What Is GFDM: Difference between revisions

In 2010, KONAMI released '''GuitarFreaksXG''' and '''DrumManiaXG''', which introduced several changes to the cabinet and controllers for both games. Since the release of the XG series, the original cabinets had [[AC GFDM V7|two new]] [[AC GFDM V8|versions]] before being discontinued. The XG series had three games before being renamed as simply '''GITADORA GuitarFreaks''' and '''GITADORA DrumMania''', with another new, smaller cabinet (although the controller, and therefore gameplay, was not changed). The GITADORA series is currently being supported with online updates.

KONAMI has not mass produced an American version of ''DrumMania'', primarily since John Devecka holds the US patent for "drum simulation games", which Activision had purchased and utilized in the Guitar Hero series. Even with this possible obstacle in mind, KONAMI has tested English builds of DrumMania and GuitarFreaks V4 at the ATEI exhibition in London and at a Brunswick Zone bowling alley in Naperville, Illinois - though official releases have not been announced. Nonetheless, imported versions of ''DrumMania'' can be found in various locations across the United States and Canada.

''Note: Games from [[AC GF1|GUITARFREAKS]]/[[AC GF2DM1|drummania]] to [[AC GFDM V8|GuitarFreaks V8 & DrumMania V8]] are known as the "original series", while games using the [[AC GFDM XG|GuitarFreaksXG & DrumManiaXG]] and [[AC GITADORA|GITADORA]] cabinets are known as the "XG/GITADORA series".''

To the right of these pads, there are three buttons, Left, Start and Right, which are used to select and decide in the selection screens. In those cases, the Left button is assigned to the snare drum pad, Right to the low tom, and Start to the cymbal.

The interface is similar to other games in the BEMANI series. Two ''note scrolls'' - one for each player - are displayed at the left and right sides of the screen. Videos for each song are displayed in the center of the screen. Each note scroll consists of columns: one each for the red, green, and blue buttons  (the XG/GITADORA series also has two extra columns for yellow and pruple buttons), and another column, known as the '''Wailing Bonus''' column. Individual notes and chords are represented by small colored bars that scroll upward in the columns. To play the correct note, the player must hold down the buttons corresponding to the colored bars, and move the fret lever when the bars reach the yellow fretting line. When a guitar icon is displayed in the Wailing Bonus column along with an associated note, the player can tilt the guitar upright while playing the note to receive bonus points.

Upon successful completion of a song, players are graded on their performance. When the game ends, the player's total score across all songs played is tabulated.

The screen setup is simple. On the left side, notes scroll vertically downwards and a short video clip for each song is displayed in the right side of the screen. Individual notes are represented by small colored bars that scroll downward in the columns.  

At the completion of a song, players are given a letter rank for their performance which can range anywhere from E to A, as well as S and SS depending on how well the song was played, and how the particular release of the game being played computes ranks.

One of the major selling points of ''GuitarFreaks'' and ''DrumMania'' are the games' ability to be linked to the other game. This allows up to three players to join together to play simultaneously in ''Session Mode''. During a session, the music will play simultaneously from both games, and the players' guitar and drum sounds are relayed between the two games.

Because the second version of ''GuitarFreaks'' was released prior to the first version of DrumMania, GuitarFreaks is one "mix" number higher than the ''DrumMania'' version it links up to. For example, [[AC GF6DM5|GUITARFREAKS 6thMIX]] is designed to be linked with drummania 5thMIX. The mix versions were synchronized with the release of [[AC GFDM V|GuitarFreaks V & DrumMania V]] eschewing the long-standing number system, and replacing what would have been the 12th and 11th mix, respectively.

Seen only in two releases each of ''GuitarFreaks'' and ''DrumMania'', MultiSession GDK allowed the games to be linked up with [[KEYBOARDMANIA 3rdMIX]] as well. In addition to having three players control the guitars and drums, two more could be added playing along on keyboards. However, when linked with KEYBOARDMANIA, only about a [[:Category:MultiSession GDK Songs|dozen songs]] are available to play. KEYBOARDMANIA 3rdMIX can be linked with [[AC GF5DM4|GUITARFREAKS 5thMIX & drummania 4thMIX]], or [[AC GF6DM5|GUITARFREAKS 6thMIX & drummania 5thMIX]].

