Why the Actual Easter Egg Is Important in ‘Ready Player One’

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Ready Player One is legendary director Steven Spielberg’s big-screen take on the popular 2011 sci-fi novel by Ernest Cline.

It’s the year 2045 and Earth is in trouble — there’s widespread corporate corruption, pollution, over-crowding, and climate change. People are retreating into a virtual reality world called the OASIS. There they can enjoy entertainment, go to school, and even work.

And if that’s not enough, the creator of the OASIS left a challenge in the game before he died. “Anorak’s Quest” sends players on a search for a literal Easter Egg. Whoever finds it wins ownership of the OASIS and his personal fortune.

Wade enters the OASIS in search of the Easter egg.

Wade Watts is up for the challenge. A teenager living in the “stacks,” Wade spends his days inside the OASIS playing as an egg hunter named Parzival.

But Wade isn’t the only one searching for the Easter Egg — players from across the world join the quest. Alongside Wade are his friends Art3mis, Aech, Daito, and Shoto — and he’s gonna need all the help he can get.

Opposing them is the evil Innovative Online Industries. Led by Nolan Sorrento, IOI sends players known as “Sixers” into the OASIS to find the Easter Egg and stop Wade and his friends.

Nolan Sorrento in Ready Player One
Nolan Sorrento is out to stop Wade from finding the egg.

Ready Player One is a movie that wears its love of pop culture on its sleeve. You’ve might’ve noticed, for instance, that Wade’s avatar looks like Dante from Devil May Cry, except that he’s wearing a Thundercats belt.

It’s a world packed with recognizable characters and iconic objects, from the classic Delorean of Back to the Future to Halo’s Spartan supersoldiers. And where else can you find a race scene that features the A-Team van, the ‘66 Batmobile, and Speed Racer?

It’ll be a challenge finding all of the metaphorical Easter Eggs and pop culture references — but if you’re up to the task check out Ready Player One in theaters.

brianonthescreen
Hi! I'm the Director of Community Partnerships at Fandom. My team collaborates with gaming and entertainment partners to make Fandom a fun and exciting place for editors and other site users.