5,257
edits
SOUND VOLTEX Information: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
no edit summary
Pointaken47 (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
|||
| Line 6: | Line 6: | ||
= Summary = | = Summary = | ||
SOUND VOLTEX is one of the | SOUND VOLTEX is one of the more recent additions to BEMANI's series of music games, and the first one to utilize the [[eAMUSEMENT]] Participation system, which requires game cabinets to always be connected to the network.<br> | ||
[[Hidenori Kotera|Cody]] sounds directs the series, while [[Yoshitaka Nishimura|DJ YOSHITAKA]] serves as the head producer.<br> | |||
[[Sota Fujimori]] provides all of the games' background musics. | [[Sota Fujimori]] provides all of the games' background musics. | ||
What makes SOUND VOLTEX different from the other game series is that regular BEMANI artists (either KONAMI in-house or commissioned ones) aren't | What makes SOUND VOLTEX different from the other game series is that regular BEMANI artists (either KONAMI in-house or commissioned ones) aren't prominent in the song list. Instead, artists renowned in the doujin and beatmania simulation scene are more common here, plus licensed [[EXIT TUNES]] songs and ''Touhou Project'' arrangements. There are also remixes of original KONAMI songs.<br> | ||
While at first the song list mostly consisted of original songs or licenses involving VOCALOID, later in the life-cycle of the first game the artist selection greatly expanded thanks to what it is supposed to be the most important | While at first the song list mostly consisted of original songs or licenses involving VOCALOID, later in the life-cycle of the first game the artist selection greatly expanded thanks to what it is supposed to be the most important pillar of the series - the FLOOR section. | ||
''SOUND VOLTEX FLOOR'' refers to the group of competitions posted in its website where Japan-based artists can participate in, with a chance of their songs or remixes appearing in the games. Music contests have their own themes and rules, such as remixing a selection of an artist's songs or using synthesized vocals. There are also contests related to designing jackets for brand-new songs or to replace pre-existing ones in the game.<br> | ''SOUND VOLTEX FLOOR'' refers to the group of competitions posted in its website where Japan-based artists can participate in, with a chance of their songs or remixes appearing in the games. Music contests have their own themes and rules, such as remixing a selection of an artist's songs or using synthesized vocals. There are also contests related to designing jackets for brand-new songs or to replace pre-existing ones in the game.<br> | ||
Thanks to the FLOOR contests (and also to the presence of Touhou arrangements), the game quickly gained a lot of success, prompting the production team to focus as much as possible on these in the future. | Thanks to the FLOOR contests (and also to the presence of Touhou arrangements), the game quickly gained a lot of success, prompting the production team to focus as much as possible on these in the future. Contest winners may also be invited to provide original songs in SOUND VOLTEX itself or in other BEMANI games (most notably, 5 of the 7 [[beatnation Records|beatnation RHYZE]] members debuted in BEMANI via SOUND VOLTEX FLOOR). | ||
From April 16th, 2015 to May 15th, 2015, the first SOUND VOLTEX FLOOR contests (for original songs and appeal cards) exclusive to the rest of Asia were held. However, delays in communication between KONAMI, Korean distributor UNIANA and participating artists have resulted in the songs not being added to the game more than a year after it ended. Only as of May | From April 16th, 2015 to May 15th, 2015, the first SOUND VOLTEX FLOOR contests (for original songs and appeal cards) exclusive to the rest of Asia were held. However, delays in communication between KONAMI, Korean distributor UNIANA and participating artists have resulted in the songs not being added to the game more than a year after it ended. Only as of May 30th, 2016, were all winning artists have been notified. Since then, no news has appeared about the contest. | ||
