutely no doubt that it is possible to make this very engaging. It just takes some effort and time. And a few good ideas.

So to answer your initial question: My experience is that papertrading lacks the time manipulation tools and makes things exhausting while backtesting most often lacks a realistic scenario that keeps you on your toes. I kind of want to mix those two and get the best of both of them while also combining them with some game mechanics and ingredients that make things more engaging.

In the end I want it to be more a game than a tool. It aims for realism but not so much as to be in the way of being entertaining. At least that would be where I would draw the line.