These easter eggs also help to build the world of the story. By including references to existing pop culture elements, the author is able to flesh out the virtual world of the OASIS in a more detailed and believable way. It's like using pieces of our known cultural landscape to construct a new, exciting world within the pages of the novel. This makes the reading experience more immersive as we can better visualize the settings and scenarios described.
The easter eggs create a connection with the reader. If you're familiar with the 80s pop culture, video games, or movies that are referenced, it makes you feel more involved in the story. It's as if the author is sharing an inside joke with you. For example, when you recognize a character from an old arcade game, it gives you a little thrill and makes you more engaged with the plot.