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THE iDOLM@STER (Arcade)

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This page details pre-release information and/or media for THE iDOLM@STER (Arcade).

To do:
There's still quite a lot more to talk about here, most notably Hibiki and Takane.

Development Timeline#

2001#

  • Development begins.

2002#

  • February - The idol character designs were commissioned to Toshiyuki Kubooka, an animation creator for the TV anime.
    • Kubooka was also designing characters for another Namco game, and through that connection, he also participated in The Idolmaster.
  • July - A 3DCG animation prototype is developed.
    • It is a 3D model of Amami Haruka's full body, with trial animation and voice clips added, and plays while text is displayed.
    • New voice actress Nakamura Eriko was hired to provide the voice clips for this prototype. Thanks to this connection, she was exempt from some of the tests in the subsequent official auditions.
    • At this point, the third person pronoun used when referring to the player was "manager." Even in the prototype voice clip, Amami Haruka calls the player "manager."
  • September 19-21 - The game, under the working title Idol Game, is showcased at the Amusement Machine Show, with the game being around only 2% done at this point in development.
    • The prototype developed in July was displayed almost exactly as it was. However, the third-person pronoun used to refer to the player was changed from "manager" to "producer." Voice clips and other content were also re-recorded.
    • A guide board displayed at the show featured Hibiki and Takane. They were subsequently removed from the game's implementation plans at some point leading up to the voice actor selection in December. The developer's official response was that "due to data capacity limitations, we had no choice but to scrap them."
  • December - Selection of voice actors was conducted and the voice actors were decided.
  • December - Composition of idol songs used in the game has begun.

2003#

  • Recording of voice actors' performances has begun. Music and scenarios were recorded.
  • September - A video of "THE IDOLM@STER" is exhibited at the Amusement Machine Show.
    • This was a promotional video set to a 3DCG video of the song "THE IDOLM@STER" (See the video at the bottom of the article.)
    • At this point, the 3DCG aspects were almost complete, and further development was focused on the game's training system and network battle system.

2004#

  • Original planned release year. In reality, the release was delayed for about a year due to delays in the development of the game's system.
  • February - The Idolmaster is exhibited as a prototype at Amusement Expo.
    • Four completed cabinets and a central unit are displayed here, allowing visitors to experience a training system close to the final version and enjoy a live music performance.
    • At this point, development was 20% complete.
  • September - The Idolmaster video was exhibited at the Amusement Machine Show.
    • The video introduced the game's overall functions and system, and showcased 3D CG for almost all of the songs. (Video available at the bottom of the article)
  • December 17-19 - The first location test (public test) was held.
    • The tests were conducted at Namco's directly operated amusement facilities, Plabo Nakano in Tokyo and Plabo Tsurumi in Kanagawa Prefecture.
    • The version released here included the so-called "Z ending."

2005#

  • January 28-30 - The second location test was held on.
    • The second event was held at Saint Tropez Ikebukuro in Tokyo and Plabo Sennichimae in Osaka. Both stores were connected by communication lines, and a network battle system was also tested in remote locations.
  • February - At the Amusement Expo, the same cabinet used in the location test is exhibited as a demo machine.
  • June 9-12 - The final location test took place.
    • The venues were Plabo Nakano in Tokyo and Wonder Park Hakata in Fukuoka.
    • This test tested the mobile network connectivity of so-called "feature phones." By registering their mobile phone email address with the Idolmaster service, users could enjoy services such as downloading screenshots taken in the game and receiving emails from characters.
  • July 26 - The game is released along with H@PPENING LOC@TION.

Amusement Machine Show 2003#

Trailer#

Watch on YouTubeThroughout the PV, an early version of the game's logo can be seen.

Amusement Expo 2004#

Trailer#

Watch on YouTube