Sound Voltex

Sound Voltex
Genres Music
Developers Konami
Publishers Konami
Platform of origin Arcade
First release Sound Voltex Booth
January 18, 2012
Latest release Sound Voltex III: Gravity Wars
November 20, 2014


Sound Voltex (stylized as SOUND VOLTEX, often shortened as SDVX) is a series of music games by KONAMI. It was tested on various cities in Japan starting on August 26, 2011 until September 19, 2011.[1] It was then released on January 18, 2012.

SOUND VOLTEX II - infinite infection - and SOUND VOLTEX III GRAVITY WARS are updated versions of SOUND VOLTEX, released on June 5, 2013 and November 20, 2014, respectively. It has since appeared, though more limited, in arcades outside of Japan (including some locations in the US and elsewhere).[2]

SOUND VOLTEX overview

SOUND VOLTEX consists of two different parts that relate to each other: SOUND VOLTEX BOOTH and SOUND VOLTEX FLOOR. SOUND VOLTEX BOOTH is the main game, while SOUND VOLTEX FLOOR is a system wherein game content is created by Japanese artists and musicians. Content chosen from SOUND VOLTEX FLOOR will be inserted into SOUND VOLTEX BOOTH and become available in the game.

Unlike other rhythm arcade games, SOUND VOLTEX does not require the players to play the music correctly, but to make various effects on the existing music.

Gameplay

Control panel

Objects

Various objects come towards player on the course lane, which consists of 6 columns of rails. The player is required to input corresponding commands when the object reaches the Critical Line at the bottom of the screen. The command required will differ, depending on the objects.[2]

BT Objects (for upper row of buttons)

These are white objects that come toward the player. Each BT object is one column wide.
When these objects reach the Critical Line, the player must hit the BT button corresponding to the rail where the object sits.
For chip objects, the player simply hits the buttons. For long objects, the player presses and holds the buttons until the end of the object.

FX Objects (for lower row of buttons)

These are orange objects that come toward the player. Each FX object is two columns wide.
When the objects reach the Critical Line, the player must hit the FX button corresponding to the rail where the object sits.
For chip objects, the player simply hits the buttons. For long objects, the player presses and holds the buttons until the end of the object.

Analog Device Lines (for control knobs)

These are blue and pink lines that flow from the inside to the outside of the course lane.
When the line(s) reach the Critical Line, the player must turn the corresponding analog knob(s) to make the Markers stay inside the Device line.
For sloping parts, the player must turn the knobs slowly. For right-angle parts, the player must turn the knob suddenly.

Rate systems

As the player hits the objects, a judgment is received—from highest to lowest: CRITICAL, NEAR, and ERROR—depending on the timing of hitting the objects. (For long objects and Analog Devices, CRITICAL and ERROR only.) CRITICAL fills the rate gauge, while ERROR depletes it. (From SDVX II onward, NEAR also fills the gauge, but only 1/4 of the amount that CRITICAL fills.) The player is required to fill the rate gauge a the certain amount by the time the stage ends to clear it; otherwise the player fails it, and the play session will be over. The amount required to fill the gauge will differ, depending on the rate system the player is using.

Effective Rate

This is the default rate system. Its initial value is 0%.
The player is required to fill 70% of the rate gauge before the stage ends to clear the stage.
When playing multiplayer, if at least one player clears the stage those who fail will instead be SAVED, and they can continue the play session.
The amount of the rate energy that the player has can affect the Clear Mark. Even if the player is using other rate systems, this rate system will still work in background.

Excessive Rate

This is the rate system added in SDVX II. Its initial value is 100%.
The player is required to finish the stage without letting the rate energy fall to 0%. If the rate gauge is fully depleted before the stage ends, it's an instant TRACK CRASH.
The player receives a different clear medal when clearing a stage with this rate.
Since the player is instantly retired from the match when receiving TRACK CRASH, the SAVED system is unavailable when using this rate.

Permissive Rate

This is the rate system used in Skill Analyzer mode. Its initial value is 100%.

Blastive Rate

This is the rate system used for Blaster stages. Its initial value is 100%.

Results Screen

After the stage ends, a result screen is shown with following statuses and statistics included.

