However, their success comes at a price. Sam and Sadie face various challenges and conflicts in their personal and professional lives, such as:
- The pressure of meeting deadlines, expectations, and demands from publishers, fans, critics, and competitors
- The ethical dilemmas of creating violent or controversial games that may have negative effects on society or individuals
- The legal disputes over intellectual property rights, contracts, royalties, and plagiarism
- The emotional turmoil of dealing with fame, fortune, jealousy, betrayal, addiction, depression, and loss
Throughout their journey, Sam and Sadie also struggle with their feelings for each other, which are complicated by their different personalities, goals, and values. Sam is a visionary and a perfectionist, who is obsessed with creating the ultimate game that can transcend reality and offer infinite possibilities.
Sadie is a pragmatist and a realist, who is more interested in creating games that can connect people and offer meaningful experiences. They love each other, but they also hurt each other, sometimes intentionally, sometimes unintentionally.
The novel ends with a dramatic and tragic climax that tests the limits of their friendship, their love, and their games.
Plot Summary
The novel is divided into four parts, each corresponding to a different stage of Sam and Sadie’s lives and careers.
Part One: Ichigo (1998-2000)
This part covers the events from Sam and Sadie’s reunion at the train station to the release of their first game, Ichigo. It also introduces some of the main characters and themes of the novel, such as:
- Sam’s disability: Sam has a limp due to his injured foot, which affects his self-esteem and his relationship with others. He also suffers from phantom pain, which he tries to cope with by playing or making video games.
- Sadie’s family: Sadie has a sister named Sophie, who has cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that affects the lungs. Sadie loves her sister dearly, but she also feels guilty for being healthy and successful. She also has a strained relationship with her parents, who are divorced and have different views on Sophie’s treatment.
- The game industry: Sam and Sadie enter the game industry at a time when it is undergoing rapid changes and innovations, such as the rise of 3D graphics, online gaming, and independent development. They also encounter various challenges and opportunities in the industry, such as working with publishers, hiring employees, dealing with critics, and competing with other developers.
Part Two: Kingston (2001-2005)
This part covers the events from the development of their second game, Kingston, to the aftermath of its release. It also explores some of the darker aspects of their success and their games, such as:
- Violence: Kingston is a violent game that depicts graphic scenes of bloodshed and gore. Sam and Sadie have different opinions on the role and impact of violence in video games. Sam believes that violence is a necessary and artistic expression of human nature, while Sadie believes that violence is a harmful and irresponsible exploitation of human emotions.
- Ethics: Kingston also raises ethical questions about the use of genetic engineering and animal rights. Sam and Sadie have to deal with the consequences of their game on society and themselves. They face protests from animal rights activists, lawsuits from biotechnology companies, and threats from extremists.
- Addiction: Kingston is also an addictive game that consumes the lives of many players, including Sam himself. Sam becomes obsessed with playing and improving his game, neglecting his health, his work, and his relationship with Sadie. He also develops a drug habit that worsens his condition.
Part Three: EmilyBlaster (2006-2010)
This part covers the events from the development of their third game, EmilyBlaster, to the breakdown of their partnership. It also reveals some of the secrets and lies that have been hidden or ignored by them, such as:
- Betrayal: EmilyBlaster is a game that is based on a secret project that Sadie has been working on without Sam’s knowledge or consent. Sadie has been collaborating with another developer named Alex Lee, who is also her lover. She has been using Sam’s ideas and code to create her own game, which she plans to release under her own name.
- Plagiarism: EmilyBlaster is also a game that is accused of plagiarism by another developer named Max Cohen, who claims that he has created a similar game called TimeBomb before them. He sues them for stealing his intellectual property rights and demands compensation.
- Loss: EmilyBlaster is also a game that is dedicated to Sophie, who dies from complications of cystic fibrosis before the game is finished. Sadie is devastated by her sister’s death and blames herself for not spending more time with her. She also blames Sam for not being supportive or understanding.
Part Four: TomorrowX3 (2011-2028)
This part covers the events from the launch of their fourth game, TomorrowX3, to the end of their lives. It also shows how their games have changed them and the world around them, such as:
- Identity: TomorrowX3 is a game that allows players to create their own avatars and explore a virtual world that is constantly changing. Sam and Sadie use this game to escape from their reality and reinvent themselves. They create new identities that are different from their real selves.
- Connection: TomorrowX3 is also a game that connects millions of players around the world. Sam and Sadie use this game to reconnect with each other after years of separation and estrangement. They find an intimacy in digital worlds that eludes them in their real lives. They also meet other players who become their friends, enemies, or lovers.
- Reality: TomorrowX3 is also a game that affects the real world in various ways. Sam and Sadie use this game to influence and change the world according to their vision. They also face the consequences of their actions on the world and themselves. They encounter new challenges and dangers, such as:
- Hacking: TomorrowX3 is a game that is vulnerable to hacking and cyberattacks. Sam and Sadie have to deal with hackers who try to sabotage, steal, or destroy their game. They also have to deal with the ethical and legal implications of hacking other systems or people.
- Death: TomorrowX3 is also a game that can cause death. Sam and Sadie have to deal with the possibility of dying in the game or in real life. They also have to deal with the grief and guilt of losing or killing others.
The novel ends with a dramatic and tragic climax that tests the limits of their friendship, their love, and their games.
