Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment Launches Today in the Americas on the PlayStation® Vita

SAN JOSE, Calif., (August 19, 2014) – BANDAI NAMCO Games America Inc. today launched Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment on the PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system as a digital exclusive in the Americas. Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment is a Role Playing Game (RPG) based on the novel, manga and anime, Sword Art Online, and reflects the charming characters and breathtaking environments from the virtual reality world called Aincrad. In a simulated Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG) setting, players find that they are captured within the game and must explore and defeat enemies until they reach the highest floors of Aincrad to beat the game and free themselves from the fantasy world.

Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment includes an HD version of the preceding game Sword Art Online: Infinity Moment, so fans have the option to play through Infinity Moment or jump into the new Hollow Fragment adventure to conquer two different sides of Aincrad. In Hollow Fragment, Kirito is suddenly teleported to the new Hollow Area on the 76th Floor and encounters a mysterious player named Philia, who bears a dark past and the telltale orange mark of an unwelcome player killer. With the emergence of fearsomely powerful monsters, the two decide to set aside their differences and join forces to defeat a greater enemy and also face the infamously murderous player killing guild called “Laughing Coffin.”

Players will engage in exhilarating and aggressive battles with flashy and speedy sword skills, robust combos, burst attacks, and active partnering. When battles become more difficult, players can choose to cooperate with up to three other players through online (ad hoc) play in the Hollow Area and create a formidable raid party to take down large groups of enemies and more challenging boss encounters. To further immerse themselves into the Sword Art Online world, players have the ability to enter first-person camera view at any time and observe the battle action and character interactions up close through the eyes of their avatar.

To add on to the launch day excitement, a DLC Costume Pack is available to download for free starting today through November 18th. Fans can also look forward to the major update scheduled for September 23rd that will provide even more content in the wondrously enchanting and gripping world of Sword Art Online.

Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment is rated “T” for Teen and is available in the Americas exclusively for the PlayStation®Vita as a digital download on the PlayStation®Network for $39.99. For more information on BANDAI NAMCO Games America Inc.'s game titles and products, please visit http://bandainamcogames.com or join the conversation at www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoUS.

About BANDAI NAMCO Games America Inc.
BANDAI NAMCO Games America Inc., part of BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc., is a leading global publisher and developer of interactive content — including all major video game consoles, iOS, mobile and online. The company is known for creating and publishing many of the industry's top video game franchises, including PAC-MAN®, TEKKEN®, SOULCALIBUR®, NARUTO™, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN™, Dragon Ball®, GALAGA®, RIDGE RACER® and ACE COMBAT®. More information about the company and its products can be found at http://www.bandainamcogames.com or www.facebook.com/namco

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Press Release © 2014 BANDAI NAMCO Games America Inc.