The Game is the most important symbol in the novel. It represents the existential quest to find meaning in life. The teens initially seek out The Game because they hear it is a mysterious event that only some unemployed people are invited to join. Its exclusivity appeals to the teens. Wanting to find out more information about The Game becomes a goal for the teens, who are looking for some sort of purpose or structure in their life. The Game serves as both an escapist fantasy and as a testing ground for the teens to practice their skills. In The Game, they forget their low social status and dreary living conditions, focusing instead on exploring the landscape of the virtual simulation for clues. The teens become so invested in The Game that they start to treat it as almost a religion, orienting their life around it. Furthermore, they debate its purpose and to what extent it is real, and their discussions are similar to theological arguments.

The Game Manager compares The Game to video games of the 20th century, suggesting that it also serves as a commentary on the utility of video games. While some characters, like

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