Bandai Namco Entertainment has announced a brand new game in the SWORD ART ONLINE universe, SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream. The game is developed by DIMPS (developer of SAO Fatal Bullet and Freedom Wars) and is an action co-op online game. Players will be able to choose from and play as over 20 characters from the SAO IP in co-op missions and 20-person boss raids. Online mode will also support cross-platform play. In addition to the online portion, Fractured Daydream also has a single-player offline story mode.
You can check out the game’s English-subbed announcement trailer below.
Bandai Namco describes the game as follows:
Worlds Collide. Blades Unite.
For new & seasoned SWORD ART ONLINE and anime fans, SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream delivers the ultimate co-op raid battle experience, featuring all-new gameplay mechanics, and a dream lineup of over 20 all-star characters from across the SWORD ART ONLINE universes. This is the ultimate SWORD ART ONLINE action game for SWORD ART ONLINE fans!
All-Star Roster
SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream boasts over 20 playable characters from across the SWORD ART ONLINE universe, spanning the IP’s anime (S1-S3) and movie series.
Each character belongs to a unique fighting class with its own attributes.
For SWORD ART ONLINE fans, this is a dream come true experience to commemorate the IP’s 10th Anniversary.
20 Player Co-Op Action
Players engage in exhilarating co-op action, including online dungeon raids against large mobs and even bigger bosses. Team up with up to 20 players around the world (cross gen support) to take down menacing monsters alongside your favorite SWORD ART ONLINE heroes and villains.
Experience a unique combat system that allows players to swap seamlessly between party members.
Easy to learn, hard to master.
Original Storyline
SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream features a new original story where all SWORD ART ONLINE worlds collide, with out-of-the-box interactions between the different characters—enemies become allies, the dead becomes the undead, etc.
What would happen if characters from separate SWORD ART ONLINE worlds and timelines collided? If a changed past is the difference between life and death, how far would someone go to ensure they get their second chance? Players get to experience various interactions from across the best of all arcs (S1-S4) within the game.
A closed beta test (CBT) for the game is scheduled to start on March 11th at 12 am PDT. Those selected to participate will be able to play as Kirito, Agil, Argo, Sinon, Oberon, or Leafa. You can sign up for the CBT HERE. The schedule for the CBT is as follows:
March 11th
12:00 AM – 5:59 AM PDTMarch 15th
1:00 AM – 8:59 PM PDTMarch 16th – March 17th
1:00 AM – 2:59 AM PDT
An SAO game information program is scheduled to premiere on February 22, 2024 at 20:00 JST (3 am PST / 6 am EST) on the SAO βeater’s cafe YouTube channel. They will share more information on Fractured Daydream during the program.
SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream is scheduled to launch in 2024 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. For more information, you can check out its official website (English, Japanese), follow Bandai Namco’s Official X Account, or follow the SAO Game X Account (English, Japanese).
SOURCES: Bandai Namco X Account, SAO Game X Account, Famitsu
