In 2045, most people escape their difficult real lives by entering the OASIS, a vast virtual reality world created by James Halliday. Before dying, Halliday leaves a challenge: whoever finds an Easter egg hidden in the OASIS will inherit his fortune and full control of the system.
Wade Watts, a poor but skilled gamer, joins millions of players competing in the hunt. With his friends, he solves puzzles based on pop culture while facing a powerful corporation, IOI, that wants to control the OASIS for profit.
The story follows his journey of competition, friendship, and the struggle between