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DZX Productions :: DZX Productions :: Games & Media :: IIDX GOLD is here!

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Topic: IIDX GOLD is here! (Read 509 times)

SqiKy kLeen
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IIDX GOLD is here!
« Thread Started on Mar 4, 2007, 1:33pm »

As many of you know, Im into the Beatmania IIDX series of games. You can even check out my scores in my sig.

Anyways, whenever Konami wants to test one of their new IIDX Arcade cabinets, they do it in a small handfull of places known as "location tests" which are essentially Beta tests.

For the first time ever, Konami is doing a location test in America! And its only a short trip away, located in Naperville, IL!

The new game is beatmania IIDX 14 GOLD, and follows suit like all new IIDXs with a new interface and BGM music and of course, new songs (Including Facination MaXX).

If the turnout is good at this test, we may be seeing more IIDX machines all across the country! Many people in the community are already planning road trips from places like Georgia, Cali, and Maine. I will definetly be making more than one trip down myself, but for now I will be there myself for the first day of the test!

So heres some juicy bits of what youll be seeing and Ill be playing in the next game

Opening Theme:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHEb_vFv7SE

TRANOID:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXKbaXFvrfY

VANESSA:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tg2TXCZZiBY

Kurukuru*Love (Opioid Peptide MIX)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoT0_SIN23A&mode=related&search=

snow storm - dj TAKA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyxI_BY4B-M&mode=related&search=

the shadow - kors k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TffOlv7YW0w&mode=related&search=

Fascination MAXX
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeLTD8PR5Xk

There are tons more from the same user if you look. I just posted my faves. Enjoy, and Ill see you all again on Tuesday! Hopefully with some pics

EDIT:

It's party time...

« Last Edit: Mar 6, 2007, 6:09pm by SqiKy kLeen »

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SqiKy kLeen
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Re: Tomorrow, I make history.
« Reply #1 on Mar 6, 2007, 5:14pm »

Its time..

Day 1 full review:

I left for the arcade extremely early, making it there around 10:30. To my dissapointment, the machine was nowhere to be found, but after asking around a bit, I found out they were waiting for the Japanese execs and technicians to fly in from Japan to set up the machine.

In the meantime I got my arcade key (its like a pen drive that keeps your tokens on it, and you "plug" it into the machines to play them) and played a couple rounds of DDR:Supernova and ITG2. Nows when I wish I wouldnt have worn my steel toes >.<. I also played a nother J-game by Capcom entitled Precussion Master. Its a lot like Takio no Tatsujin. :-*

Finally, the techs arrived and the now decent crowd (about 12-13 people) gathered round as the techs wheeled out a shiny new GOLD cabinet.

[image]

Being early definetly had its perks, as I got to take a sneak peek at the inner workings of the elusive IIDX cabinet. The techs unpackaged and assembled the entire thing before our eyes.

[image]

You can see in the background of this pic, the large metal frame for the lights, speakers, and marquee.

[image]

More frame pics:

[image]

A good shot of the controller you play on:

[image]

Next step was putting up the TV. Immediatly everyones hopes were lifted when they saw that it was a widescreen CRT, as LCD lag has been a common problem on some machines. It also means FAR cheaper replacement parts for any future machines.

[image]

Then the metal frame overhang goes on over the CRT. You can see why America usually doesn't get these; INSANE shipping costs.

[image]

An absolutely gourgeous side-shot of the machine:

[image]

IIDX gets moved into its new place, being on the most open part of a half-circle of Bemani machines. In order: IIDX GOLD, ITG 2, DDR: Supernova, ITG 2. In the pic, you can see the colored lights on top, which create neat light effects when shone behind the Marquee (shown later)

(sorry for the embarrasing pic guys!)

[image]

The bass box for the machine...

[image]

...now attatched to the machine. The box is about 3 inches high off the floor, and yes, you actually stand on it when you play. You can definetly feel the bass in your feet. It creates an interesing ambience and a cool gameplay experience. Dont worry, it supports a lot of weight.

