Sword Art Online - Episode 1 Discussion / Poll

[zeniselv]

nothing great this first episode, but after moretsu pirates, im assured slow pace can do wonders if you ave a good story, interesting characters and a rich setting, animation was good, and the music gives more the medieval/fantasy setting than the online one, not that i find that bad, but its very reminiscent of madoka, specially the bgm that plays when the GM is about to finish his speech.

[j4c06]

Good timing with that "tutorial" announcement! Wouldn't you normally be trying to kill off your character at that point if it was stuck with no log out option...

Anyway, isn't the best course of action to get together, make an army and clean all the floors up to the top. Why do they want to compete for resources instead? I think I am missing some vital piece of game rules...

Oh, and 10000 guys look at their real faces in the mirrors, and surprise surprise nobody has glasses on!

[Iron Maw]

Originally Posted by NaweG

2) Why would someone do this question has a LOT of possible answers. We have nothing on his back story, and that could be relevant. It could be something as wild as the reason for "Eden of the East" - and this is his way of making the Otaku "man up". It could be a chance to blackmail folks for money. Think of the "Hunger Games" - he could get folks paying him money to send items to their loved ones in his world. Or he could literally be a meglomaniac and it's easier to build your own world to rule than to take over the real one.

Just my .02 worth...

Or maybe a God-complex. He does after all, control every facet of this world, and has the ability observe and manipulate anyone at will. A giant virtual sandbox if you will.

Originally Posted by j4c06

Oh, and 10000 guys look at their real faces in the mirrors, and surprise surprise nobody has glasses on!

I don't think you can wear glasses with that thing on your head, the Nerve Gear has a visor remember?

[kyp275]

Originally Posted by DragoonKain3

Awesome art, but way too much exposition for my tastes. Next to no action and no sign at all of any sort of romance made this episode a snorefest for me. Even weaker pilot episode than say, Campione IMO.

SAO is not the kind of story that throws you into the thick of the action from the get-go with no explanations of what's going on. Really, does every show have to front-load all the story and plot elements into the first episode?

Originally Posted by serenade_beta

As expected of Accel World's author, but the setting is ridiculous. The characters were better though, without an otaku pig and a male side character that isn't a side-side character, but wow, the setting... Like no official committee ever checked this game before it was made available to the public. It's practically terrorism.

Because no system can be hacked/taken over by the person who personally designed the core of the system

[Somnus]

Originally Posted by j4c06

Anyway, isn't the best course of action to get together, make an army and clean all the floors up to the top. Why do they want to compete for resources instead? I think I am missing some vital piece of game rules...

Rather than rules, this falls more on general MMO habits and faults of human nature. There are various reasons why this is going to (not "may", it's guaranteed) happen.

- In terms of general MMO habits, everyone is Lvl 1 (or around there). Dying means actual death, so if you fight at all, you'll want to be careful about it. The area directly outside of a first city (in any RPG, really) is always the easiest prey, thus being the safest way to get stronger. Now here's the catch, potentially 10,000 people are going to use this area at the same time. Fast respawn rates or not, that's going to be slim pickings.

- In terms of human nature, it's simple. You mentioned making an army. Who's going to lead it? In that world, you would assume the strongest person. Without going too much into it, one could already assume what a mess that would create.

Lastly, despite the large amount of protesting do you honestly believe some people in the group aren't HAPPY with their situation? Why would they want out?

Throw in mass panic, disbelievers, etc., and you'll quickly see how hard it would be to convince all 10k people to work together right away, if at all.

[Dark Wing]

Originally Posted by kyp275

SAO is not the kind of story that throws you into the thick of the action from the get-go with no explanations of what's going on. Really, does every show have to front-load all the story and plot elements into the first episode?



Because no system can be hacked/taken over by the person who personally designed the core of the system

I'd just leave them alone kyp they're just like many people these days if a show doesn't spoon fed everything piece of information or has action right out off the gates it's probably not worth their time so why go through the trouble of cantering to them...

Spoiler for for space:

Originally Posted by Somnus

Rather than rules, this falls more on general MMO habits and faults of human nature. There are various reasons why this is going to (not "may", it's guaranteed) happen.

- In terms of general MMO habits, everyone is Lvl 1 (or around there). Dying means actual death, so if you fight at all, you'll want to be careful about it. The area directly outside of a first city (in any RPG, really) is always the easiest prey, thus being the safest way to get stronger. Now here's the catch, potentially 10,000 people are going to use this area at the same time. Fast respawn rates or not, that's going to be slim pickings.

- In terms of human nature, it's simple. You mentioned making an army. Who's going to lead it? In that world, you would assume the strongest person. Without going too much into it, one could already assume what a mess that would create.

Lastly, despite the large amount of protesting do you honestly believe some people in the group aren't HAPPY with their situation? Why would they want out?

Throw in mass panic, disbelievers, etc., and you'll quickly see how hard it would be to convince all 10k people to work together right away, if at all.

To sum it up the saying goes one person may be smart but a group of people are stupid...

[thundrakkon]

BTW, I originally was wondering why there were so many female characters in an online game, around a 40% female to 60% male ratio. That seemed so high. After they transformed to their true self, I got my answer.

Originally Posted by NaweG

1) If this is like many "real" games there were 10K copies sold, but the Beta users probably got gifted (cheap or free) copies as well. So that suggests there may be 11K folks, and that's assuming that there is no way to load a cracked copy. I'm also curious if like a "real" MMO there aren't some support staff - and are they trapped as well? In fact, while he said you couldn't get out, there was no mention that the game was closed to new players coming in, and I can imagine some folks choosing to do so if the option is open.

When they tried to reach the support staff, nothing responded. My guess is that there is no support staff. Also, since this was created completely by one individual and this is the initial official run on its very first day, I don't think anyone would have come up with a crack yet.

You do bring up a good point about possibly other people trying to enter the game later on. I can definitely see older rescue teams coming in with added knowledge to try and protect those alread in the game. However, for casual gamers, I really doubt they would knowingly put themselves in that risk... well, at least the mentally stable ones wouldn't. Great... more mentally insane people in a desperate situation already, but hopefully the series will not go in that direction.

Originally Posted by NaweG

2) Why would someone do this question has a LOT of possible answers. We have nothing on his back story, and that could be relevant. It could be something as wild as the reason for "Eden of the East" - and this is his way of making the Otaku "man up". It could be a chance to blackmail folks for money. Think of the "Hunger Games" - he could get folks paying him money to send items to their loved ones in his world. Or he could literally be a meglomaniac and it's easier to build your own world to rule than to take over the real one.

I don't think it is for money. Once killing a lot of people is involved, the chance of getting money is almost zero. Also, you cannot man up in a game since it is different than real life. Furthermore, you cannot man up if you die. Hence, that is unlikely either.

I do think the meglomaniac option is feasible, if at least partly true. It could be just an experiment that he wants to test out, in the name of "science". Or it could be a type of revenge he is placing against the world. Or he could be just a control freak, and this was his one true dream come true.

However, I feel there has to be a purpose. He wants them to able to reach level/floor 100. There must be a reason for him to even give them that option. I also bet that when they reach the final level, the final boss will be the creator himself.

Originally Posted by j4c06

Good timing with that "tutorial" announcement! Wouldn't you normally be trying to kill off your character at that point if it was stuck with no log out option...

Anyway, isn't the best course of action to get together, make an army and clean all the floors up to the top. Why do they want to compete for resources instead? I think I am missing some vital piece of game rules...

Oh, and 10000 guys look at their real faces in the mirrors, and surprise surprise nobody has glasses on!

I bet you some of the characters already tried to kill themselves in game. Hence, the 200+ deaths so far at that point. Also, you don't normally want to kill your character to log out anyway, since you will lose stats in a normal game.

I also thought about the possibility of creating an army. However, as it was mentioned, there are limited resources. I'm sure some of the characters will declare themselves kings or guildmasters, and they might actually stage war against each other. It is a survival of the fittest scenario. Currently, there are probably too many players for the amount of resources available. However, I will find it very dispicable if players started targeting other players because that equals to nothing more than murder.

Considering you put a VR device on your head, I don't think you need glasses. It is uncomfortable, and this is a neurolink, if I understood it correctly.

[Iron Maw]

Found this another forum and I thought it was too funny not to share.

