IBM Japan announces Sword Art Online virtual reality project

IBM Japan has announced Sword Art Online: The Beginning, a virtual reality project that aims to realize the world of the popular Sword Art Online light novel series.

Rather than use a controller, the game will be played by moving your body. Reki Kawahara, creator of the Sword Art Online series, calls it “completely different from any game experience so far.”

The project uses a a next-generation computing system called the “Cognitive System” that supports human decision-making, as well as “SoftLayer,” IBM’s high performance cloud system that produces the ambiance of a real world.

At the official website, IBM are taking applications until March 4 for a prototype alpha test to be held between March 18 and 20 in Tokyo. A total of 208 applicants will be accepted.

Watch a teaser trailer, featuring some game assets, below.