Hello everyone, this is Mogami from Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. We have recently released various pieces of information, and there are more things we can share with you now, so I would like to comment on a few topics.

Regarding the Open Network Test

We have announced the decision to hold an Open Network Test (ONT) together with the implementation schedule. During the Closed Beta Test (CBT), the application process was so popular that it became a lottery system, and many people who wanted to play were unable to do so. Therefore, since the CBT, we have been considering providing an opportunity for people to try the game before its official release. We had several options, but considering the development schedule of the base game, we decided to conduct the ONT just before the release.

Additionally, in the CBT player’s survey, we received feedback requesting that data to be transferable to the base game. In the CBT, the item drop rates and other factors were designed differently from the base game, making it difficult to implement data transfer from a fairness perspective. However, for this ONT, we have implemented a new specification that allows the transfer of “weapons and accessories.” It is designed to allow “carryover to the base game,” so it is possible to carry them over from the early access phase. If you want to get a head start, we encourage you to join from the ONT.”

Please note that data transfer to the base game will be performed using the “ONT saved data,” so please be careful not to delete it.

Revealing the playable characters of the base game

All 21 playable characters in the base game have been revealed. Along with this, the main key visual of the game has also been updated.

The illustration for the physical edition of the game will be the main key visual drawn by abec-sensei, so please take a good look at it if you purchase the physical edition.

About 1 month to launch

The release date for this game is finally approaching.

Once again, we have just confirmed the schedule for the game’s events before and after the launch, which is as follows:

• September 20-22:      ONT
• September 26-29:      Tokyo Game Show 2024 – Exhibition demo booth
• From September 30:  Early Access Begins (*October 1 for the STEAM® edition)
• October 3:                  Release (*October 4 for the STEAM® edition)

Although there are some further details that we have not been able to share with you yet, 
our team is diligently preparing to ensure that everyone can enjoy the various developments. Please stay tuned for more details as they become available.

Shohei Mogami
Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.
Producer of SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream

Hello everyone, this is Goto from Dimps Corporation. I am the Director in charge of the game’s development.

I hope you’re all staying safe during these hot summer days. 
Everyone at the Development Team has been working hard in this project. Fortunately, the air conditioner at the office has helped us stay fresh as we work our way through the summer and prepare to welcome the Autumn.

We are currently working on the final tests and quality improvements to get ready for the game’s release. The development for the ONT version, and the DLCs is being done side-by-side as I write this.

The game’s 21 playable characters have been already revealed. We have been paying special attention throughout the development to make sure that the fighting style and playing style of each character feels different. As a result, there characters that excel at close range combat like Kirito, but there are also others like Sinon, who are better for long range attacks. Besides melee and shooting action, there are also other characters who can use magic, fly, perform double-jumps or transform. Other characters also have unique gauges and game mechanics, making their movements and skills stand apart from the others. And of course, Oberon’s movements also remain as comical as ever.

Some characters can be used to provide support by healing and buffing allies, such as Leafa and Yuna, while others can nullify status effects and debuff enemies, such as Eugeo and Oberon. You can also use characters who specialize in aiming mechanics such as Sinon and Death Gun to snipe away at enemies. Players who prefer to use characters with simple controls and satisfying shooting mechanics also have some choices like LLENN and Fukaziroh. We would like to invite players to try out all the characters and find their favorite characters and playstyles. Other players might choose the same character as you when playing Online Co-Op, so we recommend practicing with at least 4 different characters.

The characters will have different dialogues between them in battle and at the base, so we would like players to enjoy discovering all of them. For example, Oberon, Administrator, Fukaziroh and Klein have many interesting dialogues.

Another point where we put special effort was of course the Online Co-Op.
We are preparing various Co-Op modes, such as Boss Raid, where 20 players fight together against powerful bosses, Co-Op Quests based on map exploration, where there will be only 4 players at the beginning and other players will gradually join in, and Free Quest, where you can choose to play either alone or Co-Op and leave at any time.

Boss Raid will be based around many gimmicks and parts destruction. There will be a total of 20 players, so it will be easier to get revived by others. However, we would like players to try to complete these challenges without dying once. Once you get enough practice, you can aim to become the MVP in your party.

We carried out various tests to try out the Co-Op modes. At first, we started with 20 players exploring in any way they liked, which led to a shallow Co-Op experience. After several tries, we noticed that 4-player parties felt more balanced, and decided to make it so that more allies start joining the team little by little. Having multiple starting points also makes it easier to have a different experience, even after repeated plays.

Free Quest is different from Boss Raid and Co-Op, making it optional to play with others in Co-Op. I think that Free Quest can also serve as a starting point for those players who haven’t played much online before.

This game can be played with up to 20 Players online, so we have prepared dedicated servers.

Crossplay will also be supported, so even though it took a lot of effort, but we wanted players to be able to enjoy the world of SAO without having to worry about platform boundaries.

This game also has some unique Co-Op mechanics. They are called “Switch Chains” and “Synchro Counters”. Switch Chains allow up to 20 players to switch continuously. The greater the number of successful attacks, the longer time it will take the enemy to get back up. However, it was difficult to perform 20-player chains even among developers, so trying this out with players you encounter for the first time will be both fun and challenging.

Synchro Counters are a Co-Op element designed to defend from the boss characters’ strongest techniques, in which it will be necessary to move inside the displayed circle. Sometimes only specific-role characters will be able to enter, so it might be difficult to pull it off on the first try. We believe that users who are already used to this mechanic will be able to use it as a chance to inflict heavy damage on the bosses. Our impression was that more users were able to perform these counters as time passed by, even during the CBT.

As we worked on the development of this new SAO game, we did so under the premise of ”creating a game that allows players to rediscover the appeal of SAO’s world”. The original characters, “Fuuka” and “Neige”, as well as the original interweaving stories of the 21 characters and the uses for each one of these characters are a must-see for all the fans.

I believe that the unique conversations between characters such as Klein and Administrator, Alice and Oberon, Yuuki and Death Gun, Kirito and LLENN or Sinon and Fukaziroh are part of the fun in this title.

Including enemies and maps from SAO, ALO, GGO, OS, UW and others into a single title is
also another unique feature of this game.

We have already implemented many bug fixes and improvements based on your feedback from the CBT. However, we will continue to improve the game’s quality based on your comments from the upcoming Open Network Test. If possible, we would like to add more characters as well, so please stay tuned.

Shuichi Goto
Dimps Corporation
Director of SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream