Sword Art Online (NOT a MMORPG)

[GeekyJuuu]

I'm actually a fan of SAO, so though chances of localization are low, it's cool that it got a game period given the premises. :] I think it definitely owes a lot to .hack's popularity, but it handles several concepts differently, and works on its own pretty well. Too bad anime/LN-tied games basically never make it over. >.o

[MooGoesTheMaid]

From what I heard before, both series actually originated around the sametime. although many think one ripped off the other the case might've been exactly what it was. two people just got a similar idea ("Great minds think alike?"). Anyways, since this is a psp game it's chances of being localized are low (although a number of them are being localized lately). But the main problem is that this game is put out by Bandai Namco and I heard some companies have approached them about localizing some games and they almost always say "no."

[Kimidori]

they are not that much rip off from another though

quote from someone in another forum

there is sort of a side thing in .hack where the focus is on out of game investigation, alot of real life drama with some of the character, etc. Some of the characters RP in certain ways because it is sort of escapism from their real issues, etc etc.

Yet in SAO the game becomes their real life because they stuck in the game and dying in game mean dying in real life. They are really worried at first (obviously) but after being stuck in the game for months they realize the game is it until it is beaten. People stop RP'ing and everyone is really just being themselves. People get married and such, there is a "real" player police, and while it is only "in game" everyone has to look like themselves. You could see some people choosing the game over the real world.

It is just a different sort of dynamic going on.

[zeopower6]

Same. Someone ripped someone else off here. The premise is too similar and too unique compared to titles that came before them to be a coincidence.

I think the author is just very into MMOs. One of their other series is also based on a VRMMORPG (Accel World) and is rathe rpopular.

[Minato]

Isn't anyone excited this game coming out? ..ignoring the comments about one anime ripping off the other, you could say without a doubt that hopefully this could be the thing that becomes yet a big boost toward localizing then cha-ching.

[Khaye]

God I love this series, wish it would get localized with Vita support.