What's up with this quest for an alternative to the perfect word for the job?
According to
Oxford Dictionary,
to emulate means "[to] match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation". There is also a case for usage of
emulate in computing: "reproduce the function or action of (a different computer, software system, etc.)".
Other dictionaries have similar definitions. I particularly like the one from
dictionary.com, which says that in computing
to emulate stands for "to
imitate (a particular computer system) by using a software system, often including a microprogram or another computer that enables it to do the same work, run the same programs, etc., as the first". The emphasis is mine.
Emulation does not equal to making an exact copy. What you guys are striving to make would be an actual emulator. But quite frankly, the whole argument is silly. You can call it a hero exfoliator or George if you'd like. Nobody will mind as long as we get to play the game.