What is Stepmania?

lxDestinyxl · 02-21-2009, 07:01 PM

What is Stepmania?

Stepmania is a free rhythm based game. It was originally developed as a simulator for Konami's popular arcade game series Dance Dance Revolution.
It involves gameplay similarly portrayed here on FFR.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

What are the differences between Stepmania and FFR?

The differences are mainly depicted by the features of each game, rather than the gameplay.

* Stepmania can allow an upward scroll or reverse scroll. This option will make all arrows scroll from the bottom of the screen vertically to the top [upward scroll], or from the top of the screen vertically to the bottom [reverse scroll]. FFR is compatible with the following scrolling methods:

1. Left scroll:
Selecting this option will make all arrows scroll from the right side of the screen horizontally toward the left.

2. Right scroll:
Selecting this option will make all arrows scroll from the left side of the screen horizontally toward the right.

3. Reverse scroll:
Selecting this option will make all arrows scroll from the top of the screen vertically toward the bottom.

4. Standard scroll [Default]:
This scrolling option is used automatically if a different scroll method is not selected.
This option will make all arrows scroll from the bottom of the screen vertically to the top.

5. Diagonal scroll:
A unique scroll method that has the arrows scrolling from the top corners of the screen to the opposite bottom corners in a diagonal pattern.

* A comprehensive stepchart editor is available on Stepmania, where users are able to customise and create their own stepfile or simfile. Songs must be in .ogg or .mp3 format. Whilst users on FFR have the ability to produce songs from Stepmania, the song must be pended through judges specially allocated to analyse their material before making it into FFR. Songs on FFR have been checked for copyright issues and material, while Stepmania is prone to their copyright concerns. For this reason, Stepmania has no limit in its song keep.

Related links:

"How do I make a simfile (for FFR)?" - A guide
Copyright, Permission, Public Domain and You

* Modifiers are utilised in order to increase or decrease the rate of difficulty. Although the difference in the number of modifiers is very apparent, many are not frequently used.

Flash Flash Revolution

Stepmania

Other modifiers in Stepmania include judge difficulty, life bar and progressive bar difficulty, rate and battery life changes.

* Stepmania has noticeable timing differences. The default setting of Stepmania is a Perfect time frame, but this can be switched to enable Marvelous timing through the Machine options. The highest achievement you are able to attain on FFR is an AAA, where all perfect windows have been submitted by the player. However, the difference comes into Stepmania when the marvelous frame has been enabled.

The marvelous frame allows a user to attain a maximum grade of AAAA, the most outstanding result. Technically, an AAAAA (Quintuple A) is possible, only when a user has downloaded the Ridiculous Timing frame window.

This implementation will take precision to its finest.

* Stepmania has the ability to function multiple game types, such as solo and double. It is also able to function partial simulations of other dance games such as Pump it Up. Stepmania version 3.9 is restricted to the partial simulation, Pump it Up, while version 4.0 CVS is capable of supporting Pump it up, EZ 2 Dancer and Para Para Paradise simulations.

Where can I download Stepmania?

Currently out are versions 3.9, 3.95 and 4.0 CVS. Although 4.0 is the latest release from Stepmania, it is in its Beta stage and has its pros and cons. Many tend to choose version 3.9, for it is easier to edit songs and utilise the program. For online capabilities, refer to Stepmania 3.95 (SMO).

3.9 - Windows, Macintosh and Linux friendly

Stepmania 3.9 [Windows]
Stepmania 3.9 [Macintosh]
Stepmania 3.9 [Linux binary]
Stepmania 3.9 [Linux source]

3.95 - Windows, Macintosh and Linux friendly

Stepmania 3.95 [Windows]
Stepmania 3.95 [Macintosh]
Stepmania 3.95 [Linux]

4.0 - Windows, Macintosh and Linux friendly

Stepmania 4.0 [Windows]
Stepmania 4.0 [Macintosh]
Stepmania 4.0 [Linux]

How to add songs into Stepmania:

Note: The following images are of folders contained in Stepmania 3.9, however, the same principles may be adapted to install songs into Stepmania 4.0.

