IBM Japan announces Sword Art Online virtual reality project
IBM Japan Announces Sword Art Online-Inspired Virtual Reality MMO Project
IBM announced today something rather interesting: Sword Art Online The Beginning Project, a “virtual MMO project” in collaboration with Kadokawa, Bandai Namco, Apniplex and more, inspired by the popular anime series.
Not much is known at the moment, besides the fact that the project uses IBM’s cloud computing tech SoftLayer, and aims to explore the idea of using cognitive computing (the simulation of human thought processes in a computerized model) for the future of gaming.
Apparently, the prototype utilizes body motions to control movement in game. The protagonists of the anime Kirito and Asuna are also involved in some form, retaining their original voice actors.
The project, that has a teaser website and a trailer that you can see below, is recruiting 208 alpha tester in the Tokyo metropolitan area for a test to be held between March 18th and March 20th.
《刀剑神域》将与日本 IBM 展开合作 将「那款」VRMMO 藉由 IBM 技术实现
日本 IBM 今(22)日于 Twitter 上,释出了他们将与《刀剑神域》合作,将「那款」VRMMO 藉由 IBM 技术实现,并且释出了主视觉图以及详细情报将于明日上午 10:00(日本时间)公开的消息。
《刀剑神域》是由作者 川原 砾撰写、绘者 abec 绘制的轻小说作品,故事以虚拟现实次世代在线游戏(VRMMO)「Sword Art Online 刀剑神域〈SAO〉」为主题,描述桐人等人藉由「NERvGear」进入游戏世界后,却因为游戏设计者「茅场晶彦」的因素,导致一行人必须得打倒位于最上层 BOSS 才得以注销游戏的物语...
近年来由于 VR 以及 AR 装置的发展,过去在小说中看见藉由各式装置让人可以更深度体验游戏的方式已有机会实现,这次日本 IBM 宣布,将与《刀剑神域》合作,重现那款 VRMMO 游戏,虽然官方对此尚未释出更多的详细情报。 但由计划名称「SWORD ART ONLINE THE BEGINNING PROJECT」或许可见两方合作的目的。
根据官网表示,企划预定将于 3 月 18 至 20 日间进行 Alpha 测试,并且招募 208 人于东京都内某地进行测试。 参加企划的人,将可以藉由扫描将自己以 3D 虚拟造型进入世界中,并且藉由 IBM 的云端服务「SoftLayer」体验作品世界。
PlayStation’s European boss Jim Ryan has said he is “extremely comfortable” with PlayStation VR’s $399 selling price and that pre-orders of the headset have exceeded Sony’s initial expectations.
PS欧洲boss Jim Ryan对媒体声称他非常满意PSVR399刀的售价,头戴的预定量已经大幅超出索尼的预期
Asked by MCV if Sony will be able to meet day-one demand given the seemingly strong appetite for virtual reality, Ryan said, “It’s hard to tell. The news on preorders is extremely encouraging, but I’d be very wary about extrapolating how we’ll do through to launch based on less than 24 hours. I would say that the early pre-orders have surpassed our initial expectations.
PlayStation VR is set to launch this October and Sony confirmed last week that there are currently 230 developers working on projects for the headset. Every PSVR sold will make a profit and the company is expected to sell eight million headsets by October 2018.
日前由 川原砾撰写、绘者 abec 绘制的轻小说作品《刀剑神域》与日本 IBM 合作,展开的「刀剑神域 The Beginning」企划,Alpha 测试已于 3 月底正式结束。 而日本 IBM 官方在上周释出介绍影片,针对这次展开的企划进行了简单的介绍。
「刀剑神域 The Beginning」企划,主要是以 IBM 的云端服务「SoftLayer」为核心展开。 在日前的 Alpha 测试中,玩家将可进入游戏体验一段约 20 分钟长度的游戏内容。 这次企划是 IBM 为了宣传企业本身、并且探究科技对于未来的可能性所展开。 因此,他们藉由在《刀剑神域》原作中, 2022 年发售的 VRMMORPG「Sword Art Online」配合自家技术展开企画。
同时官方也公布一项数据指出当「刀剑神域 The Beginning」企划公开后,企划官网总计获得了 280 万次以上的点阅数、Alpha 测试募集到约 10 万人参与抽选,而官方所释出的宣传影片点击次数也达到了 180 万次以上的播放次数。
这次释出的影片中,也可让没机会前往日本体验的玩家,一窥体验的内容。 对于这次「刀剑神域 The Beginning」企划有兴趣的人,可点击下方影片欣赏。