Source: Yostar

Yostar announced on the 22nd that it has launched a collaboration event between its mahjong game 'Mahjong Soul,' developed by Cat Food Studio, and the 'Sword Art Online' series.

The collaboration features a limited-time event titled 'Vow of the Sword,' which incorporates MMORPG concepts into the traditional mahjong experience, offering players a unique new way to play.

In this event, characters such as Ichihime, Yuzu, and Yuen Xiao appear in an MMORPG setting, where players can choose a class—Mage, Swordsman, or Warrior—and level up their characters through matches. During the event, players can randomly obtain various tiers of equipment through gameplay; equipping higher-tier gear increases combat power. Additionally, players can form parties with friends to challenge dungeons, with various rewards provided upon completion, adding a layer of cooperative fun.

Meanwhile, 'Sword Art Online' is a popular novel series published by Dengeki Bunko that follows the adventures of the protagonist, Kirito, within the next-generation VR MMORPG of the same name. Since the release of the first volume in April 2009, the series has enjoyed immense popularity, surpassing 30 million copies in cumulative global circulation as of 2022. The TV anime adaptation began airing its first season in 2012, and to date, four series have been produced. In 2017, the theatrical release of 'Sword Art Online The Movie: Ordinal Scale' garnered significant attention. Beyond these, the series continues to maintain steady popularity through various media franchises, including games and comics.