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Set for release in March 2018, Ready Player One is the film adaptation of a science fiction novel, written by an American Author, Ernest Cline. It is a contemporary sci-fi story set in a dystopian future, but most of the narrative takes place in a virtual reality ‘game’ called the OASIS. The film is directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by Warner Bros.

Ready Player One poster | A Steven Spielberg Film

What is it all about?

In the year 2044, the world is in ruin due to an energy crisis and the consequences of global warming. To escape the decline of Earth and to replace the dwindling economy, people turn to the OASIS, a virtual reality simulator accessible by players using visors and haptic technology such as gloves. Initial created as an MMORPG (Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) by social awkward billionaire James Halliday, the virtual world quickly became so much more, turning into a virtual society, with its in-game money becoming the most stable currency in the world.

When Halliday, the richest man in the world died, he left his entirety of his fortune and control of his corporation to whomever can find the “Easter Egg” (an undocumented feature in a piece of computer software, included as a joke or a bonus) that he hid in the games code. In his will he left a series of clues to the egg’s whereabouts, essential in deciphering the elaborate clues is an encyclopedic knowledge of 80s pop culture and great deal of skill in retro/coin-op video games. The story is all about the hunt for this Easter Egg as we follow school boy & hardcore Gunter (Egg Hunter) Wade Watts try and solve the puzzles first, before it can get into the hands of the IOI (Innovative Online Industries) an evil tech corporation hell-bent on seizing power of the OASIS and monetizing it.

Ready Player One book

With Spielberg and Warner Bros. on-board we know it’s going to be spectacular, and some of the visuals in the trailer look stunning – check it out below.

The story draws great influence from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, an eccentric billionaire giving his fortune away to the one who is most deserving. Warner Bros. have embraced this inspiration with the soundtrack for the latest trailer. The opening shot is of the crystal key, the final piece of the puzzle to Halliday’s fortune. Readers of the book will notice tons of key moments in there too, with it all culminating with an epic space battle at the end.

Because of the incredible cult following the book had and the amazing backing the film has got, we thought it would be a brilliant opportunity to create some Ready Player One merchandise to go alongside the movie launch!

You can join the hunt with your very own Crystal Key keyring, and stay alert on the move with our ‘Gunter Life’ travel mug. Check out our full Ready Player One range here.
[envira-gallery id=”2416″] With so many references to 80s pop culture we expect viewers to be hit with nostalgia as the world once again indulges in the popular brands of their youth, so our PAC-MAN merchandise and Space Invaders gifts should tie into the 80s trend really well!