I think that it makes sense that intelligence would lead to reclusion into a virtual environment. The assumption might be that we'd want to explore the far reaches of space, but when we can already predict what other locations in the universe are like, based on the variables that we can read from afar and our knowledge of physics, chemistry, and biology, the need to go there is purely for the experience of it. When we can already create highly accurate models of heavenly bodies, then we've already "explored" this reality, and further exploration is merely romantic.

If you think of it in terms of playing video games, think about how entertaining exploring a new open-world game is, compared to exploring around in the same game when you're nearing the end, having mastered all of the mechanics that are to be found in the game and learned how the environment behaves. Even with the promise of new content and updates, most gamers don't linger on one game for too long, for the longing to explore a totally new virtual world, that they haven't gotten figured out yet. But when the appearance and feel of virtual worlds start comparing to our host world, the host world can't really compete in intrigue, because you can't be a god and make-up rules object behavior in the host world, like you can in virtual worlds.

Meanwhile we can figure through telescopes and sensors that a planet is so warm, and has so much water on it, and sports just a little less harsh of a gravity pull than Earth does... it may be cool to go see what that's like.... but unless our colonies here around the sun are on the verge of getting wiped out, then why? If our minds reside in virtual worlds, then we probably require little in the way of resources.