As seen in SOUND VOLTEX II -infinite infection-, new games of the series are released as huge online updates. | As seen in SOUND VOLTEX II -infinite infection-, new games of the series are released as huge online updates. | ||
Unlike other BEMANI games, regular soundtracks | Unlike other BEMANI games, regular soundtracks are not released for the SOUND VOLTEX series. Instead, soundtracks tend to focus on one or a few FLOOR contests. Listed below are soundtracks currently available: | ||
* ''SOUND VOLTEX ULTIMATE TRACKS - 東方紅魔郷REMIX -'', released on July 30th, 2014 | * ''SOUND VOLTEX ULTIMATE TRACKS - 東方紅魔郷REMIX -'', released on July 30th, 2014, and released early on May 11th, 2014 at the ''Reitaisai 11'' doujin event. It contains all the songs from the [http://p.eagate.573.jp/game/sdvx/sv/p/floor/remix/04/index.html Touhou Project Embodiment of Scarlet Devil Remix Contest]. | ||
* ''SOUND VOLTEX ULTIMATE TRACKS -LEGEND OF KAC-'', released on March 4th, 2015. It contains songs from the first two [[KONAMI Arcade Championship]] contests. | * ''SOUND VOLTEX ULTIMATE TRACKS -LEGEND OF KAC-'', released on March 4th, 2015. It contains songs from the first two [[KONAMI Arcade Championship]] contests. | ||
* ''SOUND VOLTEX ULTIMATE TRACKS -FLOOR ANTHEM- EP.01'', released on February 24th, 2016. It contains several FLOOR songs from SOUND VOLTEX BOOTH and SOUND VOLTEX II -infinite infection- voted by the community. | * ''SOUND VOLTEX ULTIMATE TRACKS -FLOOR ANTHEM- EP.01'', released on February 24th, 2016. It contains several FLOOR songs from SOUND VOLTEX BOOTH and SOUND VOLTEX II -infinite infection- voted by the community. | ||
* ''SOUND VOLTEX ULTIMATE TRACKS -東方妖々夢&輝針城REMIX-'', to be released | * ''SOUND VOLTEX ULTIMATE TRACKS -東方妖々夢&輝針城REMIX-'', to be released on November 23rd, 2016, and released early on October 16th, 2016, at the ''Autumn Reitaisai 2016'' doujin event. It contains all the songs from the Touhou Project [http://p.eagate.573.jp/game/sdvx/sv/p/floor/remix/05/index.html Double Dealing Character] and [http://p.eagate.573.jp/game/sdvx/sv/p/floor/remix/07/index.html Perfect Cherry Blossom] remix contests. | ||
Original SOUND VOLTEX songs do not have soundtracks of their own, but may appear in soundtracks for multi-game BEMANI events. | |||
Recently, SOUND VOLTEX's sound direction has been increasingly focusing on KONAMI original songs made by the most popular FLOOR winners. SOUND VOLTEX has also become the first BEMANI game to have licensed BMS songs (BEMANI Simulation files) and with SOUND VOLTEX | Recently, SOUND VOLTEX's sound direction has been increasingly focusing on KONAMI original songs made by the most popular FLOOR winners. SOUND VOLTEX has also become the first BEMANI game series to have licensed BMS songs (BEMANI Simulation files), and with SOUND VOLTEX IV HEAVENLY HAVEN, it will be getting songs from major doujin labels such as ''HARDCORE TANO*C'', [[S2TB Recording]] and ''C.H.S.''. | ||
= Gameplay = | = Gameplay = | ||
SOUND VOLTEX's gameplay is similar to other rhythm games like beatmania IIDX and GuitarFreaks/DrumMania. When a note reaches the line in time with the beat, you press the corresponding button.<br> | SOUND VOLTEX's gameplay is similar to other rhythm games like beatmania IIDX and GuitarFreaks/DrumMania. When a note reaches the judgment line in time with the beat, you press the corresponding button or turn the corresponding dial.<br> | ||
The game interface has 4 SHORT BT note lanes, and 2 LONG FX note lanes that each occupy 2 SHORT note lanes. SHORT notes are white | The game interface has 4 SHORT BT note lanes, and 2 LONG FX note lanes that each occupy 2 SHORT note lanes. SHORT notes are white and LONG notes are yellow/orange.<br> | ||
In addition to the standard SHORT and LONG buttons, SOUND VOLTEX also has 2 analog dials, one on each side. | In addition to the standard SHORT and LONG buttons, SOUND VOLTEX also has 2 analog dials, one on each side. By default, when a blue trail (left side) and/or a pink trail (right side) appears, you have to turn the respective dial(s) to "follow" the trail(s). These are known as ANALOG CHAINS.<br> | ||
