DDR X2 (AC) (International)

Since we're going back to unlock codes (for now), I started thinking about the Replicant-D Action and the medal system. Without e-Amuse profiles to save them too, are they stored on the machine and passed on to the next player?

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It might be possible that they'll just remove the RDA system entirely, but I sure as hell hope they don't. Maybe they would have it so that unlocks are stored in the machine for RDA only.

They should revert back to the old DDRMAX2 style unlock system. Play more to unlock more.

I'm sure arcade owners hated that system. If an arcade down the road had a Max 2 with more songs unlocked, then you could potentialy lose a lot of custom. Imagine a place like Trocadero, where they have 3 Max 2s, and only one of them has Burning Heat unlocked. The other 2 machines are therefore inferior, and not really worth grinding Dance Points on. Everyone just wants to play the machines with the most unlocks, so that it'll get Kakmuei quicker.

Since this is a IIDX inspired Extra Stage system, I'm guessing offline machines will not have the RDA system as IIDX arcade machines only offer the special system with online-enabled machines.
Although, I really hope they won't do this. Even though we know what all the RDA songs are, it would be nice to see some sort of event be able to take place on the machine.

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Could they do a timed unlock. Have the machine for X number of weeks to unlock stuff?

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Most arcades won't have multiple amounts of the same machine nowadays.

Just change the internal clock.

Maybe, instead of X-number-of-weeks-equals-unlock, it could be more of a X-number-of-hours-in-use? The machine would time how long it would be on menus and in the game, and when it passes a certain point, a song or course or something could be unlocked. That way, the game's internal clock can't be tampered with in order to unlock some songs or difficulties or what-have-you, but it would still be a time-based unlock.

I guess the time unlocks will not works on an offline machine. Only the unlock codes will do the job...

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In this case, what would happen if someone bought a DDR X2 machine well after a competing arcade? Or what if a machine had to be reset?

The problem with most of these "non-online" E-amuse systems is that all of them could be easily bypassed. It's why E-amuse needs a card and internet-connection in the first place, because those things can't be forged.

People who are suggesting USB E-amuse, let me propose this scenario: You've been playing DDR X2 for months building up your enjoy level, timing your PiX throws perfectly, and finally you've unlocked all the content you can for your profile...

... and someone's already posted their "all-songs-unlocked" data file for people to copy to their own USBs. Kinda kills the competitive aspect, non? Even if it didn't worry you, there'd be plenty of people out there who would be incredibly annoyed if USB unlock profiles came out and were instantly cheapened as such.

(this isn't to say it's a bad idea for scoring purposes, but that's a different kettle entirely)

With this, The same thing would happen with the Max2 and multiple arcade scenario above somewhere up there ^.

With the USB "Full Save" file, just have it write to the card like Pump does. You aren't able to interchange data from card to card.

Well the "Player unlock system" was one of the most popular because it got a lot of players on the machine in an attempt to get all the songs available to them, yes arcades missed out if everyone went to one machine but thats whats the operator unlock codes were for! so machines that didnt get much play could be unlocked and thus drag back some of the player custom, not that UK arcade operators care anyway there were 3 extreme cabinets in ingoldmells a few years ago, 2 were unlocked completely but with bad pads, one was locked but loud and great pads.

Unfortunately the manager didnt care about the 15 extra songs you get from unlocking it and refused point blank to unlock it despite the fact there were about 30 or so players wanting to use his machine.

As we know we wont get usb unlocks now we'll just have to cope with unlock codes but as long as they get spaced apart well enough it'll be fine. Hopefully we'll get e-amuse or usb unlocks in X3 or whatever the equivalent is (And hopefully an edit mode that isnt AWFUL)

Maybe we could just get e-amuse full stop. Can't seem to understand why trocodero spend so much money to get the machine and then go cheapskate on what makes the machine a big selling point. Should learn from arcades where e-amuse is enabled to see how much it contributes toward building a community around that machine.

As our friend ddrencoremyst said on page 271 of this very topic, E-amuse would be unprofitable for arcades. Arcades would have to invest in both a constant internet connection and a server fee for a paltry increase in -one game-'s revenue. It's feasible in Japan, where along with half a dozen active Konami game series, the newness of a game is crucial to its frequency-of-play and thus X2 needs to appear "updated" every few weeks or so. In the US, where the hardcore fanbase is already split between Extreme and ITG? Not so feasible.

clearly not what Elmer was talking about

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Trocadero in the UK would make perfect sense for e-AMUSEMENT, unfortunately for 98%+ of other arcades it's not worth it.

Not if the machine is pretty much useless, like it is right now. I never saw anyone play on it for the whole time I was there, on a busy Saturday.

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Yeah, i'm always the only one using it, especially with the SuperNOVA returning to the upstairs reclaiming its previous place. and to be honest i feel like playing supernova again rather than X2 next time i'm there

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The whole cost thing is the reason Konami is reworking the e-amusement structure, even in Japan. Most of the cost incurred when getting e-amusement is spent on the router you need to connect to the service, and then static IP + $50 a month for the service itself. When I was at the playtest the other day I spoke with the VP of Amusements for Konami and he point blank told me that they're changing the service (even in japan) to no longer need the router or static IP with the hopes that lower cost will make it more attractive to arcade owners. And with there not being any necessary hardware to purchase, Konami wouldn't need a partner to distribute the routers and such.

Still not a guarantee that we'll see it, but it's most definitely a step in the right direction for a worldwide rollout.