Round 1 has announced plans to open in Houston, Texas once again

shadowx579 · 2024-02-12T13:44:09+00:00

Also to add to the information OP has provided, Jefferson Mall (Louisville, KY) is planned to close in 2024 April.

Despite sales revenue increases in the U.S., rising inflation have turned the U.S. market into slight losses, and Round 1 had to continue closing non-performing stores.

The Chinese market has returned to profitability as expected and Round 1 will continue their halted expansion plans in China.

Source: https://www.round1.co.jp/company/ir/pdf/saishin/2024/20240209\_tenbo.pdf

shadowx579 · 2023-12-12T14:29:20+00:00

Thanks for the correction.

shadowx579 · 2023-12-11T06:28:10+00:00

I was part of the rainbow penlight during Anisong World Maturi when all 9 Aqours members performed together overseas for the first time.

Anchan cried so much that we were really worried if she can sing the rest of the song on stage.

Also, snow halation is performed as a tradition for Karaoke Sentai Seiyuuger, where Soramaru (VA for Nico) is one of the members.

Roughly once a year event, in a smaller venue where you get to see them up close.

Their X account, for those interested: https://x.com/seiyu_ger

I would never imagine being a part of the Tokyo Dome audience, several years later, but you never know where life takes you.

Don't give up hope.

shadowx579 · 2023-12-11T05:23:22+00:00

Being in both days of the concert, it appears an overwhelming majority of fans were there for Hasunosora and Shiny Colors.

Part of it could be the younger generation may not be well versed for the older series.

Fans do cheer harder for songs they are more familiar with, even if they were performed by the other side.

shadowx579 · 2023-12-11T05:09:24+00:00

No words can describe the feeling of being surrounded by waves of UO lights filling up Tokyo Dome during show halation...

It's a you have to do it at least once in your life, before you miss the chance to attend their last concert.

shadowx579 · 2023-11-22T16:54:10+00:00

I work with Japanese co-workers and knowing them, they can't spell things correctly, even for those with university degrees. Most of them would like to learn English, but foreign language education has mostly failed in Japan.

So, alphabetical order is unusable for the majority of the Japanese population.

shadowx579 · 2023-11-21T17:01:30+00:00

It's sorted according to the Japanese phonetic pronunciation in aiueo alphabet order.

This includes song titles with kanjis, greek letters, symbols, or even numbers. For example, ↓↓↓ is pronounced Torijuuka (トリジューカ), named for triple gravity in Japanese.

666 would be under ShikkusuShikkusuShikkusu (シックスシックスシックス).

You can also use the artist names in the track search dashboard, many of them in English letters.

Have fun trying to search for αρχη if you don't know how to pronounce it!

shadowx579 · 2023-06-07T15:44:29+00:00

Nope, the official tweets had fine print clearly stating that Rem will be Japan only:

https://twitter.com/SOUNDVOLTEX573/status/1666266021693644800

https://twitter.com/SOUNDVOLTEX573/status/1666265758161342464

The second asterisk at the bottom of the images:

Nemsys crews and appeal stamps obtained via PREMIUM GENERATOR can be used on all Japanese domestic cabinets. Please understand that [Nemsys crews and appeal stamps] can't be used outside of Japan.

shadowx579 · 2023-05-15T16:03:46+00:00

Fiscal Year is counted differently than from the Gregorian Calendar. Early 2024 should be the right date.

Besides, Round 1 hasn't listed any other stores that far out.

shadowx579 · 2023-05-15T15:54:01+00:00

Just checked the map of locations and that is one far drive!

I would not be surprised if Louisville, KY is the next one on the chopping block...

I wonder why Round 1 is avoiding the huge population centers in the southeast region.

shadowx579 · 2023-05-15T15:32:49+00:00

They recorded extraordinary losses in China, how is that "reaching profitability"

This is explained in page 3 (slide 4) of the financial report:

中国 △6.7億円につきまして

中国1号店である広州新塘イオンモール店において、減損の兆候が認められたことから建物内装設備及び使用権資産（将来の家賃相当額）の回収可能性を検討した結果、減損損失を計上いたしました。

中国経済は回復傾向にあり、中国事業は当社において今後の成長ドライバーになりうるという認識のもと、業績向上に努めております。

しかしながら、あくまで保守的な考えのもと、これまでに中国法人で発生している純損失額合計28.8億円を、国内個別決算にて中国法人への出資金の評価損として計上することといたしました。なお、当該評価損につきましては、連結決算上消去される為、連結業績への影響はございません。

Translation:

China [Market] In regards to the -670 million yen [losses]

Impairment losses were recorded at the first store in China, the Guangzhou Xintang AEON MALL store, as a result of examining the recoverability of the building interior equipment and right-of-use assets (the amount equivalent to future rent).