1. Download stepmania.

2. Open the Stepmania folder. You will be displayed with these folders:

3. Open the song folder. Create a new group, by creating a folder. Create a folder within the group for your songs. Copy all your files into your selected folder.

Example:

4. When downloading songs, you may be approached with .zip or .rar files. To extract the files from these sources, you must have the compatible program.

Download WinZip®
Download WinRAR®

5. Once extracted from another source, make sure that the folders approach the same guideline, otherwise you may expect to see an error message occur such as this:

Note: Make sure to visit the FFR Simfile Database for works submitted by users of FFR. Feel free to create your own and submit them here!

How do I edit, add or remove speedmods?

Extended, risk free method:

A detailed list of instructions regarding speedmod changes can be found here. Follow the instructions carefully and thoroughly to decrease risk of bugs and issues.

Simplified method:

You can refer to the simplified method instead, however the link is recommended for your benefit.

[Method coming soon]

Where can I get Stepmania song packs?

The following thread consists of a list of links for major released simfile packs:

http://www.flashflashrevolution.com/...ad.php?t=85955

Other sites include:

http://izzy.bemaniso.ws/StepMania%20Songs/

http://houkouonchi.net:8080/packs/

http://www.otakusdream.com/

http://www.groovestats.com/index.php?page=customsongs

http://bluexoon.com/

http://www.w0mb13.com/sm-index.html

Where can I download Stepmania themes

There are assorted themes in which you can download for Stepmania.

Here are some examples: [Click the picture to find more themes!]

Things to note:

* It may be obvious, but various themes are labelled as

or

.
* Check the compatibility of the themes.

Where can I download Stepmania noteskins?

There are assorted noteskins in which you can download for Stepmania.

Here are some examples: [Click the picture to find more noteskins!]

Have fun, explore and keep in touch with other Stepmania updates.
Questions or queries, contact me through MSN, email, AIM, PM or my FFR Profile.