The effects in the songs are game-related and are caused by LONG FX notes (distortion effects) and ANALOG CHAINS (woosh effects). | The effects in the songs are game-related and are caused by LONG FX notes (distortion effects) and ANALOG CHAINS (woosh effects). | ||
| Line 73: | Line 74: | ||
* GENERATOR START | * GENERATOR START | ||
; SKILL ANALYZER (single player ranked mode) | ; SKILL ANALYZER (single player ranked mode) | ||
SKILL ANALYZER offers various 3-stage courses, | SKILL ANALYZER offers various 3-stage courses, most of which determines a player's Skill Level. The mode also includes special commemerative courses. | ||
* LIGHT START | * LIGHT START | ||
:: Normal SKILL ANALYZER mode, with no addtional benefits. | |||
* STANDARD START | * STANDARD START | ||
:: BLASTER ENERGY gauge increases by 3.33% per stage played. | :: BLASTER ENERGY gauge increases by 3.33% per stage played. | ||
= Difficulty = | = Difficulty = | ||
SOUND VOLTEX has three main difficulties: ''NOVICE'', ''ADVANCED'' and ''EXHAUST''.<br> | SOUND VOLTEX has three main difficulties: '''NOVICE''', '''ADVANCED''' and '''EXHAUST'''.<br> | ||
Since infinite infection, the new games have added a fourth difficulty, named after their subtitles: | |||
* infinite infection added the '''INFINTE''' difficulty, with a rainbow hue. | |||
* GRAVITY WARS added '''GRAVITY''', with an orange hue. | |||
* HEAVENLY HAVEN added '''HEAVENLY''', with a cyan hue. | |||
Charts on these difficulties are almost always more difficult than EXHAUST, and usually added to songs from previous versions (except for HEAVENLY, which is default for all new songs in the new game). These charts add the respective games' new gimmicks to otherwise old and outdated songs. | |||
Difficulty ranges from 1 (the easiest) to | Difficulty ranges from 1 (the easiest) to 20 (the hardest), since SOUND VOLTEX IV HEAVENLY HAVEN. Previously, it was 1 to 15 in BOOTH, and 1 to 16 in infinite infection and GRAVITY WARS. | ||
As a major note, newly added songs (except for original songs) have the NOVICE chart always available by default. The other difficulty charts, most of the time, must be bought from the SDVX Station or unlocked through | As a major note, newly added songs (except for original songs) have the NOVICE chart always available by default. The other difficulty charts, most of the time, must be bought from the SDVX Station, unlocked via INFINITE BLASTER, or unlocked through MISSIONs. | ||
= Scoring = | = Scoring = | ||
| Line 94: | Line 100: | ||
For LONG notes and analog chains, the combo chain starts counting after one beat from the start of the note/chain. Each LONG note and analog chain counts as 4 combo chain per beat (2 per beat if the song's BPM is more than or equal to 256 throughout). | For LONG notes and analog chains, the combo chain starts counting after one beat from the start of the note/chain. Each LONG note and analog chain counts as 4 combo chain per beat (2 per beat if the song's BPM is more than or equal to 256 throughout). | ||
== Grade == | == Grade == | ||
From BOOTH to GRAVITY WARS, a chart can be rated from D (lowest) to AAA (highest). It was variable, so it depended on both score and EFFECTIVE RATE level (or its equivalent level). The calculation of the "grade score" was:<br> | |||
<center>'''(TRACK score × 0.9) + (EFFECTIVE RATE level[%] × 1,000,000)'''</center><br> | <center>'''(TRACK score × 0.9) + (EFFECTIVE RATE level[%] × 1,000,000)'''</center><br> | ||
The final grade then can be determined from this table: | The final grade then can be determined from this table: | ||
| Line 115: | Line 121: | ||
| D || < 7,000,000 | | D || < 7,000,000 | ||
|} | |} | ||
In HEAVENLY HAVEN, the grade range is expanded, adding the A+, AA+, and S ranks. From its location tests, some reports also observed that only the score determines the grade. <!-- This will be updated when it comes out --> | |||
