Overview
- Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online showcases a thrilling battle royale tournament, ensuring non-stop action.
- The Squad Jam tournament, characterized by distinct rules and team dynamics, originated from a concept for tactical, team-oriented gameplay.
- Prominent winners of the Squad Jam tournaments include teams such as LM, T-S, and BTRY, contributing to the fierce competitive atmosphere.
Tournament arcs have long been a hallmark of shounen anime, yet what if the entire series revolved around a tournament? This is the compelling premise at the heart of both seasons of Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online.
While a tournament-centric story might initially seem mundane, the execution is anything but. Each episode delivers relentless excitement, keeping viewers engaged from start to finish. Let’s unravel the intricacies of the Squad Jam tournament, exploring its origins, rules, and notable winners.
The Origin of the Squad Jam Tournament
From Bullet of Bullets to Squad Jam
Prior to the rise of Squad Jam, Gun Gale Online featured another global tournament known as the Bullet of Bullets (BoB). This single-player tournament highlighted players like Kirito and Sinon during the Phantom Bullet Arc of the original Sword Art Online series. Notably, Kirito and Sinon collaborated to eliminate other competitors before they faced off in a final duel.
After witnessing their dynamic teamwork, a prominent Japanese mystery novelist proposed the creation of a new team-based battle royale tournament. ZASKAR, the company behind Gun Gale Online, accepted the proposal for its Japanese server, thus giving birth to the Squad Jam. This innovation opened the door to a fresh competitive landscape.
“It’s true. He told ZASKAR that he’d be a sponsor for the tournament. I wonder how much he spent.”
–Pitohui, Season 1; Episode 3
The Rules
Having understood the origin of the Squad Jam Tournament, let’s delve into its foundational rules. Except for unique stipulations introduced in SJ3, the regulations governing all Squad Jam tournaments remain consistent. Here’s an overview of the essential rules.
A Battle Royale
Similar to BoB, the Squad Jam operates as a battle royale. Every team enters the fray simultaneously, with the freedom to target any competitor. They can choose tactical engagement or unite their efforts against more formidable foes. The key objective is simple—the last team remaining claims victory.
Preliminaries
In the inaugural Squad Jam, all registered teams were eligible to compete. Due to increased interest in subsequent tournaments, a preliminary round was introduced in SJ2 to narrow down participants. Notably, the top five teams from previous tournaments secured automatic spots in the main event.
A Team Battle
Each squad must consist of 2 to 6 members, and participants designate a leader upon registration. This structure ensures continuity in strategy—even if the leader is eliminated, the next in line can assume command. Communication is limited to living team members, and only the team leader can withdraw, disqualifying their entire group from the tournament.
Starting Point
At the tournament’s outset, teams are randomly placed on the map, ensuring a minimum distance of 1km between them. Given the diverse terrains—ranging from dense forests to open deserts—strategies must adapt to leverage environmental advantages effectively.
Guns and Vehicles
Players are granted complete freedom when it comes to weaponry; whether using machine guns, sniper rifles, or melee weapons, the choice is theirs. Additionally, various vehicles present throughout the arena can be utilized for transportation or strategic placements, such as setting traps.
Friendly Fire and Dead Players
In the Squad Jam, friendly fire is a viable tactic, adding an element of unpredictability to team dynamics. Eliminated players remain on the battlefield as “dead” markers for 10 minutes, rendering them immune to destruction while their teammates strategize from a secure lounge area.
The Satellite Scan
Every ten minutes, a satellite scan reveals the position of remaining teams. Each member accesses this information via a portable terminal, which allows for strategic adjustments. Notably, only the team leader’s position is made visible, enabling ingenious diversion tactics.
SJ3 Special Rules
The third Squad Jam introduced a unique twist: one member from each surviving team is designated as a traitor and regrouped into a new formation. This elevated the stakes significantly, as these traitors hold key knowledge about their original teams, leading to unexpected alliances and betrayals.
The Winners
Now, let’s discuss the victors. Each Squad Jam has been fiercely contested, with a handful of teams primarily determining the outcomes. Dominant forces such as LPFM, SHINC, MMTM, ZEMAL, and T-S frequently emerge as frontrunners. Who emerged victorious in earlier tournaments?
Winner of the First Squad Jam
Team LM triumphed in the inaugural Squad Jam, led by LLENN and assisted by strategist M. Their final showdown with SHINC showcased LLENN’s remarkable agility and M’s strategic prowess. Amid moments of personal crisis, they ultimately outmaneuvered SHINC to secure victory, solidifying LLENN’s status as the “Pink Devil.”
Winner of the Second Squad Jam
Team T-S emerged as the champions of the second Squad Jam. Although they technically outlasted the competition, their victory hinges on controversy; they maintained a low profile throughout the event. In contrast, Team LF captivated viewers with their engaging strategy and dramatic confrontations, culminating in a shocking conclusion when T-S intervened to eliminate the leading competitors.
Winner of the Third Squad Jam
Victors of the third Squad Jam, Team BTRY, delivered a series of unexpected narrative twists. Their triumph is marked by intense moments, including a dramatic duel between Pitohui from Team LPFM and LLENN from Team BTRY. In a fiercely contested climax, LLENN ultimately prevailed, solidifying her legacy within the tournament.
These key insights illuminate the core of the Gun Gale Online series: the Squad Jam Tournament. The show’s creators consistently find innovative ways to inject freshness into repetitions involving recurring characters. Fans eagerly anticipate the next installment of GGO and the evolution of the Squad Jam format.
Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online is available for streaming on Crunchyroll.
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