Ernest Cline’s 2011 science fiction novel, Ready Player One, captivated readers with its intricate references to pop culture and its portrayal of a society heavily reliant on a virtual reality world called OASIS. The novel’s plot follows the quest of the protagonist to win a game within OASIS, which would grant them control over the virtual reality world and immense wealth and power.
For those who enjoyed the immersive world-building and game structure of Ready Player One, there are other books that offer a similar experience. In this article, we will explore 10 books that are sure to satisfy readers’ cravings for a science fiction adventure with a pop culture twist.
1. Armada, by Ernest Cline
In his novel Armada, Ernest Cline explores similar themes to his previous work, Ready Player One. The story follows the adventures of Zack, a teenage boy who is the top-ranked player of the video game Armada. The game involves piloting a spaceship for the Earth Defense Alliance against invading aliens. However, Zack soon discovers that the game was actually a tool to identify talented pilots for a real-life alien invasion.
Like Ready Player One, Armada is filled with fast-paced pop culture references and a gaming structure. Cline’s novels capture the childhood sense that anything could happen, and Armada is no exception. The book’s premise is reminiscent of the film The Last Starfighter, with which it shares many similarities.
2. The Running Man, by Stephen King
In Stephen King’s novel, The Running Man, the protagonist, Ben Richards, participates in a violent reality television program where he is hunted by law enforcement and rewarded for every officer he kills. Set in a dystopian America, the novel portrays a world of economic devastation that drives individuals to desperate measures. Richards, a man with a sick daughter, chooses to participate in the game in order to win money to provide for her medical treatment.
The novel explores how characters subvert the rules of the game to change their world. However, unlike Ready Player One, the violence in The Running Man is very visceral and physical. The novel presents a bleak and disturbing vision of the future, where the government and media manipulate the public to maintain control.
Despite the differences in setting and tone, both Ready Player One and The Running Man share a common theme of subverting rules and using technology to change the world. However, King’s novel offers a darker and more brutal perspective on the consequences of such actions.
3. Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson
Stephenson’s Snow Crash presents a virtual world called the Metaverse, which is even more unpredictable than Cline’s OASIS. The main character, Hiro Protagonist, is a pizza delivery boy for the mafia, a genius computer hacker, and the world’s best sword fighter. The novel’s dystopian setting is similar to Ready Player One in that the government has been completely taken over by corporate interests, and a group of media moguls aims to subjugate humanity with a virus that affects both organic brains and computer systems, causing them to crash.
Stephenson’s vision of a virtual world is a mix of anything-goes energy and a reality that feels just barely more grounded. The novel’s playful attitude towards reality is similar to Ready Player One, and both books demonstrate that if people are given the ability to create custom avatars, there’s no limit to what they can come up with.
4. We Are Legion (We Are Bob), by Dennis E. Taylor
Dennis E. Taylor’s novel, We Are Legion (We Are Bob), tells the story of software developer Bob Johansson, who is killed in a bus accident. However, his brain is cryogenically preserved and he is later resurrected as an artificial intelligence. Unfortunately, he is under the control of an evil theocracy.
Bob is uploaded into a space probe and given the ability to create duplicates of himself. His mission is to locate and claim habitable worlds, but he faces competition from other resurrected intelligences who are willing to destroy him to achieve their goals.
Although the novel does not deal with a virtual universe, it straddles the line between real and virtual. The tone of the novel is dizzying, with boundless possibilities and real menace. This matches well with the approach of Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One. Readers who enjoyed the limitless world presented in Ready Player One will find much to enjoy in Bob’s new existence.
5. Neuromancer, by William Gibson
William Gibson’s Neuromancer is a classic science fiction novel that is widely regarded as the book that launched the cyberpunk genre. The book introduced many of the conventions that are now associated with modern science fiction, including the concept of a virtual digital world.
The story centers around the character of Henry Case, a former world-class hacker who lost his ability to access the virtual world of a dystopian future when he was punished for stealing from his employer. However, he is given a second chance when he’s recruited by a mysterious benefactor.
Gibson’s vision of a future world where virtual reality is just as important as the physical world is both darker and messier than Ready Player One. The novel portrays a cyberverse that is held together by nests of wires, which is a stark contrast to the candy-coated video game sheen of Cline’s work.
If the concept of entering a virtual world where your power and danger are exponentially greater is what appeals to you about Ready Player One, then Neuromancer is the novel that established this trope in the first place.
6. All Our Wrong Todays, by Elan Mastai
Elan Mastai’s All Our Wrong Todays is a science fiction novel that explores alternate realities triggered by a disastrous decision. The story follows Tom Barren, an untrained and incompetent chrononaut who comes from a utopian 21st century that resembles the world envisioned by sci-fi writers in the mid-20th century. However, an accident with the first working time machine destroys that future, leaving Tom stranded in an alternate reality that he finds horrifying.
