is a 2011 science fiction novel. The story is set in a dystopian 2045, an impoverished population ignore their sorry existence in stacks of grounded mobile homes through living in the virtual reality of the OASIS, a computer game simulating a universe where the most successful players get to be warrior-mages, semi-gods owning whole planets. Death is the loss of an avatar and rebirth as another who begins anew chasing illusory power and wealth. On this premise the author superimposes a contest for real wealth and power as the idolized game creator, now dead, has left in his will not only his fortune but the whole fake universe to the winner who takes it all.

Ernest Christy Cline (born March 29, 1972) is an American novelist, slam poet, and screenwriter. He is known for his novels Ready Player One and Armada; he also co-wrote the screenplay for the film adaptation of Ready Player One, directed by Steven Spielberg.