Starting yesterday, a lucky group of Sword Art Online fans was selected to take part in a virtual reality (VR) test organized by IBM. Held in a secret location in Tokyo, they were able to enter the world of Sword Art Online using NERvGear. Just kidding, the devices are actually Oculus Rift devices. Just a note, this is not a “dive” as shown in the anime series, but the experience is close as it gets for now.
There were apparently some restrictions, as only 4 players were allowed into the game at the same time. Just like Kirito, they start off at the Town of Beginnings. There are AI NPCs around to guide the adventurers and explain various functions. Cor black bread was even available for purchase! There are several different weapon types ready to be selected, including the common axes and swords.
For combat, players are teleported to the 74th floor to face off with the iconic boss, The Gleam Eyes. Players have to raise their arms (to raise their weapons) in order to block attacks, and also able to activate Kirito’s Dual Blades style when requirements are met, including the skills. The experience lasts 20 minutes, and note that currently, there are no plans to make this into a full-fledge VR game.