Spoiler for The unfortunate truth of all MMO's:

Suddenly

[Miraluka]

Originally Posted by serenade_beta

-snip-
...but wow, the setting... Like no official committee ever checked this game before it was made available to the public. It's practically terrorism.

Its the game designer the one who did this, so its a safe public game under legal standars .

Originally Posted by Iron Maw

Found this another forum and I thought it was too funny not to share.

Spoiler for The unfortunate truth of all MMO's:

Suddenly

Wanna date a cute MMO's girl?

At the end, only a real girl was among them (the one with black twin tails hairstyle that gets a hime-cut hair later with a shocked face) .

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Iron Maw

Found this another forum and I thought it was too funny not to share.

Spoiler for The unfortunate truth of all MMO's:

Suddenly

As someone who's played a lot of MMOs, it's very true. The rule: everyone is a male on the Internet, unless proven otherwise, is especially true for MMOs. People pretending to be a girl just so they can "date" someone else also happens quite often, and as a matter of fact, I know people who've done that. It's a little creepy..

[Sackett]

Originally Posted by Iron Maw

Found this another forum and I thought it was too funny not to share.

Spoiler for The unfortunate truth of all MMO's:

Suddenly

I love how the (real) girls are all shocked, but the guys all look around as if they expected it.

[FlareKnight]

Originally Posted by thundrakkon

When they tried to reach the support staff, nothing responded. My guess is that there is no support staff. Also, since this was created completely by one individual and this is the initial official run on its very first day, I don't think anyone would have come up with a crack yet.

You do bring up a good point about possibly other people trying to enter the game later on. I can definitely see older rescue teams coming in with added knowledge to try and protect those alread in the game. However, for casual gamers, I really doubt they would knowingly put themselves in that risk... well, at least the mentally stable ones wouldn't. Great... more mentally insane people in a desperate situation already, but hopefully the series will not go in that direction.

I'd be surprised if we had many if any people coming in later on. The moment a disaster like this happened the stores are going to be pulling any copies they have from the selves. In terms of online distribution will probably work to have those sights pull them too. Could lead to an all-out recall on the hardware itself preventing people from going in even if they wanted to.

Besides this kind of crazy guy seems like the type who wants things to go as he planned them. He made sure only 10,000 people would have initial access. More people coming in might disrupt what he's trying to accomplish (whatever that is). Think in the end it will be these 10,000 people (well more like around 8,000 now) to find their way out of this.

I don't think it is for money. Once killing a lot of people is involved, the chance of getting money is almost zero. Also, you cannot man up in a game since it is different than real life. Furthermore, you cannot man up if you die. Hence, that is unlikely either.

I do think the meglomaniac option is feasible, if at least partly true. It could be just an experiment that he wants to test out, in the name of "science". Or it could be a type of revenge he is placing against the world. Or he could be just a control freak, and this was his one true dream come true.

However, I feel there has to be a purpose. He wants them to able to reach level/floor 100. There must be a reason for him to even give them that option. I also bet that when they reach the final level, the final boss will be the creator himself.

I'm not sure the "man up" theory is completely off. After all while they physically won't change from this, those that survive will change mentally. Theoretically gain a supreme appreciation for their real lives and wanting to live them to the fullest. Doubt someone that would set all this up cares about those who die. The ones that survive is probably all he cares about and if they "man up" from this experience then he'd have a success, assuming that's part of his motivation. Those that die were too weak and weren't needed in the world anyways.

Too many possibilities really. Could have a god complex, a serious obsession with control, testing a theory about humanity, etc. Maybe he wants to see what kind of person can rise up from this kind of situation. Everyone starting on a fairly even playing field. Besides the beta testers having knowledge, their physical abilities are starting on the same level. Though wonder if the beta testers are just beta testers. Were they randomly selected or did he even have a purpose for that?

Just too little information right now.

[kyp275]

Originally Posted by Sackett

I love how the (real) girls are all shocked, but the guys all look around as if they expected it.

well, they already know that MMORPG means Many Men Online Role Playing Girls :P

[j4c06]

Originally Posted by Somnus

You mentioned making an army. Who's going to lead it? In that world, you would assume the strongest person. Without going too much into it, one could already assume what a mess that would create.

