Is this the future of beatmania?

Okay, this is important stuff, this is what we were talking about. One of our friends saw a page about this on Konami’s web site, but for some reason it was quickly taken down so we don’t know if this is real or not, but what we now know is this, there will be no CS version of Sirius.However, this new page contained many references “beatmania IIDX CONNECT”, which according to the page is an “instant action music experience game”, which we are assuming in accordance with the rest of the page, means this is going to be an online version of beatmania for PC’s. The choice of name also seems to suggest there might be some multiplayer components too.

The page mentioned that there will be a free version of the game with limited music, and “EXCLUSIVE MUSICS” and unlockable items will be available through a sort of cash shop system and through integration over e-AMUSEMENT with the arcade versions. There were also references made to a “new sequence mode”, and what seems to be a future bundle which will include the game, all the songs from beatmania IIDX 17, a USB “classic controller”, and references to the possibility of future bundle discs. Could this be the new way they’ll be distributing styles? As a sort of “module” for CONNECT? There were also references to a currently untitled wac album as a pre-order offering, but we’re not quite sure.

We do not exactly know why it’s like this, yet, although it strangely seems to be employing the model that many Korean games have followed, especially DJMAX, it’s suspicious to say the least.

If we receive any updates on this, we will post them A.S.A.P.

Update @ 10:35am:

Yes, the “new sequence mode” is looking alot like the DJMAX “flank” layout, just as we suspected. We might get screenshots soon, we have learned that someone, wishing to remain anonymous, is in a closed beta test of CONNECT and may be able to leak us a screenshot.

Update 2:

More info/screenshots