The novel’s brilliant premise is that the world we know, the reality in which readers live, is the darkest timeline. Tom’s mission is to restore what he knows to be the “real” reality. While the story does not deal with virtual worlds or secret weapons, the light and fun tone, along with the self-deprecating hero, is perfect for fans of Ernest Cline’s work.
Mastai’s exuberant writing style makes All Our Wrong Todays an enjoyable read. The story is a lot of fun, and the author’s imaginative exploration of alternate realities keeps readers engaged throughout the novel.
7. Otherland, by Tad Williams
Tad Williams’ Otherland is a four-book series that takes place in a future where a virtual world known as the Net is an integral part of everyday life. In this world, people can experience the Net in full immersion through surgical implants.
However, people begin to suffer from a mysterious ailment connected to the implants that leaves them in an unresponsive coma. This ailment is eventually revealed to be the work of a nefarious group that is trapping people in the virtual world in an attempt to take over the real world.
Unlike Ernest Cline’s relatively straightforward universe in Ready Player One, Otherland is sprawling and contains many hidden levels that aren’t always immediately coherent. These books are more challenging and require more effort, but they hit the same sweet spot. In many ways, they hit more deeply because Williams gives more room to roam and linger over the course of four very long books.
The Otherland series is an intricate and complex story that will take readers on an unforgettable journey through a virtual world that is both fascinating and terrifying. With its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and vivid descriptions, Otherland is a must-read for fans of science fiction and virtual reality.
8. Omnitopia Dawn, by Diane Duane
Omnitopia Dawn by Diane Duane is a novel that explores the world of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) and the corporate interests that surround them. The book follows the story of Dev Logan, the creator of Omnitopia Dawn, and his team of developers as they work to release a major upgrade to the game. However, they face fierce competition from rival Phil Sorenson, who seeks to destroy Omnitopia Dawn for his own gain.
The game itself is a major part of the appeal of Omnitopia Dawn. With 200 million players, it offers thousands of microcosms that range from first-person shooters to virtual cooking competitions. The book takes readers on a journey through the vast world of Omnitopia Dawn, revealing the beauty and creativity that can be found within it.
For readers who enjoyed Ready Player One, Omnitopia Dawn is the perfect companion novel. It offers a deeper dive into one aspect of the story and provides a glimpse into the mind of the genius behind the game. The corporate skulduggery that surrounds the game adds an element of suspense and intrigue to the story, making it a thrilling read for fans of science fiction and MMORPGs alike.
9. Ready Player Two, by Ernest Cline
Ready Player Two is the sequel to the highly popular novel Ready Player One. The story picks up where the first book left off, with Wade Watts and his friends in control of OASIS, the virtual reality platform that dominates their world.
The plot centers around Wade’s discovery of a new technology that can record experiences and memories, which leads to a fracture within the group and sets Wade on a new quest within the OASIS world.
As in the original, author Ernest Cline explores the concept of imaginary worlds and their potential importance in our lives. Ready Player Two is a perfect fit for fans of the first book, as it continues to play with the idea that virtual reality can be just as real and important as the physical world.
Cline’s writing style is engaging and immersive, drawing readers into a world where knowledge of pop culture can make you a superstar. Overall, Ready Player Two is a must-read for anyone who enjoyed the first book and is looking for a thrilling new adventure within the OASIS.
10. Genius: The Game, by Leopoldo Gout
Leopoldo Gout’s Genius: The Game is a novel that presents the youth as the world’s best hope, much like Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One. The book follows three friends who participate in a global competition called The Game, run by an 18-year-old genius named Kiran Biswas. The friends, who have only met online, suspect that Biswas is being controlled by corrupt adults who might be using The Game for nefarious purposes.
Gout’s work taps into the next generation’s natural suspicion of legacy platforms and any system controlled by old-school authorities and mandarins. The novel highlights the boundless energy of the youth for defending fair play and rejecting corruption of all kinds. The sense of breathless enthusiasm in the book is reminiscent of Cline’s work.
The book’s characters are presented as intelligent and resourceful, with each possessing a unique skill set that contributes to their success in The Game. The plot is fast-paced and thrilling, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers engaged.
11. Warcross, by Marie Lu
In Marie Lu’s Warcross, the titular game is a global sensation, with its top players becoming celebrities. Emika Chen, a bounty hunter struggling to make ends meet, hacks into a game of Warcross and becomes an overnight sensation. She is subsequently invited to Japan to play on a professional team, where she forms close bonds with her teammates. However, someone is sabotaging the games, and it seems that one of Emika’s new friends might be responsible.
Lu’s novel is aimed at a young adult audience and features intricate worldbuilding and a tense plot that builds momentum as the story progresses. The underdog protagonist, Emika, is a smart and scrappy character whose love and understanding of the virtual world sets her apart from her peers.
This aspect of the story is reminiscent of Ready Player One, another novel that appeals to readers who enjoy stories about underdogs who thrive in virtual worlds.