Until V, ''DrumMania'' used KONAMI's System 573 Digital hardware, which was also implemented on ''GuitarFreaks'' on its [[AC GF3DM2|3rdMIX]], allowing the implementation of link functionality between the two games. On V, both games were switched to a PlayStation 2 based system, now using a hard drive instead of CD-ROM discs to store game data. As of V4, both ''GuitarFreaks'' and ''DrumMania'' now run on Windows XP Embedded based hardware known as BEMANI PC (which has also been adopted by other KONAMI arcade games).

Since [[AC GF9DM8|GUITARFREAKS 9thMIX & drummania 8thMIX]], the series has taken advantage of KONAMI's eAMUSEMENT (formerly e-AMUSEMENT) system, which adds several online capabilities to the game:

With the usage of the eAMUSEMENT Pass, players are allowed to select an avatar to represent themselves.

As of [[AC GFDM V3|V3]] with the usage of the eAMUSEMENT Pass, players are allowed to select an additional mode: Battle (Worldwide). With Battle mode, players can compete and pit their skills with another player available on the eAMUSEMENT server; otherwise not available without the usage of the eAMUSEMENT Pass.

Other than Battle Mode (Local), alternatively players can select the Battle Mode (CPU) which is also available only for GuitarFreaks or DrumMania machines without eAMUSEMENT access. This mode allows players to complete with the CPU, rather than a player.

With the usage of the eAMUSEMENT Pass, players are allowed to have their results posted via the Internet. These results include their own personal ranking and have results of their songs stored into the eAMUSEMENT Pass.

Songs played are then converted to Skill Points, which is determined by the percentage of Perfects, Greats and the number of notes hit correctly in succession, known as "Combo." The higher the combo count and percentage of Perfects, Greats, the higher the percentage of skill obtained for that particular song, up to 100% or simply MAX.

Skill Points are awarded upon successful completion of a song, and depending on how well the Skill Percentage earned for the particular song, the player earns the amount of Skill Points reflected at the end of the game.

Players are allowed to select titles earned from the games to represent them. These titles require special condition(s) to be met before earning the particular title.

A handful of ''GuitarFreaks'' and ''DrumMania'' simulators have been created for use on PCs, the most popular of which is called ''DTXMania''. It can be controlled using the computer keyboard, any USB device that can act as a joystick, or any MIDI instrument such as a MIDI keyboard or professional quality electronic drum kit. While DTXMania is compatible with Rock Band and Guitar Hero series drum sets, they do not have enough drum pads to play many of the DrumMania songs correctly unless more sets are added. DTXMania supports up to 8 drum pads and makes a distinction between open and closed Hi-Hat. Using DTXCreator from the web page it is possible to create playable songs from any mp3/ogg files if the guitar/drum tablature is available.

* [http://p.eagate.573.jp/game/gfdm/gitadora_tbre/p/index.html GITADORA Tri-Boost Re:EVOLVE official site], the latest game on the series.

* [http://twitter.com/gfdm_staff GITADORA staff Twitter].

* [http://www.konami.jp/bemani/gfdm/arcade/index.html GuitarFreaks & DrumMania GATEWAY], KONAMI's official arcade website for ''GuitarFreaks'' and ''DrumMania'' for games up to [[AC GFDM XG3|GuitarFreaksXG3 & DrumManiaXG3]].

* [http://bemaniwiki.com/index.php BEMANIWiki 2nd]

* [http://beatpool.tank.jp/ ギタドラ検索 beatpool]

* [http://www.dtxmania.net/ DTXMania], a popular simulator for GuitarFreaks & DrumMania.

* [http://www.digiband.net/ DigiBand], another simulator for GuitarFreaks & DrumMania, currently the only one available for Linux.