Director	Tomohiko Itō
Screenplay	Reki Kawahara Tomohiko Itō
Music	Yuki Kajiura
Editor	Shigeru Nishiyama
Production	A-1 Pictures
Distributor	Aniplex

Summary

Sword Art Online The Movie: Ordinal Scale is a feature length film released in 2017. Published by Aniplex and animated by A-1 Pictures, the film has an fully original story line by the series creator and author Reki Kawahara. The film's production was announced on October 4th 2015 at the Dengeki Bunko Autumn Festival and that it would be set between the events of the second and third series of the animation. The film would then go on to be premiered across Japan, Southeast Asia and Germany on February 18th 2017, with it appearing in serveral other countries worldwide over the coming weeks and months. Reaching over 27 different countries in 2017, the film would have a box office value of 4.3 Billion Yen (or about $38.2 million US Dollars as per 2017 valuation).

Based in April 2016, the story revolves around a new wearable device known as the Augma. Similiar in aspects to the NergeGear and AmuSphere, it is based on existing FullDive technology, while being limited to just augmenting the real world it's wearer. This is a new function that allows the device to function while the user is entirely conscious, emitting signals to the brain alongside it's ability to perform retinal projections. As a result the device is marketed to not being capable of achieving FullDive like it's competitors. It however became an instant hit on the market, augmenting of the experiences people would interact with in society, with a lot of communication and business events taking advantage of the technology. Many games were also developed for the system, with the most notable and popular game Ordinal Scale being a system exclusive augmented-reality massive multiplayer role-playing game (ARMMORPG).

Ordinal Scale is based within a parallel universe to the real world known as Unital. In reality, drones are used to scan play area, and the system converts this into map data for the game, giving players the feeling of battling in a fantasy world, while still preserving the boundaries that exist in the real world. Each player is equipped with one of three different types of play-styles for combat; the Blade Type, where players use swords for close-range combat, the Gun Type, giving players a vast range of firearms for long range combat, or Wand Type which is played as a supporting class. Each player is placed on a ranking leaderboard, where they are compared to each other player in the game. In-game, each players rank is shown above their character. The number is special, as the game determines any players strength and defence levels based on their in-game rank.
Unlike VRMMO games like Sword Art Online and ALfheim Online, the system does not rely on sword skills, in addition, players from Gun Gale Online would also not be able to take advantage of the system's Bullet Circle. Player's still also have to consider their real-life abilities when playing the game, as they are using their real bodies to play the game, they can be affected by their lack of stamina or be impacted from being unfit, this goes without saying that real injuries can occur when playing the game, however direct physical attacks are forbidden by the rules. Even with this limitation, the sense of combat is emulated using a handheld apparatus that is linked to a player's Augma. With combat vibrations are sent through the device, and when taking damage, players have a virtual sense of shock emitted by the Augma.

The developers or Ordinal Scale also created the virtual idol AI known as YUNA. Replicating that of a bard in comparable titles, her singing and music would be used to give players buffs in-game. However, he popularity surged greatly throughout the game, and into the mainstream market through the power of the Augma. While acting as a key character within the game's battle sequences, she had a upcoming major role outside of the game world with a staged concert performance to be held with tickets being sold out relatively quickly by many of Ordinal Scale's playerbase.

The movie follows the events around Kirito and his friends. As Kirito alone is not an avid player of Ordinal Scale, his interest in the game turns around when hearing a rumour regarding floor bosses from Sword Art Online would make an appearance within the game, and the mysteries that revolve around the game's rank number 2 player that shows himself during these battles.

References

• Sword Art Online The Movie: Ordinal Scale - Wikipedia
• Sword Art Online The Movie -Ordinal Scale- - Fan Wiki