You’ll be hard-pressed to find a world you want to step into more than “Ready Player One” and for one night in LA I did.
Steven Spielberg is known for bringing larger than life worlds to reality and “Ready Player One” is no different. Inspired by Ernest Cline’s best selling book, the audience is pulled into the life of teenager Wade Watts (Tye Sherdian) and his pixelated escape, OASIS, an immersive virtual universe. The story begins in 2045 where most of humanity has been consumed by this game and are all vying to win a three-part contest set in place by the equally genius and eccentric creator, James Halliday (Mark Rylance), following his death. The ultimate prize? Halliday’s fortune and autocratic control over OASIS.
Thanks to the brilliant minds at Warner Brothers I got the chance to search for the keys through the scenes of “Ready Player One” myself. The corner of Hollywood and Vine was transformed into Columbus, Ohio in the best possible way. Entering through Wade Watt’s home, “the stacks”, my team and I were let loose into a mystical fun house to find the three keys and gain access to the prize egg that was promised to us. From a trailer, to a disco, to an old-school arcade, both the details and photo ops were endless. After successfully finding all three keys (not to brag, but I did have the quickest time of the night) we were given access to the treasure room complete with props used in the film.
After the hunt, however, the night was far from over. Visitors had their choice of several signature drinks as well as appetizers to dinner covered. Once they had their fill there were plenty more props to enjoy including Watt’s DeLorean and Warner Brother’s complete line of “Ready Player One” merchandise. Enjoying both my challenge victory and hot chocolate atop the stack’s sky bleachers was the perfect ending.
If you’re looking for another perfect ending be sure to catch “Ready Player One” hitting theatres nationwide March 29!
Nicolette Acosta is a New York to Los Angeles based journalist and actress. Keep up with her bicoastal adventures such as this one on Instagram: @nicolettepilar
