IGN Exclusive: Sword Art Online: A Game To “Dive” For
By Claire Kenzie
October 27, 2024
The gaming world is burning with anticipation for Sword Art Online (SAO), an ambitious VR game developed by indie creator Kayaba Akihiko. Made with Full-Dive VR capabilities, SAO has been touted as a groundbreaking step forward—not just for gaming, but for technology itself. Many are already calling it the most anticipated VR release of the decade.
Testers from the recent closed beta have been floored by its hyper-realism. "It’s unsettling how real it feels," one beta tester told IGN. "It's scary at first, since turning on the helmet makes you black out, but then you wake up in-game, and it's like you're actually there. It's crazy! You can taste food, feel the weight of your sword—and getting hurt really hurts!"
But behind all the hype, questions are brewing. SAO's hardware, the NerveGear headset, was reportedly developed by Kayaba alone—without corporate backing, and without partnerships with VR giants like Meta or Sony. How did one man, working independently, create technology that seems light-years ahead of the rest of the industry? No one knows—and Kayaba himself remains evasive on the subject, fueling speculation that he considers himself as more than ‘just a developer’, but also the man who–
–Thinks He’s God: Inside the Mind of Sword Art Online’s Eccentric Creator, Kayaba Akihiko
By Jonathan Tate
October 31, 2024
Tokyo, Japan — With the official release of SAO just a week away, Kayaba is being hailed by his fans as a "visionary" and a "genius". But to those who know him personally—or who have scrutinized his work—he is anything but a hero.
Just two years ago, Kayaba Akihiko, 28, was the CTO of Argus, a Japanese VR tech company. Why would he abruptly quit his high-paying corporate job, give up a healthy research budget, and cut ties with nearly everyone he knew?
“He’s always refused to listen to anyone but himself," says a former colleague who asked to remain anonymous. "He’d ignore protocols and throw tantrums if his vision was challenged. The word is, the board forced him out, and we weren’t sorry to see him go."
Kayaba’s obsession with creating a fully immersive virtual reality game is perhaps less of a passion and more of a compulsion. His former bosses implied as much, in an interview–
–With Kayaba Akihiko
By Rachel Donovan
November 3, 2024
(KOTAKU) We caught up with the enigmatic game developer, Kayaba Akihiko, for a rare interview. The developer has largely stayed out of the spotlight since the beta test of his VR game went viral two months ago. But this close to the release date of Sword Art: Online, we wanted to find out from the man himself—what makes him tick?
Kotaku: Congratulations on passing 1.5 million NerveGear sales! When you received the news, were you excited? Or nervous?
Kayaba Akihiko (K): When I saw the numbers, I felt... thankful, that so many people would put their trust in me (laughs). Well, I certainly intend to live up to it. I promise this—Sword Art: Online will be an experience that the world will never forget.
Kotaku: Absolutely. Sword Art: Online is an ambitious game, and your Full-Dive VR tech is cutting-edge as well. How did you manage to create all this by yourself?
K: It wasn't anything special on my part. All I did was put my mind into it! Anyone else could do the same, if they really tried.
Kotaku: Can you tell us why you left Argus Corporation to work independently? Why go solo on such an ambitious project?
K: I left because Argus had… limits. Let's put it this way—I needed freedom to create what I truly envisioned. And wherever I reached for possibility, they flinched from the uncertainty. They were just afraid of the future. In the end, I realized that if I wanted to create something new, then I would have to leave. The Argus leadership simply could not say–
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–that you’re a huge inspiration to me.
Mr Kayaba, do you ever get days where it just feels impossible? I'm 22 this year, and I'm trying to make my own MMO too. (I'm currently struggling with the back-end, especially the netcode...) Some days, I feel like I'm wasting my life, and that perhaps I should go get a 'real' job instead. My parents would stop nagging and I'd be able to move out on my own, too. All I'd need to do is give up on my game, my dream.
