Philippines’ music gaming scene for 2020 and beyond

More than a decade ago, music arcade gaming scene in the Philippines is different from we see today. Only three games were being updated (DDR and GITADORA), no internet connection, and few people were playing, too small that you know each other's names or they know your face. During those time that, Timezone is the only game center in the Philippines that updates those three music games regularly. In 2016, when Konami held their first  unofficial location test for MUSECA and SOUND VOLTEX in Quantum SM North, a lot of music gamers swarmed the place. The location test is also the first time we connected to the e-amusement server.

eAMUSEMENT logo in Quantum SM Megamall Branch

For me, the new decade will be exciting for Filipinos, as more and more locals are becoming incline in music gaming, as these games are being reintroduced to other parts of the country thus, music gaming community is getting bigger. Philippines became one of the competing countries for BEMANI e-sports Championship annually, as well as localized tournament by their communities, SEGA's AiME server was recently added for their Maimai DX. Unification of game data card for all game companies. Although, these cards are locally unavailable, local players were able get thru sellers online or asked someone to buy them in Japan Game centers.

An Amusement IC Card logo

As for Quantum, I think they are able flourish their business by adding servers to their games and market their company by participating in conventions and tournaments. I think rhythm games are one of Quantum's profitable assets.

I look forward that other gaming companies would join in the scene so that they can showcase their games here and locals would not focus only on music simulation but in other game genres as well. Every time I visit Japan for a vacation, I always try other games that are currently unavailable in the Philippines. Right now, I am no longer a frequently gamer at the arcades, as before, who goes to malls to play at the arcades in a weekly basis. Real life hits hard right? Regardless, I am delighted that new comers are joining the excitement that makes arcade gaming in the Philippines is here to stay.

Konami's KEY and APPEND DISC for PlayStation 1 and Dreamcast

During the 90's era, when Konami released their very first BEMANI game for the PlayStation 1, the beatmania in October 1998. The game consist of two disc, the Arcade disc and Yebisu Mix disc. The arcade disc is the direct version of beatmania in the arcade, while the Yebisu Mix act as APPEND disc. In order to play the Yebisu Mix, they must first load the arcade disc, select the DISC CHANGE option and swap disc. 

A Note in the cover art that the game requires a KEY DISC to play (cover art from pop'n music 4 APPEND)

The kind of concept was used up to APPEND ClubMIX, succeeding beatmania games were standalone game. If someone tries to load the APPEND DISC directly, a warning will appear in the screen and the game will not boot. pop'n music used this to their APPEND 3 and 4 (pop'n music 2, 5, and 6 as KEY DISC, GUITARFREAKS to their APPEND 2ndMIX (GUITARFREAKS 1st as KEY DISC). As for DanceDanceRevolution (DDR), they used this kind of setup to their CLUB VERSION's VOL. 1 and 2 (using the DDR 2ndReMIX and DDR 3rdMIX (CS) games). I previously blogged about CLUB VERSION DISC. They also implement the DISC CHANGE in its Dreamcast version of pop'n music.

DISC CHANGE schematics for beatmania 6thMIX + CORE REMIX (CS)

Interestingly, beatmania APPEND DISC can play the Bonus edit, more like an alter ego of the direct arcade port. They can play the Bonus edit if they DISC CHANGE in a certain order, for Example, in order to play the beatmania 5thMIX Bonus edit, they must load the beatmania Arcade disc, swapped disc to APPEND 3rdMIX, then, swap disc from APPEND 3rdMIX to APPEND 5thMIX. Another interesting feature by using the DDR 3rdMIX (CS) as KEY DISC for DDR 1st and 2ndReMIX the graphic interface of the latter will be used and not the original interface, although, background animations are disabled during gameplay.

FIlipino traveler must have: Travel insurance

I have been traveling outside the Philippines twice as a solo traveler. As solo traveler, I always prepare things before my trip and one them is obtaining a travel insurance. Nowadays, travel insurance is becoming an essential to-do list in preparing your trip. It protects the traveler from uneventful situations during your travel abroad. Depending on the issuer, claims, compensation, and reimbursements of your expenses can be made during or after the uneventful situation. Some visa required countries such as Schengen area, Schengen embassies requires visa applicants, a travel insurance included in their visa requirements and extends up to 2 weeks after the trip.

Philippine Passport with Airline loyalty card

Travel insurance need not to be expensive. There are many local insurance company that sells policies for a good price. Although, price range depends on the duration of stay and country of destination. I got my travel insurance for less than 1,000.00PhP for a week stay in Japan and they offer a wide coverage of hospitalization, travel inconveniences, and lost of property with a certain compensation while on a foreign country. Airline companies also sells travel insurance with their allied insurance companies and will be integrated in your booking with a small fee. Some credit card companies offers free travel insurance when you use your credit card to purchase an airline ticket.