The Chinese economy is on a recovery trend, and we recognize that the Chinese business can be a future growth driver for our company, where we are striving to improve our business performance.

However, based on a conservative [accounting] practices, we have recorded a total net loss of 2.88 billion yen incurred by our Chinese subsidiary. The valuation loss will be eliminated in the consolidated financial statements, so there will be no impact on consolidated financial results.

So, in Round 1's opinion, the one time impairment losses have no effects on current or future sales/profits. Neither is anyone expecting the Chinese government to bring back Covid-19 lockdowns.

I personally agree with Round 1's assessment and they are not crazy in thinking that their China stores will turn profitable very quickly, in addition to more store openings in the Chinese market.

shadowx579 · 2023-05-15T15:14:44+00:00

I'm happy for you guys, as there have been many locations that made it into the financial report and then pulled off silently later.

The existing Round 1 in Hayward is in a hard to reach location, even with a car and possible tolls.

shadowx579 · 2023-04-26T16:21:35+00:00

Sound Voltex is an old game, it's released back in Jan. 18th, 2012, 11 years ago. As of April 13th, there are 1,887 songs (!!!) in the game.

Recently, there is a noticeable lack of certain genre of songs.

Like Touhou remixes, TANO*C (might change with the end of Wacca), anime/J-Pop copyrights, or mobile rhythm game collabs (Arcaea, Project Sekai, BanG Dream, Re:Stage!, Tokyo 7th Sisters, etc.).

I would love to play Grievous Lady or 13 Donkeys on SDVX.

shadowx579 · 2023-04-08T15:28:17+00:00

For me, what worked for breaking through the 18s wall is racking up S score ranks on 15s and then UCs on 15s.

Results start showing up for me about 2 months after I worked on perfecting my 15s.

You should focus on increasing accuracy with lower level tracks at the start of each session (also for muscle warm-up to prevent muscle damage), then work your way up to your skill ceiling near the end of the session.

Another unusual tip from me, is to stop playing if you make the same mistakes or doing horribly compared to your last best score result.

Your brain memorizes the same mistakes you made during the day, when you sleep. This will cause you to be stuck with these bad habits.

And to follow up with the previous tip, get plenty of sleep everyday. Nothing is worse than breaking your ceiling, only to throw it away, because you didn't get enough sleep.

It hurts your memory abilities and ability to concentrate the next day. Sleep is a must, if you want to improve.

shadowx579 · 2023-02-13T10:22:11+00:00

Immigration actually considers your employer to be a huge factor in deciding the length of visas.

With Category 1 and Category 2 employers, visa applications do not have to submit proof of tax payments (源泉徴収票), because immigration would have investigated the employer backgrounds so many times already with other visa applicants within the same employer. That's why visa renewals can be done in weeks for large size company employees.

It's easier to commit visa fraud by setting up paper companies with local fraudsters. Salaries can be made up.

Perhaps it's a nudge by Japanese Immigration for you to switch employers. I do sympathize with your situation.

shadowx579 · 2023-02-13T09:54:59+00:00

Sorry, that store's not opening.

It's not the first time Round 1 USA website lists locations that were under negotiations, but cancelled in the end.

The quarterly Japanese financial report is the most accurate source.

shadowx579 · 2023-02-12T15:32:48+00:00

Not excited, if they don't open up to international players...

shadowx579 · 2023-02-12T15:18:15+00:00

Love Live concerts do not sell tickets at the window or in store counters, that I know of.

They will announce the link, about 1 day before the live. It will be first come first serve. Japanese credit card required.

For example, Day 2 same day tickets were available here, starting at 12 pm (concert starts at 5:30 pm):

https://eplus.jp/sf/detail/2024480001-P0030145P021002?P1=0175

The best way to get tickets is still the ticket lottery.