But every time I read your blog, or see your name in the news, it gives me this feeling of hope, you know? You managed to succeed, even on your own, so maybe if I just work a little harder, if I just keep trying for a little while longer, then maybe, someday, I could do it too.
Anyway, thank you for showing everyone what a solo developer can do.
Hope everything goes well for the launch. Can’t wait to log in and experience it myself!
Cheers from Houston, TX,
Dante (and Cookie)
Your #1 and #2 fans
P.S. Don’t listen to the haters! Believe in yourself, you’re a–
–Delusional Developer or Cult Leader in Disguise?
By Emma Kara
Tokyo Weekly Tribune, November 5, 2024
Tokyo, Japan — With the highly anticipated launch of Sword Art Online (SAO) happening tomorrow, the gaming community is abuzz with excitement, along with something more troubling. In recent blog posts, Kayaba has been sounding virtually unhinged—describing Aincrad, the game’s world, as a “mirror of the real world”, and hinting that players will “find a piece of themselves” within it. It’s the kind of language that sounds less like marketing and more like a manifesto, as if his goal is to lead impressionable youth down a poorly-disguised rabbit hole towards some pretentious truth.
Meanwhile, his fanbase has obligingly adopted a cult-like loyalty to Kayaba. On social media, they praise him as a liberator, a lone rebel amidst conglomerate corporations—clearly believing his obvious lies about being a solo developer. On dedicated SAO forums, fans speak of the game with almost religious reverence, as if Aincrad were the Garden of Eden and Kayaba had personally thrown wide its gates. Some claim Kayaba will “usher in a new world,” while others say they’re already preparing to enter–
–Aincrad! (Launch Day Special Event)
By Kayaba Akihiko
November 6, 2024
Today’s the day! Sword Art Online launches at 7:00 PM.
To mark the full release, the game will be receiving a major update from the beta test build! Highlights include: a 1,000x larger map (for the 1,000x more players), new monster varieties, new weapons, items, and so on. (For more details, see the patch notes.)
In addition, an exclusive, one-time launch event will take place exactly one hour after the server goes live, at 8:00 PM.
I will personally be making a special in-game appearance to welcome players to Aincrad, share my vision for the game, and reveal an exciting surprise. I hope to see you there! Everyone is invited, and I promise it’ll be a–
–Blast in San Francisco, CA
Date: November 6, 2024
Time: 8:07 PM
Operator: 911, what’s the situation?
Caller: There’s a fire at my neighbor’s house.
Operator: Can you tell me the address?
Caller: Uh… [Redacted].
Operator: Do you know what caused the fire?
Caller: I’m not sure. I just heard a loud bang, like, an explosion or something. A bit later I looked and saw the smoke and the fire.
Operator: How many people live there?
Caller: Just my neighbor. He lives alone.
Operator: Is he home?
Caller: I don’t know. Uh, I see his car’s out front.
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
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911 Report: Explosion in Houston, TX
Date: November 5, 2024
Time: 8:12 PM
Operator: 911, what’s your emergency?
Caller: (dog barking frantically) My husband! My son—oh god, please help us!
Operator: Ma’am, I need you to stay calm. Can you give me your location?
Caller: [Redacted], please hurry!
Operator: Help is on the way, ma'am. Can you tell me what happened?
Caller: My son, he was playing that new game, the VR one with the helmet, and he wouldn’t wake up, my husband went over to [unintelligible] then it just suddenly exploded! (crying) And he was burning all over, and his head—I, I can't—
Operator: Ma’am, emergency services are on the way. Stay on the line, okay?
Caller: (crying) I just wanted Dante to get up for supper. Oh god…
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Breaking News: VR Game Sword Art Online Linked to Fatal Explosions
Channel 9 — A horrific crisis is sweeping across the country as reports of deadly explosions linked to the NerveGear helmet flood emergency lines. The device, used for today’s launch of the VR game Sword Art Online, appears to detonate when forcibly removed, causing fatalities in households nationwide.