Clear Status

Track Complete
The player gets this status when the stage is cleared.
Track Crash
The player gets this status when a stage is failed.
Saved
The player gets this status when a stage is failed, but the player is saved by other players in the match.
Ultimate Chain (UC)
The player gets this status when a stage is cleared without ERRORs.
Perfect Ultimate Chain (PUC, or simply Perfect)
The player gets this status when the player hits all objects with CRITICAL judgment, which will let the player gets the full score of 10,000,000.

Play Score

This is the player's score for the stage. The formula for score is Score = (Critical + Near/2) ÷ Total Chain × 10,000,000

Clear Mark

The grade for the stage—from highest to lowest: AAA, AA, A, B, C, and D—depends on the judgment value.
The formula for judgment value is Value = Score × 0.9 + Effective Rate % × 1,000,000
Grade Judgment Value
AAA Over 9,800,000
AA 9,400,000 ~ 9,799,999
A 8,900,000 ~ 9,399,999
B 8,000,000 ~ 8,899,999
C 7,000,000 ~ 7,999,999
D Under 6,999,999
If the player clears the stage with AAA for the first time, a special animation will be shown.

Clear Medal

The medal received will differ depending on the clear status and rate systems.
Track Played (Dark Green C)
This medal is usually received when the status is TRACK CRASH.
The stages played in Skill Analyzer mode will retain this medal as well, unless UC or PUC status is received.
SAVED (Blue S)
This medal is received when the status is SAVED, but the medal will remain as Track Played in the Track Select screen.
Effective Complete (Green C)
This medal is received when the player clears the stage with the Effective Rate system.
Excessive Complete (Purple C)
This medal is received when the player clears the stage with the Excessive Rate system.
Ultimate Chain (Red U)
This medal is received when the status is UC.
Perfect (Golden P)
This medal is received when the status is Perfect.

Rate Energy

This is the amount of the energy left in the Rate gauge.

Judgment Counts

This is the number of CRITICAL, NEAR, and ERROR judgments.
For the NEAR counts, the system also shows EARLY and LATE counts for the player, similar to Beatmania IIDX.

Maximum Chain

This is the max chain count acquired in the stage.

Achievement gauge

This is the achievement rate for 3 different objects: VOL for analog device lines, LONG for FX objects, and BTN for BT objects.

Stage Reward

The player is awarded with Packets and Blocks, according to performance.

Skill Analyzer

Skill Analyzer mode is a mode added in SDVX II, which can let the player test their Skill Level. The player first selects the course to play, and the course will immediately begin after selection. The course is harder, as the Skill Level required is higher. Each Skill Level contains 3 different courses for the player to select.

The Skill Levels (in SDVX III) are listed below:

When playing in Skill Analyzer mode, the rate system will be locked in Permissive Rate system. Starting with the initial value of 100%, the player is required to finish the course without letting the rate energy fall to 0%. The rate energy left in each previous stage will be brought to the next stage. If the rate gauge is fully depleted before the course ends, it's an instant TRACK CRASH.

The results screen for each stage will still be shown, and the player can still receive the reward, but the clear medal will remain as Track Played unless a UC or a PUC status is acquired.

After the course is over, the achievement rate and the course result will be shown.

Infinite Blaster (Since SDVX II)

Each track usually contains three types of effects—from easiest to hardest: NOVICE, ADVANCED and EXHAUST. However, there are also GRAVITY or INFINITE effects for some tracks. These effects are harder than EXHAUST or are at the same level but completely different from EXHAUST. The player cannot simply unlock them in SOUND VOLTEX STATION, and instead they can only be unlocked by playing Blaster stages.

To unlock GRAVITY or INFINITE types for the track, the following is required:

  1. Charge the Infinite Blaster
    The player can charge the Infinite Blaster by simply playing the stages with the Excessive Rate system.
    Once the Infinite Blaster gauge is full, Blaster stages are available.
  2. Select the Blaster stage
    The player then opens up the Blaster stage category, and selects the effect they want to unlock.
    Each effect contains a Barrier Track, which is the stage the player will play.
    A Full gauge of Blaster energy is consumed for each Blaster stage played.
  3. Play the Blaster stage
    The rate system is locked in the Blaster Rate system. Like the Excessive Rate, the player is required to complete the stage without letting the rate energy fall to 0%.
    Each Barrier Track contains Target Life, which will be damaged according to the performance. The better the performance, the higher the damage.