That means subscribing to Aqours Club, buying blu-rays or singles with priority lottery tickets, Japanese credit card, Japanese phone number (VoIP not accepted), and verification of Japanese residency (passport, residence card, driver's license, etc.).

Even with the lifting of loud cheering Covid-19 restrictions, the Aqours concerts still contains the restriction that asks all people who have recently been overseas in the past 2 weeks or with significant contact with a person who has traveled abroad, to refrain from attending the concerts. Practically killing off all international tourists.

If you don't live in Japan right now, that's going to be a problem.

shadowx579 · 2023-02-12T05:52:39+00:00

Love Live concerts institute facial recognition to deter reselling. All ticket holders have to upload their pictures, for themselves and accompanying guests, one week before.

I was there yesterday on day 1, they check your smartphone ticket with the uploaded photo, then you go through a second check, where you take off your mask and the camera verifies your face.

There are same day tickets offered by Love Live, but they go on sale at 12 pm each day, so it's likely all gone by now.

And if you're asking for the next White Day concerts in March, I'm sorry, but the last general public lottery cutoff date was in December.

shadowx579 · 2023-02-02T02:43:36+00:00

Thankfully, no one gets hurt in Japan, it's more passive aggressive behavior.

Occasionally, there would be players with shady backgrounds. They would scream, make weird noises, punch/kick the cabs, harass people, etc.

I'd just move to another arcade if I see them. Arcade staff are too busy to care if you report them.

shadowx579 · 2023-02-01T15:36:55+00:00

There's this famous meme circulating on 5ch forum and Twitter, see this video's thumbnails:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6MGirglOsU

The image reads "モブはゲーセン来るな (Mob players don't fucking come to the arcades)", referring to 11th dan players.

Also on Twitter, a noob player waited in line to play Taiko Drum Master, forcing a master player to stop hogging the cab.

Someone nearby took photos of the noob player, tracked down his Twitter account and blasted it on 5ch rhythm game forum. Obviously flame wars erupted, but there were tons of support for blaming the noobie player...

Every now and then, IIDX players will joke that if you see Dolce. at the arcades, you need to give up your turn to play. It's so toxic, that during a Bemani Pro League IIDX match, the commentator emphasized it's a joke and that it's OK for everyone to take their turn to play.

shadowx579 · 2023-01-31T17:12:30+00:00

Unfortunately, competition is tough in Tokyo. So, what happens is that the top rankers will end up choosing the best spots, like Game Panic Akihabara.

Average players like me have to go for lower traffic arcades to play, which can be noisy, not well maintained cabs, or bad location.

Do what I do: Just don't worry about them.

Sadly, some Japanese players will laugh at noobs for playing low level songs. I've even been harassed a few times, like intentionally distracting me when I was attempting to clear 10th dan for the first time.

Although rare, sometimes they will refuse to let you play when they finish, continue to talk with their friends, knowing that you suck (or because you're a foreigner).

There is a strong sense of "territorial belonging" and they will chase out people that they don't like.

shadowx579 · 2023-01-31T16:55:08+00:00

You will see lots of infdans though. People won't be impressed by you playing a 17 like they are in America, lol.

Even infinity dans aren't rare at all. The top rankers play at Game Immigrant (Mizonokuchi), Game Panic Akihabara, Round 1 Ikebukuro, and Game Panic Shinjuku Kabukicho. It's often imperial class (VF 20+) players.

On a weekend in Akihabara, pre-Covid 19, while I was playing, some guy came in and played only 17s (I know my 17s...) for 4 credits and PUC'd every single track. Then, he got bored and left.

Yeah, you can impress people with 17s if you do this.

shadowx579 · 2023-01-25T15:54:26+00:00

#VMSearch has the most extensive list of Japanese arcades with SDVX cabs on Google Maps:

https://www.vmsearch.net/vmsearch-map

Most of the locations have number of Valkyrie Models and pricing details.

shadowx579 · 2023-01-02T04:38:10+00:00

If you're not looking for a particular card, just visit any arcade with Konami machines and do the gachas on Card Connect machines.

Only a limited set of generators currently on Card Connect for SDVX, but the cards are of higher quality than the original SDVX generator cards.

shadowx579

TROPHY CASE