Shawn Spencer

Ms. McKay

IB English

2 February 2022

The Technology of Ready Player One

As technology is represented in Ready Player One, by Stephen Speilberg, it is all very

advanced despite the apocalyptic settings. Though city infrastructure is underdeveloped, digital

and electronic appliances are very advanced. Technologies that are absent today, such as

pentadactyl VR gloves, an ‘omni-directional’ treadmill, and what seems to be autonomous

drones are seen in the sci-fi movie, all of which can be noticed as speilberg’s attempt to resemble

the future.

The setting of Wade Watts’ town resembles a post apocalyptic world being brought back

to very basic living standards. He explains that, because of this demoralizing setting, apparently

all over the world, everyone has flocked to the Oasis for relief. But to live in a virtual world

would require the proper tools to stimulate a sense of reality. Such tools, as represented in the

movie, require at the least some form of glove to articulate hand movements. More complex

attire include suits that allow the user to feel over their entire body, which also allows more

accurate body movement within the virtual world. Technology like this doesn't exist not only

because there isn’t a dire need for them, but also because they would be very complex and

expensive. Several sensors would need to be applied to literally sense the movements of the user,

and likewise hardware to allow the sensors to work. The suit would have the same problems,

especially how slim it is in the movie. The fashionable size of these are clearly unrealistic, but

they make for a better movie.

 The treadmill is possibly one of the more popular ideas of the movie among its

supporters. It allows the user to run in any direction within the virtual world. “Infinadeck fully

realizes the virtual reality experience by allowing users to naturally walk in any direction,

allowing true and full immersion within the VR environment.”(Burger, 2013). The idea of it is

still very complex and expensive, with several parts being required and sensors to detect the

distance, speed, and velocity change, and on top of it all render these into the game. Although

not impossible, examples of it have been completed before and are up for sale, like the

Infinadeck, but the downside comes from cost. The infinadeck goes for $40,000. If virtual reality

was the only living standard, perhaps it would be a worthy investment. However, today's people

are not so desperate. A part of the treadmill which could be overlooked by many is an external

support arm, similar to a spine. In the IOI’s War Room (the IOI is the main antagonist company

in Ready Player One) there are several identical pods for its members to use. A vest is held up by

such an arm, which could help the user to remain in the small area but could also be for jumping.

Another intriguing part of the movie’s technology is the IOI’s use of drones. In the movie

they are seen in packs and generally unmanned. There is also no evidence that they are being

flown by a remote pilot, suggesting that they have an autonomous AI. That alone is incredible,

but they do much more. Recognizing patterns, like graffiti or a tattoo, is also part of their system.

Anyone who has been a computer programer understands how daunting this would be to code,

especially when on a 3D surface like the human body. However the tricks don't end with fancy

cameras. The drones are also seen with an arm to place and pick up different objects. They are

explicitly seen placing bombs –as all evil robots must do– to demolish Wade’s home.

Although much of the focus in Ready Player One is about digital and virtual livelihood,

and though everything spectacular in the movie is not physical, the neglected yet incredible
technology in the real world is not to be forgotten. They are complex and simply wonders of a

technological age. As Stephen Speilberg represents them, they are not only amazing but also

fashionable with their slim design, and modern colors.

 Works Cited

Burger, george. “The Only True Omnidirectional Treadmill: VR Treadmill.” Infinadeck, 25 Jan.
2022, https://www.infinadeck.com/.

Spielberg, Steven, et al. Ready Player One. Ready Player One, Crown Publishing Group, 16
Aug. 2011, Accessed 26 Feb. 2022.