Ready Player One is a science fiction novel created by Ernest Cline in 2011, whose addiction to video games and the movies of the 1980s became his main source of inspiration. The main idea of the story is to describe the dystopian events of 2045, where most people were involved in virtual reality games to find an Easter game. The protagonist, Wade Watts, is one of gunters (online egg hunters) who wants to change the world. Among a variety of critical themes, social cooperation, leadership, and identity are thoroughly discussed.
The book focuses on social cooperation and the development of different skills online. In addition to virtual support and competition, the main characters prove the possibility of falling in love online and becoming friends. Today, it is normal for people to live online and share their emotions and intentions distantly, and Cline shows one of the extremes of such relationships.
Another interesting aspect of the chosen novel is the protagonist’s leadership qualities. It is not enough to participate in the game and win or lose it but to demonstrate the enjoyment of the results. Although Wade does not try to gain control over other characters like other corporations do, his passion and dedication to online activities make him a good leader in a dystopian world. Cline succeeds in transforming Wade from a selfish young man into a loyal and altruistic person.
Finally, the story underlines the importance of understanding how people treat their identities and what challenges they might face. Financial aspects and personal ambitions are mixed in virtual reality as well as in the real world. However, the author wants to explain the power of human choices and manipulations that become inevitable.
In conclusion, Ready Player One is not just another fiction novel that introduces a new technologically advanced society. It is a story of how people cooperate, support each other, and define the desired goals. Sometimes, characters make wrong decisions due to poor critical thinking. However, if the best human qualities are identified and applied, success can be achieved, and the world may be improved.