This cycle is repeated until the Target Life is reduced to 0 and the player can get the effect.

The player can also play the Blaster stages by simply starting a play session with Blaster Start, regardless of the Blaster energy.

Unlocks

Like all of the BEMANI games, SOUND VOLTEX BOOTH also has its own unlocks. SOUND VOLTEX STATION is the main unlocking system in the game. Each time players play SOUND VOLTEX BOOTH, they will receive a certain amount of Blocks and Packets. Blocks are required to unlock music and Packets are used to unlock Appeal Cards, which are basically Avatars.

One of the unlocking methods is the APPEND TRAVEL event, where players clear songs from Jubeat, saving their results and gameplay in an e-Amusement card when playing other BEMANI games with the card inserted. APPEND TRAVEL has the song candii unlocked, as well as its own Appeal Cards.

Music

SOUND VOLTEX's music is mainly produced by independent artists; most of the artists are VOCALOID producers. Song jackets are also created by independent artists, and some songs may have different jackets for different difficulties, like EZ2DJ.

Artist Song Tier
New Originals
Regular Songs
EZFG cloud
豚乙女 dilemma
baker good high school
SOUND HOLIC feat.Nana Takahashi Ha・lle・lu・jah
yanagi Iterator
ゆよゆっぺ feat.めらみぽっぷ It's over
8#Prince(八王子P) Love♡sicK
ヒゲドライバー PULSE LASER
Dios/シグナルP Rebellious stage
YM SurVALI
emon U&M
KEENO wound
daniwell バタフライキャット
(Butterfly Cat)
ピノキオP ごりらがいるんだ
(Gorilla ga Irunda)
蝶々P とある少年の一日
(Toaru Shounen no Ichinichi)
otetsu ナナイロ
(Nanairo)
家の裏でマンボウが死んでるP 西日暮里の踊り
(Nishinippori no Odori)
SDVX STATION Unlocks
幽閉カタルシス RPGシンドローム
(RPG Syndrome)
SOUND HOLIC feat.Nana Takahashi TYCOON
マチゲリータ 不思議玩具ガンガラディンドン
(Fushigi Omocha Gangaradindon)
ゆちゃP サイコパスコミュニケーション
(Psychopath Communication)
Nem 世界はネコのもの
(Sekai wa Neko no Moto)
azuma feat.ななひら ヤサイマシ☆ニンニクアブラオオメ
(Yasaimashi☆Ninniku Abura Oome)
EXIT TUNES Licensed songs
蝶々P Black Board
Mayumi Morinaga (moimoi) dreamin' feat. Ryu☆
daniwellP feat. 桃音モモ Nyan Cat
otetsu feat. 灯油 カーニバル
(Carnival)
ゆちゃP feat. GUMI チェックメイト
(Checkmate)
kemu feat. GUMI 地球最後の告白を
(Chikyū Saigo no Kokuhaku wo)
cosMo＠暴走P feat. GUMI ディストピア・ジパング
(Dystopia Jipangu)
cosMo@暴走P feat. MAYU エスケープ・フロム・ディストピア
(Escape from Dystopia)
40mP feat. GUMI ハートブレイク・ヘッドライン
(Heartbreak Headlines)
kemu feat. GUMI イカサマライフゲイム
(Ikasama Life Game)
kemu feat. GUMI 人生リセットボタン
(Jinsei Reset Button)
YM feat. GUMI 十面相
(Jūmensō)
kemu feat. GUMI カミサマネジマキ
(Kamisama Nejimaki)
ピノキオP 腐れ外道とチョコレゐト
Mayumi Morinaga 君にエールを…！ (DJ UTO REMIX)
(Kimi ni Ēru wo...!)
そらる キミノメヲ
(Kiminomewo)
Last Note. feat. GUMI ノイジーラバーソウル
(Noisy Rubber Soul)
赤飯 おにゃのこ きねんび
ゆちゃP feat. GUMI ポーカーフェイス
(Poker Face)
Last Note. feat. GUMI 恋愛勇者
(Ren'ai Yūsha)
kemu feat. IA 六兆年と一夜物語
(Roku Chōnen to Ichiya Monogatari)
iroha 炉心融解
(Roshin Yūkai)
Last Note. feat. GUMI ルートスフィア
(Route Sphere)
Neru 再教育
(Saikyōiku)
Last Note. feat. GUMI セツナトリップ
(Setsuna Trip)
しゃむおん 春色ポートレート
(Shunshoku Portrait)
ぐるたみん ソラヘドライブ