[image]

ITS ALIVE! The LED display comes to life and it runs its startup procedures. BTW, those things on the machine are the "speaker pops" which are cardboard cutouts that go on the outside speakers.

INFO FROM June (Baka Orochi on Bemanistyle)

"The disclaimer screen (not shown) also indicates that the machine was NOT to be sold or distributed outside North America." O_O

Check out these other startup pics!
http://mydjsobad.bemanistyle.com/baka/goldtest/100_4392.jpg
http://mydjsobad.bemanistyle.com/baka/goldtest/100_4404.jpg

[image]

Neon lights inside the cabinet speakers:

[image]

The main game select screen. Notice that almost everything is in english. Many of the song titles are still in Japanese, but at least the onscreen directions are now clear.

[image]

The interface for the song select wheel and more noticably, the select option window. In this pic Aubrey(sp?), picks the options for the first song ever played on a legal US IIDX machine!

[image]

I ain't afraid of no ghost. :-/

The machines turntable and key LEDs shine brilliantly as Aubrey plays the 2nd stage.

[image]

Crowds gather around:

[image]

And before you know it, people are clammoring trying to figure out placement of people next in line and such. Spirits were high, and the IIDX machine was in a constant state of play the entire time I was there. I got to meet many people, and those who showed up fairly early got pleanty of chances to play. Overall, I dont think the test could have gone any better for the first day. We had an array of players, from beginners to seasoned veterans, and the machine was left unplayed for maybe 5 minutes total if not less.

The Konami executives apparently are also very pleased with the turnout on the first day. Lets hope that the turnout continues to be good in the upcoming weeks!

Other information:

-Playing IIDX at the Arcade is completety different experience than I expected. The bass box and outer speakers tend to blast the music inwards at the player, instead of outside everywhere. Taller players may find it difficult to play in one, as they will need to be looking down on the screen to see, which at the arcade is VERY close to your face. Many taller players had to stand either "spread eagle" with their feet on the floor, or have one foot on the bass and one on the floor behind them in like a "ready to run" position. Eventually, most found the the most comfortable way to play was sitting on the enourmous barstools provided by Brunswick Zone. Big thanks go out to them for hosting this on behalf of the players who were there, Bemani community, and those yet to come!

-IIDX Beginners will find a new feature worthy of attention. In Beginners mode, instead of the standard background music for the Song Select wheel, you actually get a "DDR-style song preview clip" that plays a small sample of the song when you highlight it.

-The "Vanessa" Extra Stage is the first song ever with an interactive video. Depending on how you are doing as you play, the face on the portrait will change. If you do well, it will begin to crack a smile. If you do poorly, it will begin to frown and grimace at you. This is a throwback to a story entitled "The Picture of Dorian Grey". See the Wiki, or the movie "Leauge of Extrordinary Gentlemen" for more info.

-Now is a great time for IIDX to making a hit in the US IMO, as the machine features a PLETHORA of songs from older versions, with more familiar Bemani tunes and great new stuff than you can count.

-More shots of the machine!

[image]

Replacement Sanwa keys:
[image]

-And new stuff for GOLD!

[image]

The speaker pops and Marquee I mentioned: (folded up)
[image]

A new custom centerplate for GOLD!
[image]

Well this is all for my review for now. If I stop in again for the test later on, I will be taking more pics, hopefully of TRANIOD screens and of the Vanessa Extra Stages. Keep a lookout for more!

« Last Edit: Mar 6, 2007, 6:13pm by SqiKy kLeen »

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AltruisticCrono
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Re: IIDX GOLD is here!
« Reply #2 on Mar 7, 2007, 9:21pm »

Woah~ Thats quite an event you experienced... and with lots of pics!

That must have been an insane shipping cost as you mentioned. Its soo shiny and new~

:'(

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