The smartest/most informed would make better leaders. My best guess would be to pick some beta-testers too They would probably have to hold elections, to have at least some kind of formal agreement... The mess would indeed happen anyway, but at least some percentage should realize that it is a co-op game and resource consumption should be optimized.

On the other hand, the boar respawned - so there is no obvious shortage (yet?)

Another thing that makes me wonder is how this Klein guy is going to survive a month without somebody watering his disabled body. His living alone sounds like a plot hole to me...

[ZGMF-X10A]

The story line is pretty interesting. I think I can relate to Kirito. There are a couple things I don't see realistic in the first episode.

1. Kirito (beta tester) helping out a noob
If he was like level 20 helping out a noob, I can believe but both starting out the same time and both stayed at level 1 until GM introduction. If a game is released I'm pretty sure people will start leveling as fast as they could, unless they are those who actually read everything. The storyline should be easy to follow so rushing to high level I don't see a problem.

2. Too many females. Sure there are females playing mmos but there are just way too many. lmfao

3. Early area is way too empty, and no one pk'ing.

4. 2000 died only in a month? that's it? and still on first floor.

Everything else I find it pretty interesting. Would keep watching until the end.

[kk2extreme]

Originally Posted by Kattaro

If VRMMORPG was on the market then I would specially go to Japan to buy this
This kind of technology really interest me. In my opinion it would be great if something like that were made.

I don't want to die just yet and I will have other to test it out if it is safe to play yet

[Dark Wing]

Originally Posted by j4c06

Another thing that makes me wonder is how this Klein guy is going to survive a month without somebody watering his disabled body. His living alone sounds like a plot hole to me...

I could answer that now but it would be a spoiler...

[Miraluka]

Originally Posted by FlareKnight

I'm not sure the "man up" theory is completely off. After all while they physically won't change from this, those that survive will change mentally. Theoretically gain a supreme appreciation for their real lives and wanting to live them to the fullest. Doubt someone that would set all this up cares about those who die. The ones that survive is probably all he cares about and if they "man up" from this experience then he'd have a success, assuming that's part of his motivation. Those that die were too weak and weren't needed in the world anyways.

The experience is the result of facing a challenge-like situation, more when your real life is a risk.

Originally Posted by FlareKnight

Too many possibilities really. Could have a god complex, a serious obsession with control, testing a theory about humanity, etc. Maybe he wants to see what kind of person can rise up from this kind of situation. Everyone starting on a fairly even playing field. Besides the beta testers having knowledge, their physical abilities are starting on the same level. Though wonder if the beta testers are just beta testers. Were they randomly selected or did he even have a purpose for that?

Don’t forget the chance he was just bored and wanted to play with the ants… .

Originally Posted by ZGMF-X10A

The story line is pretty interesting. I think I can relate to Kirito. There are a couple things I don't see realistic in the first episode.

1. Kirito (beta tester) helping out a noob
If he was like level 20 helping out a noob, I can believe but both starting out the same time and both stayed at level 1 until GM introduction. If a game is released I'm pretty sure people will start leveling as fast as they could, unless they are those who actually read everything. The storyline should be easy to follow so rushing to high level I don't see a problem.

2. Too many females. Sure there are females playing mmos but there are just way too many. lmfao

3. Early area is way too empty, and no one pk'ing.

4. 2000 died only in a month? that's it? and still on first floor.

Everything else I find it pretty interesting. Would keep watching until the end.

1. I don’t understand you very well, but starting at the same time doesn’t means both spend the same time in the game.
2. The truth exposed on the very first episode .
3. Once one gets into the monsters appears. And the PKing… just wait.
4. Just wait for the next episode “news”.

Originally Posted by kyp275

well, they already know that MMORPG means Many Men Online Role Playing Girls :P

[Archon_Wing]

Kaijura soundtrack and concept makes me think this is .hack sign, but stuff actually happens.

It's like hardcore mode, but you die IRL too!

Good premiere that sets up everything promptly. It's rarer these days that they manage to get the storytelling down to a tee. 8/10

[j4c06]

Originally Posted by Dark Wing

I could answer that now but it would be a spoiler...

Ah, ok then. Knowing there is some answer is enough for me. Thanks