(Sora e Drive)
164 feat. GUMI 天ノ弱
(Ama no Jaku)
Touhou Project Arrange songs
Masayoshi Minoshima Bad Apple!! feat. nomico
SOUND HOLIC feat. Nana Takahashi Grip & Break down!! -SDVX Edit.-
FELT Runaway Drive
REDALiCE taboo tears you up 2008
岸田教団&THE明星ロケッツ 明星ロケット
(Akeboshi Rocket)
ARM(IOSYS) チルノのパーフェクトさんすう教室
(Cirno no Perfect Sansū Kyōshitsu)
豚乙女 幻想のサテライト
(Gensō no Satellite)
幽閉サテライト feat. senya 月に叢雲華に風
(Tsuki ni Murakumo Hana ni Kaze)
BEMANI Backstage Collaboration
ismK V.I.P. BEMANI Backstage Theme song
SOUND VOLTEX FLOOR Original songs
P*Light caramel ribbon
RoughSketch Distorted Floor
Junk Fire Strike
kamome sano freaky freak
Hommarju Onigo
源屋 Ray
kanone SOUL EXPLOSION
Hommarju Soundscape
黒魔 Space Diver Tama
void World Vertex
Daisuke Ohnuma 香港功夫大旋風
(Hong Kong Kung-Fu Daisenpū)
はるなば レトロスペクティビリー・メリーゴーランド

