Cracking the Code on Easter Eggs

You’ve probably come across the term “easter egg” before—and no, not in the literal sense. In terms of films, books, television, even in music and video games, an easter egg is a secret that is hidden within a piece of media. Sometimes, the creator encourages the audience to hunt for easter eggs; other times, it’s like a little treat for you to stumble on your own. Recently though, there’s been a bit of confusion as to what an easter egg actually is. Let’s dive right in, shall we?

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Hatching the First Easter Egg

When we talk about easter eggs in the media, a few things come to mind: Stan Lee’s cameos in the Marvel films or hidden levels in video games. In fact, the earliest easter eggs came in the form of code. The first credited easter egg were the words “Created by Warren Robinett” in the 1979 video game Adventure for the Atari 2600 console. To find it, a player needs to move their avatar over a specific pixel somewhere in the game. Initially, Atari had planned on removing the easter egg but left it in after realizing that it would cost them too much to take it out. 

Another popular video game easter egg is what is commonly known as the Konami Code. A series of buttons unlocked secret modes or extra lives. This happened when Nintendo attempted to convert the arcade game Gadius for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Instead of reversing the code, which might cause errors or bugs, they kept it in. 

In film, however, it is said to have come from the 1975 film, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The cast hosted an easter egg hunt during filming, and three eggs appeared in the film by accident. Way before that, Alfred Hitchcock made appearances in 39 of his films, starting with The Lodger in 1927. 

Easter Eggs vs. References

Easter eggs are hidden messages, inside jokes, or secret features hidden within a piece of media. It is something that a viewer works to uncover. For example, visitors are encouraged to look for Hidden Mickeys all over the various Disney parks across the world. Fans of the popular simulation game The Sims have been piecing together the story of a townie named Bella Goth, who seems to appear in different life stages across the different versions of the game. 

That being said, something that references or pays homage to a different or previous iteration of media is just that, a reference. The appearances of three Spider-Man actors in 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home? Not an easter egg. The film Ready Player One references plenty of pop culture phenomena from the ’80s, but those are not easter eggs. 

What Are Easter Eggs for, Exactly?

Today, easter eggs are used to encourage engagement from fans and consumers. Remember the easter egg in Adventure? Aside from the cost, there was another reason it was kept in the game. Steve Wright, Atari’s then-director of Software Development, later encouraged the inclusion of messages in future games for players to find. Thus, the concept of easter eggs in games was born.

When utilized effectively, creators can use easter eggs to build a community with their audience. One of the most prominent examples of this is Taylor Swift using easter eggs as a way to tease upcoming music, news, and even merch drops. What started out as hidden messages in her social media posts evolved into a treasured pastime by the fandom. 

Some easter eggs are never confirmed, while others can pay off pretty quickly. An episode of the 2010s sitcom How I Met Your Mother makes use of a countdown hidden within the episode to lead up to a major event.

Fans of long-running franchises such as Star Wars, Doctor Who, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe know to keep their eyes peeled for easter eggs in films or episodes. Entire discussions are had over these clues. Sometimes, the creators themselves confirm the easter egg and those can be huge days for the fandom. This creates bonds within fandoms and attachments to the piece of work.

Happy Hunting!

What started out as a happy accident in a video game has now spanned into a long-standing tradition that goes beyond its origins. If you think you spotted an easter egg, don’t be afraid to go online and share it! Perhaps someone else has already noticed it—or even better, bask in the glory of being the first to find the egg in your favorite piece of media.

If you’re drafting a story and are interested in the idea of incorporating easter eggs into your work, it might be a good idea to have it looked over by professional proofreaders. The Manuscript Editor can help you there! Send your manuscript to themanuscripteditor.com for a complimentary 800-word editing sample. Let our editors help you bring your book to life!