So where in the timeline does this take place?

[Tack]

I was wondering, does this take place in R1 or R2's timeline, or is it a new one all together? (R3?)

[shugo_lover]

I belive it's new all to gether. I'm not sure though. I haven't been keeping up with .hack//Link news but I think it takes places after the events of R2

[AtoliXHaseo]

I think 3 years after GU, so the year is I think 2020.

[TheSorrow]

Yep, AtoliXHaseo (epic name BTW) is right.

This happens in a new timeline, 3 years after the events of GU and R:2. During that time, The World R:2 closed, and a new The World was made, called The World R:X (so you could call it the "R:X timeline" if you wish), and it's in that version of The World where the events of .Hack//LINK occur.

[Kuukai]

Some parts happen in 2021 and 2024, but most of the game is in 2020. But that's a little misleading, since countless past events are explored via flashbacks and The World's logs.