(Retrospectively Merry Go Round)
Konami Arcade Championship 2012 Original songs
siromaru Absurd Gaff
TeamGrimoire+あま猫 croiX
Yooh Dynasty
kamome sano éclair au chocolat
ginkiha EGG
Hommarju Gott
BlackY Max Burning!!
C-Show PANIC HOLIC
P*Light TRIGGER★HAPPY
nora2r VISION
黒魔 大宇宙ステージ
(Daiuchū Stage)
kamome sano 線香花火
(Senkō Hanabi)
Remixes
Regular Songs
無力P ALBIDA Powerless Mix Original song on jubeat ripples APPEND
iroha(sasaki) Broken 8cmix Original song on REFLEC BEAT
cosMo@暴走P Evans VolteX Pf Arrange Original song on jubeat
fu_mou gentle stress wobble remix Original song on beatmaniaIIDX SubStream
sasakure.UK feat.mirto jet coaster☆girl sasakure.UK tRickStAr Remix Original song on GuitarFreaks 7thMix / DrumMania 6thMix
ARM(IOSYS) feat.一ノ瀬月琉(monotone) LOVE♡SHINE わんだふるmix
(LOVE♡SHINE Wonderfulmix)		 Original song on Dance Dance Revolution Extreme
takamatt MAX 300 takamatt MIN remix Original song on DDRMAX Dance Dance Revolution 6thMix
KN smooooch・∀・ KNmix Original song on beatmaniaIIDX 16 EMPRESS
ゆうゆ ふしぎなくすり いっきのみっくす
(Fushigi na Kusuri Ikki no Mikkuru)		 Original song on pop'n music 17 THE MOVIE
ノボイスキ ガッテンだ！！ Novoiski Remix
(Gattenda!! Novoiski Remix)		 Original song on pop'n music 19 TUNE STREET
yuukiss [月風魔伝]龍骨鬼戦 yks Remix
("Getsufuma-den" Ryukotsuki-sen yks Remix)		 Original song on 月風魔伝
MUZIC SERVANT ヒマワリ MUZIK SERVANT Remix
(Himawari MUZIK SERVANT Remix)		 Original song on GuitarFreaks 10thMix / DrumMania 9thMix
マチゲリータ 凛として咲く花の如く スプーキィテルミィンミックス
(Rin Toshite Saku Hana no Gotoku Spooky theremin mix)		 Original song on pop'n music 15 ADVENTURE
SDVX STATION Unlocks
azuma Diamond Dust Black Diamond Dust Original song on REFLEC BEAT
REDALiCE FLOWER REDALiCE Remix Original song on jubeat knit APPEND / REFLEC BEAT
cosMo@暴走P neu BSP style Original song on pop'n music 15 ADVENTURE
幽閉カタルシス RED ZONE Neo Classical Party Mix Original song on beatmaniaIIDX 11 IIDXRED
ラマーズP Second Heaven Lamaze-REMIX Original song on beatmaniaIIDX 14 GOLD
fu-mou Vampire Killer scar-ed PF Mix Original song on GuitarFreaks / DrumMania V6 BLAZING!!!
デッドボールP Xepher Light and Darkness Dragon Mix Original song on beatmaniaIIDX 12 HAPPY SKY
ARM (IOSYS) 恋する☆宇宙戦争っ！！ あばばばみっくす
(Koisuru☆Uchū Sensō!! A Bababa Mix)		 Original song on beatmaniaIIDX 19 Lincle
164 冥 Rockin' SWING REMIX
(Mei Rockin SWING REMIX)		 Original song on beatmaniaIIDX 12 HAPPY SKY
Dixie Flatline feat.祭屋 遠く Dexholic Mix
(Tooku Dexholic Mix)		 Original song on pop'n music 14 FEVER! (PS2)
D.watt 突撃！ガラスのニーソ姫！ D.watt nu-denpa RMX
(Totsugeki! Glass no Kneesock Hime! D.watt nu-denpa RMX)		 Original song on beatmaniaIIDX 19 Lincle
SOUND VOLTEX FLOOR Remixes
IDEA+RHYTHM .59 -BOOTH BOOST REMIX- Original song on beatmaniaIIDX 2nd Style
BlackY AA BlackY mix Original song on beatmaniaIIDX 11 IIDXRED
borzy Abyss (sharp stepp remix) Original song on beatmaniaIIDX 5th Style
Dustboxxxx Blue Rain Dustboxxxx RMX Original song on beatmaniaIIDX 15 DJ TROOPERS
Hommarju Clione Hommarju Remix Original song on beatmaniaIIDX 4th Style
Yu_Asahina Freeway Shuffle -More2 HAPPY Re-Mix- Original song on Dance Dance Revolution SuperNova 2
kamome sano Ganymede kamome mix Original song on beatmaniaIIDX 13 DistorteD
D.F.K. Soundsystem GAMBOL (dfk SLC rmx) Original song on beatmaniaIIDX
N-Driver Ignited Night burst Original song on pop'n music 18 せんごく列伝
Maozon pandora (Maozon Remix) Original song on beatmaniaIIDX 10th Style
PHQUASE rainbow flyer -gratitude remix- Original song on beatmaniaIIDX 8th Style
DJ Noriken SEED (DJ Noriken Remix) Original song on REFLEC BEAT
C-Show Tomorrow Perfume (C-Show Remix) Original song on beatmaniaIIDX 7th Style
t+pazolite Tomorrow Perfume (tpz Despair Remix) Original song on beatmaniaIIDX 7th Style
かめりあ サヨナラ・ヘヴン (かめりあ's NEKOMATA electro RMX)
(Sayonara Heaven (Camelia's NEKOMATA electro RMX))		 Original song on pop'n music 11 (PS2)
APPEND TRAVEL
八王子P candii SOUND VOLTEX BOOTH x jubeat copious APPEND
Also appeared on 8#Prince's album, "xxxx the ripper"

Hardware

The specifications[3] of SOUND VOLTEX BOOTH are listed below.

Sound Voltex Floor

Sound VOLTEX FLOOR is a series of contests where players compete to make audio or visual content for inclusion in SOUND VOLTEX BOOTH.[4] Contests being held include making original songs, remixing a BEMANI song, designing a CD jacket, and designing an APPEAL CARD. The participants that are allowed to compete are Japanese residents. New contests are announced periodically, each with their own theme.

References

  1. ↑ SOUND VOLTEX location test schedule (in Japanese). Konami.
  2. 1 2 Su, Kevin (February 3, 2016). "Blasting into Arcade Rhythm Games: My Adventures with SOUND VOLTEX and the Church of Rasis". The Gemsbok. Your Mid-week Mission. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  3. ↑ SOUND VOLTEX BOOTH specifications (in Japanese) on BEMANISPEC Wiki.
  4. ↑ SOUND VOLTEX FLOOR Information on Bemanistyle.

External links

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