I really liked the first book due to all the nerdy references and the ending utilizing Monty Python’s Holy Grail. Even when his friend was revealed to be a black lesbian due because it was better to present herself as a white male I just rolled my eyes. The second book on the other hand was garbage. You get the whole women in gaming lecture, the real hero was a woman trope, lgbt stuff of course, and the aforementioned character whining about the lack of representation everywhere they go or whining about the fact that Prince (they visit an area of the Oasis with Prince playing concerts) became a Jehova’s Witness and condemned homosexuality. The book overall seems to use to Sword Art Online plot as well.
It’s like the author felt the need to apologize. Although the the woke crowd a white make nerd from the 80s is evil incarnate it seems
They got away with it the first time, why try your luck a second time?
Feels like while the first book got away with being niche, the film got away with not just nostalgia baiting and visual effects but also because everyone could imagine the main bad as EA when they were hated the most.
This feels like it'll flop as there isn't the same connection, most gamers have abandoned the big studios, most people are becoming VERY aware of SBI and companies like it and people really dislike the Mary Sue trope.
I don't think you understand how desperate stupid money is to get a worthwhile investment. They'll dump millions into anything that has made any profit. Especially in today's Hollywood.