[Ray]

Originally Posted by Polarpew

its also strongly hinted that AW is the future of SAO timeline. By like 20+ years

Strongly hinted? Not quite.

Spoiler for Sword Art Online, Light Novels, Volume 7-9 (it occurs pretty late in the series):

Spoiler for You've been warned!:

Acceleration is also involved in SAO. As a matter of fact, it's that aspect of SAO that inspired Kawahara to write AW. But yes, the world of AW seems to be ahead of the world of SAO by about 20 years.

Originally Posted by kyp275

Well, it's a fan-favorite speculation, but so far Kawahara has only given a not-very-strong statement of "not right now" :P

I suppose that's one to interpret what he said in the afterwords of volume 10 of AW ("There is no clear connection"). Interestingly enough, the 3 people I asked to check it seem to agree in thinking the worlds aren't connected; perhaps they're just likeminded people?

From what I've seen, most people just want to believe the two worlds are connected/the same as a forms of justification for thinking that Kuroyukihime is Asuna and Kirito's daughter. Some of their evidence for thinking is so is illogical to the extent that it becomes somewhat laughable. I have no problems with speculation, but sometimes, fans just tend to go over the top with it.