News
IBM Japan Reveals Sword Art Online Virtual Reality MMO Project (Updated)
posted on by Karen Ressler
IBM Japan opened a website for a virtual reality demonstration based on the Sword Art Online franchise on Monday. The company refers to the project as a "virtual reality massive multiplayer online game (VRMMO)" though does not lay out any plans to continue the project past the initial test.
The company began taking preregistration for an alpha test, "Sword Art Online: The Beginning Sponsored by IBM." The test willl take place in Tokyo from March 18-20. Applications will be accepted until March 4 and 208 applicants will be chosen.
The website reveals that the completed prototype utilizes IBM's cognitive computing system "IBM Watson" and its high-speed cloud service "SoftLayer." Participants in the alpha test will be able to enter a virtual reality space and interact with other participants using a scanned 3D model avatar.
Update: The website does not specify that the alpha test will be the the precursor to a larger VRMMO project, or if the "VRMMO" is within the demonstration. Thanks, iggymcb and Saffire.
Thanks to zayd gh for the news tip.
this article has been modified since it was originally posted; see change history