In addition, if a player hits all notes (i.e. a full combo), it is an ULTIMATE CHAIN (UC); and if they hit all notes with a CRITICAL rating, it is a PERFECT (formerly PERFECT ULTIMATE CHAIN, or PUC). | In addition, if a player hits all notes (i.e. a full combo), it is an ULTIMATE CHAIN (UC); and if they hit all notes with a CRITICAL rating, it is a PERFECT (formerly PERFECT ULTIMATE CHAIN, or PUC). | ||
| Line 137: | Line 145: | ||
'''IMPORTANT NOTE: The following section is obsolete due to the RANK system being removed in SOUND VOLTEX II -infinite infection-.''' | '''IMPORTANT NOTE: The following section is obsolete due to the RANK system being removed in SOUND VOLTEX II -infinite infection-.''' | ||
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">SOUND VOLTEX BOOTH Ranks | |||
<div class="mw-collapsible-content"> | |||
The purpose of the RANK System in SOUND VOLTEX BOOTH is to limit what song charts players can buy from the SDVX Station. There are 20 ranks in total, and you can raise them by accumulating Rank Points (RP). To accumulate RP you need to play songs and clear songs (getting ULTIMATE CHAINS or PERFECT ULTIMATE CHAINS makes the process faster). Once you gain a new Rank, you need to accumulate a new amount of RP for the next one. | The purpose of the RANK System in SOUND VOLTEX BOOTH is to limit what song charts players can buy from the SDVX Station. There are 20 ranks in total, and you can raise them by accumulating Rank Points (RP). To accumulate RP you need to play songs and clear songs (getting ULTIMATE CHAINS or PERFECT ULTIMATE CHAINS makes the process faster). Once you gain a new Rank, you need to accumulate a new amount of RP for the next one. | ||
| Line 160: | Line 170: | ||
# Absolute Sky (400 RP) | # Absolute Sky (400 RP) | ||
# Void (500 RP) | # Void (500 RP) | ||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
= Trivia = | = Trivia = | ||
* | * Game size re-arrangements of the system BGMs of the SOUND VOLTEX games have always appeared as a playable song: | ||
* | ** BOOTH's BGM, titled [[VOLTEXES]], first appeared in [[REFLEC BEAT limelight]]. | ||
** infinite infection's BGM, titled [[VOLTEXES II]], first appeared in [[REFLEC BEAT groovin'!!]]. | |||
** GRAVITY WARS's BGM, titled [[VOLTEXES III]], appears in SOUND VOLTEX III GRAVITY WARS. | |||
*** Initially titled ''VOLTEX III'', it was played at the ''EXIT TUNES DANCE PARTY ～beatnation RHYZE music council～'' concert by Sota Fujimori during his Expander act. During the ''EXIT TUNES DANCE PARTY beatnation summit 2015'' concert, however, it was corrected to VOLTEXES III and credited to Sota Fujimori. | |||
* SOUND VOLTEX II -infinite infection- is the first full BEMANI game to be released as an online update. | * SOUND VOLTEX II -infinite infection- is the first full BEMANI game to be released as an online update. | ||
* SOUND VOLTEX II -infinite infection- is the first BEMANI game to have a location test in a doujin-related event (Reitaisai 10). | * SOUND VOLTEX II -infinite infection- is the first BEMANI game to have a location test in a doujin-related event (Reitaisai 10). | ||
| Line 173: | Line 187: | ||
* [http://p.eagate.573.jp/game/sdvx/ii/p/index.html SOUND VOLTEX II -infinite infection- Website] | * [http://p.eagate.573.jp/game/sdvx/ii/p/index.html SOUND VOLTEX II -infinite infection- Website] | ||
* [http://p.eagate.573.jp/game/sdvx/iii/p/index.html SOUND VOLTEX III GRAVITY WARS Website] | * [http://p.eagate.573.jp/game/sdvx/iii/p/index.html SOUND VOLTEX III GRAVITY WARS Website] | ||
* [http://p.eagate.573.jp/game/sdvx/iv/p/teaser.html SOUND VOLTEX IV HEAVENLY HAVEN Teaser Site] | |||
* [http://p.eagate.573.jp/game/sdvx/sv/p/floor/index.html SOUND VOLTEX FLOOR Website] | * [http://p.eagate.573.jp/game/sdvx/sv/p/floor/index.html SOUND VOLTEX FLOOR Website] | ||
* [http://thegemsbok.com/art-reviews-and-articles/mid-week-mission-sound-voltex-konami/ SOUND VOLTEX Beginner's Guide (article)] | * [http://thegemsbok.com/art-reviews-and-articles/mid-week-mission-sound-voltex-konami/ SOUND VOLTEX Beginner's Guide (article)] | ||
* [http://bemaniwiki.com/index.php?SOUND%20VOLTEX% | * [http://bemaniwiki.com/index.php?SOUND%20VOLTEX%20III%20GRAVITY%20WARS BEMANIWiki 2nd page for SOUND VOLTEX III GRAVITY WARS] | ||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||