Authorities are warning the public to avoid tampering with the NerveGear. Family members of players currently using the device are advised to stay calm and DO NOT attempt removal.
Instead, call 911 for assistance immediately.
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Automated Response: All operators are currently busy. Please stay on the line; your call will be answered as soon as possible.
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Global Crisis: One Million Players Worldwide Trapped in VR
BBC World News
November 7, 2024
A global VR crisis is unfolding after the release of the highly anticipated game Sword Art Online. Over a million players worldwide are now trapped in the game, unable to log out, and facing fatal consequences if they attempt to remove their NerveGear headsets.
The developer, Japanese national Kayaba Akihiko, has since issued a statement claiming responsibility. According to his announcement, any player who attempts to exit or has their headset forcibly removed will face “immediate fatal injury.” Authorities in Japan, the United States, and the European Union are scrambling to coordinate an international response, but it remains–
–SECRET] Transcript Of Call Between H█████ Y███ and K█████ S████
DATE: November 7, 2024
TIME: 4:44 PM
H█████ (H): This is Command.
K█████ (K): This is Analyst. I looked at the psych profile. It’s not enough. Or do you expect me to stroll into his house and negotiate through his childhood traumas? I've got fifteen [expletive] minutes before I've got to go in! Give me something I can [expletive] work with!
H: Understood, Lieutenant-Colonel. But watch your tone. Tell me what you need.
K: Does he have weapons, or anything dangerous? Any intel?
H: Subpoena still pending. But he has bombs, obviously.
K: Fantastic. And the NerveGear money? Over a billion in USD, where is it? Already frozen, or still missing? I need some leverage!
H: Still missing.
K: [expletive]
H: Take a moment to cool off, Analyst.
K: No time. Listen, if it comes down to it, I need to be able to cut his power, his internet—everything.
H: Understood. ECM?
K: That too. Jam his mobile, his radio—all frequencies. If I give the signal, lock him down, then send in spec ops to neutralize him directly.
H: Understood, Lieutenant-Colonel. Are you sure about this?
K: [pause] Yes. I am. This might be his domain, but I have no intention of playing by his–
–Rules: How To Win And Escape
Official SAO Blog
November 7, 2024
Hello, players. This is Kayaba Akihiko.
By now, you have likely realized that logging out of Sword Art Online is no longer an option. This is not a technical issue; it is by design.
You are now in a game of life and death. As for how to play...
To players: if your in-game character dies, you will suffer the same fate in real life. You die in-game, you die in real life. Simple as that.
To everyone else: any attempt to forcibly remove a player's NerveGear will trigger an automatic fail-safe, resulting in immediate, fatal injury for the player. I believe the common term for it is "explosion". And if you're too close, you might get caught up in the AoE, so to speak. So don't interfere.
There is only one way to win the game. You must clear all 100 floors of Aincrad, and defeat all 100 bosses. Only by reaching the very top of Aincrad Castle will you be released.
And do it quick. You have exactly one year to escape. Miss the deadline, and you die. But if you succeed, then everyone gets to live.
To any and all authorities reading this, take note: All one million players are my hostages. So don’t do anything rash, and I won’t, either. But I’m happy to talk. You know exactly where to find me, I'm sure.
Once again, welcome to Sword Art: Online. I hope you'll enjoy your stay.
For more details, see the patch notes.
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Obituary: Dante Thompson (2002 - 2024)
The Houston Chronicle
November 10, 2024
Dante Leo Thompson, age 22, passed away on November 6, 2024, as a victim of the recent VR disaster.
Born in Houston, Texas, Dante was a recent graduate in computer engineering and was known for his bright, inquisitive mind. He loved music, video games, and sports, and was the assistant coach for Rice University's ultimate frisbee team.
Dante is survived by his parents, two younger sisters, and his beloved dog, Cookie. He will be remembered as a warm-hearted young man with a bright smile that could cure even the worst of days.
A closed-casket funeral service will be held at St. Mary’s Church on Saturday, November 12, at 11:00 AM.
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