How BEMANI gamers in the Philippines cope up with the pandemic

Almost a year since the Community Quarantine took place in the Philippines due to COVID-19 virus. Entertainment and Recreation establishments are still closed in most places especially in Metro Manila. How arcade goers cope up with pandemic? They bring the game at home, as simple as that! The first BEMANI game that ported to household consumers was first beatmania game in 1997. Since then, it evolved and ported to different consoles, created PC Simulators until KONAMI released an official PC and cloud game service, and mobile app game for Android and iOS. 

I have some friends who play their favorite arcade games thru simulator or console, so I asked my friends to share their game setup or current gameplay at home.

First, a friend from McYongers ordered a customized DDR setup at home thru local DDR pad maker (NUSHATV). He regularly shares his DDR gameplay in his Instagram and Facebook account. Aside from DDR, he has a Yamaha DTXplorer drum kit for drummania simulator. 

credit: McYongers

Also my friend from A Tokyo in Manila shares his way in coping up with the pandemic by playing his beatmania DJ STATION PRO in his PlayStation 2 console. He also have a pop'n music Arcade Style Controller which he loves to play! 

credit: A Tokyo in Manila

My friend with the initials GCOG took a photo of his beatmaniaIIDX controller (from DJDAO) during his downtime at home. He is currently working from home, so after struggle, he can instantly replace his WFH PC keyboard into a IIDX controller! By the way, he recently bought a DDR pad to his arsenal.

credit: GCOG

As for myself, I have different kinds of BEMANI controllers at home, I livestream my gameplay in Facebook page, but recently, I am digging in to pop'n music from PS2. The current pop'n music arcade cabinet (Fantasia?) we have is somewhere in Mindanao(I think?). 

pop'n music 11 with pop'n music ASC

The advantage of playing games at the comforts of your home is, you are safe while you enjoy the game, kills boredom, and cheap of course! 

Currently, only a handful of Game Centers are open nationwide, mostly from areas with lighter restrictions and some from Metro Manila with a green light from the City Government. As vaccination roll out is taking place around the world, I really hope that this pandemic ends soon. As everyone is really wanting to return to pre-pandemic lifestyle, with no mask and shields to wear, no curfews to consider, and go places without limitations.