Lastly, after obtaining the policy, always read the fine print as coverage and compensation of policy varies from company to company and some support in your country of destination. Some travelers neglect to read important details of their policy.

You can still travel abroad without a travel insurance but having one will give you a peace of mind in your travels.

PARA PARA FEVER! ParaParaParadise!!

While Metro Manila is in Enhanced Community Quarantine because of the COVID-19 pandemic, I did some cleaning of the video game collection I have. I stumbled my ParaParaParadise controller. The box was full of dirt together with the other controllers I have. After cleaning, I thought of playing the game if the controller still works.

ParaParaParadise (PS2) game soft with controller

ParaParaParadise is Konami's answer in the Para Para fad in 2000 and it has three versions and a Korean variant (ParaParaDancing), it only lasted up to 2001. Konami only released one version for the PlayStation 2 console. The song list caters from the 1st up to 1.5MIX considering the arcade counterpart exist up to 2ndMIX. 

UPDATE 26/05/2021: I figured out that the controller and game are sold separately back then. Because the box controller doesn't have the space for the game soft to fit in.

ParaParaParadise paper layout

Unlike DDR and DanceManiaX, ParaParaParadise gets its license music from Avex label. The controller must use a specifically designed paper plate to mimic the arcade counterpart and its sensors can be adjusted unlike the arcades. The controller is one of the two BEMANI game controllers (the other is KEYBOARDMANIA) to use USB port.

ParaParaParadise controller

I saw a few Para Para controllers sold in Japan Surpluses around the metro, unfortunately they don't have the paper, therefore, layout of each sensor will be different. I also see some controllers has signs of tear such as chipped cable wire or cracked sensors.

Playing ParaParaParadise 2ndMIX circa 2015

The arcade version is rarely seen in game centers recently, maybe located provinces otherwise stored.  The last time I played it in arcade was in 2015 somewhere in Taguig City. Para Para Paradise is a fun BEMANI game reliving the Para Para fever two decades ago.

Reducing my video game collection

Over the last decade, I have collected quite a number of video games from BEMANI titles, Silent Hill, Metal Gear series, Winning Eleven series to Gundam titles. Over time, I accumulated too many games, too many that the games reached over the top of our apartment shelf. And by the way, not just game softs, I also accumulated video game controllers, soundtracks, and BEMANI related merchandise. You can see it on previous blog post from 2012 on how my video game collecting progresses.

My first photo in video game collecting (circa 2009)

There's a time that my Mother asked me to remove all of them because I am to hoard games and she don't want to see them clutter. At first, I ignored her, although, they are many, I always find a way in organized them and in some way she was able to accept the fact that my passion for collecting video games is intense. When I was 28 years old, I had this realization, the feeling that I am starting to outgrew them and starting to feel uncomfortable owning too many games. On that same day, I started to declutter them. My first attempt was a bit lame because I only disregard a few games (I think around 10 games) all are Gundam titles. I gave all my Gundam titles to a friend. A few weeks after, I tried again to declutter. This time, I declutter a lot of games such as Winning Eleven and Proyakyu (Baseball) titles. I handed it over to a friend.
On the third time, I was able to declutter prominent titles, such as Metal Gear and Silent Hill. I was able to sell it in an event which I earned a few thousands pesos. On my fourth declutter, I was able to donate it to a fellow video game collector who is living nearby. As for BEMANI merchandise and controllers, I am selling it in a group at Facebook.

My video game collection (circa Jan 2012)

While I am decluttering games, I am starting pile a number of game soundtracks, good thing I was sell it some of it right away. Aside from video games, I also sold my Gunpla kits to a close friend in cheap deal.

I also started collecting action figures, most of them are no longer in my possession (circa June 2012)

Currently, All I have are BEMANI titles (mostly from PlayStation 1 ~ 2) Artist albums from BEMANI (Some of them are for sale though), BEMANI actions figures, and a two Gunpla kits with a Jehuty revoltech figure from ZONE OF THE ENDERS .

Games I have in 2020

From what I have learned from this, It's good to be a collector, but collect on things that you are really passionate of. Being impulsive in collecting has repercussions in terms of household space, emotional and monetary stress. If you think its time to let go of your things; give it to a friend or better sell it. Right now, I am being selective, if I buy some thing; either I replace it on existing item or its for sale.

My soundtracks left

By the way, as of posting, Metro Manila is currently in Enhanced Community Quarantine due to COVID-19 pandemic.