Destiny

02-21-2009, 07:01 PM	#1
lxDestinyxl FFR Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 3,247	What is Stepmania? What is Stepmania? Stepmania is a free rhythm based game. It was originally developed as a simulator for Konami's popular arcade game series Dance Dance Revolution. It involves gameplay similarly portrayed here on FFR. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ What are the differences between Stepmania and FFR? The differences are mainly depicted by the features of each game, rather than the gameplay. * Stepmania can allow an upward scroll or reverse scroll. This option will make all arrows scroll from the bottom of the screen vertically to the top [upward scroll], or from the top of the screen vertically to the bottom [reverse scroll]. FFR is compatible with the following scrolling methods: 1. Left scroll: Selecting this option will make all arrows scroll from the right side of the screen horizontally toward the left. 2. Right scroll: Selecting this option will make all arrows scroll from the left side of the screen horizontally toward the right. 3. Reverse scroll: Selecting this option will make all arrows scroll from the top of the screen vertically toward the bottom. 4. Standard scroll [Default]: This scrolling option is used automatically if a different scroll method is not selected. This option will make all arrows scroll from the bottom of the screen vertically to the top. 5. Diagonal scroll: A unique scroll method that has the arrows scrolling from the top corners of the screen to the opposite bottom corners in a diagonal pattern. * A comprehensive stepchart editor is available on Stepmania, where users are able to customise and create their own stepfile or simfile. Songs must be in .ogg or .mp3 format. Whilst users on FFR have the ability to produce songs from Stepmania, the song must be pended through judges specially allocated to analyse their material before making it into FFR. Songs on FFR have been checked for copyright issues and material, while Stepmania is prone to their copyright concerns. For this reason, Stepmania has no limit in its song keep. Related links: "How do I make a simfile (for FFR)?" - A guide Copyright, Permission, Public Domain and You * Modifiers are utilised in order to increase or decrease the rate of difficulty. Although the difference in the number of modifiers is very apparent, many are not frequently used. Flash Flash Revolution Stepmania Other modifiers in Stepmania include judge difficulty, life bar and progressive bar difficulty, rate and battery life changes. * Stepmania has noticeable timing differences. The default setting of Stepmania is a Perfect time frame, but this can be switched to enable Marvelous timing through the Machine options. The highest achievement you are able to attain on FFR is an AAA, where all perfect windows have been submitted by the player. However, the difference comes into Stepmania when the marvelous frame has been enabled. The marvelous frame allows a user to attain a maximum grade of AAAA, the most outstanding result. Technically, an AAAAA (Quintuple A) is possible, only when a user has downloaded the Ridiculous Timing frame window. This implementation will take precision to its finest. * Stepmania has the ability to function multiple game types, such as solo and double. It is also able to function partial simulations of other dance games such as Pump it Up. Stepmania version 3.9 is restricted to the partial simulation, Pump it Up, while version 4.0 CVS is capable of supporting Pump it up, EZ 2 Dancer and Para Para Paradise simulations. Where can I download Stepmania? Currently out are versions 3.9, 3.95 and 4.0 CVS. Although 4.0 is the latest release from Stepmania, it is in its Beta stage and has its pros and cons. Many tend to choose version 3.9, for it is easier to edit songs and utilise the program. For online capabilities, refer to Stepmania 3.95 (SMO). 3.9 - Windows, Macintosh and Linux friendly Stepmania 3.9 [Windows] Stepmania 3.9 [Macintosh] Stepmania 3.9 [Linux binary] Stepmania 3.9 [Linux source] 3.95 - Windows, Macintosh and Linux friendly Stepmania 3.95 [Windows] Stepmania 3.95 [Macintosh] Stepmania 3.95 [Linux] 4.0 - Windows, Macintosh and Linux friendly Stepmania 4.0 [Windows] Stepmania 4.0 [Macintosh] Stepmania 4.0 [Linux] How to add songs into Stepmania: Note: The following images are of folders contained in Stepmania 3.9, however, the same principles may be adapted to install songs into Stepmania 4.0. 1. Download stepmania. 2. Open the Stepmania folder. You will be displayed with these folders: 3. Open the song folder. Create a new group, by creating a folder. Create a folder within the group for your songs. Copy all your files into your selected folder. Example: 4. When downloading songs, you may be approached with .zip or .rar files. To extract the files from these sources, you must have the compatible program. Download WinZip® Download WinRAR® 5. Once extracted from another source, make sure that the folders approach the same guideline, otherwise you may expect to see an error message occur such as this: Note: Make sure to visit the FFR Simfile Database for works submitted by users of FFR. Feel free to create your own and submit them here! How do I edit, add or remove speedmods? Extended, risk free method: A detailed list of instructions regarding speedmod changes can be found here. Follow the instructions carefully and thoroughly to decrease risk of bugs and issues. Simplified method: You can refer to the simplified method instead, however the link is recommended for your benefit. [Method coming soon] Where can I get Stepmania song packs? The following thread consists of a list of links for major released simfile packs: http://www.flashflashrevolution.com/...ad.php?t=85955 Other sites include: http://izzy.bemaniso.ws/StepMania%20Songs/ http://houkouonchi.net:8080/packs/ http://www.otakusdream.com/ http://www.groovestats.com/index.php?page=customsongs http://bluexoon.com/ http://www.w0mb13.com/sm-index.html Where can I download Stepmania themes There are assorted themes in which you can download for Stepmania. Here are some examples: [Click the picture to find more themes!] Things to note: * It may be obvious, but various themes are labelled as or . * Check the compatibility of the themes. Where can I download Stepmania noteskins? There are assorted noteskins in which you can download for Stepmania. Here are some examples: [Click the picture to find more noteskins!] Have fun, explore and keep in touch with other Stepmania updates. Questions or queries, contact me through MSN, email, AIM, PM or my FFR Profile. Destiny __________________ Last edited by lxDestinyxl; 03-21-2009 at 06:26 PM..

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