Generally speaking, I like music and video games.
Rhythm Games
I have been driving 100 miles to my nearest maimai dx arcade twice a week since 2024-11 and I indulge and devour the vocaloid folder. maimai has become a significant and irreplacable part of my entertainment. I am also fortunate enough to be around an inclusive and friendly local social circle around this game, as well as making many friends beyond the game itself.
I have heard that SEGA will officially bring maimai dx to the US in 2025 fall, here’s copium. I probably will just drive to Round1 daily after work if that happens. I am also planning to get my hands on an adxlite (coming soon™️️) for majdata charts, and possibly mod the buttons to make it feel nearly as good.
I also do a bit of other rhythm games especially if they have vocaloid songs/covers such as ユメステ and プロセカ, but none is nearly as fun as maimai.
burnout, and prevention
I once had a blast with Arcaea, but it turned into a burnout, and I was at fault.
One of the features about rhythm games is its instantaneous feedback loop - from each note to your ratings/potential/volforce. You time it well, it rewards you with a Perfect. You time the song well, it rewards you with an All Perfect. It is rewarding, yet you need to be fully aware on what makes you think the game is fun. When the focus shifts further from enjoying the rhythm to chasing the next rating or title, the point-of-fun changes from “great songs that I can vibe to” to “I need to grind this chart up to SSS+, " which is often not as worthwhile in hindsight.
That’s not to say chasing goals in rhythm games is bad - it can be very fulfilling. If reaching a milestone makes you think it’s worth it, go for it. What I would like to convey is that, it’s worth checking in with yourself if you are still having fun. If the answer is yes, stretch for that fruit. If the answer is no, maybe it’s time to just vibe along.
Just play some good songs and lose yourself in it; only chase after weighing on the fun scale.
Music
To me, music is like a drug that for some reasons is legal. My favorites lie in EDM (Trance, House, Techno) and part of J-pop (and if you consider vocaloid as a genre, tick that and prepend it).
I buy albums to fulfill my materialism needs as well as a nod to their work.
albums I love
かいりきベア - ダーリンシンドローム (2021)
雄之助 - Tranquilizer (2023)
ツユ - 貴方を不幸に誘いますね (2021)
DECO*27 - アンドロイドガール (2019)
MIMI - よるつむぎ (2023)
albums I like
25時、ナイトコードで。 - エンパープル／化けの花 (2025)
Astral Sky vs. 非可逆リズム - SUPERNOV∀ (2020)
Awairo - グラデーション (2025)
Ayase - 幽霊東京 (2019)
Chinozo - The Hollows (2024)
DECO*27 - GHOST (2016)
DECO*27 - Mannequin (2022)
DECO*27 - TRANSFORM (2024)
DECO*27 - アンデッドアリス (2020)
Kanaria - KING (2020)
Lena Raine - Celeste Original Soundtrack (2018)
Masakazu Sugimori - Ghost Trick Phantom Detective Original Sound Track (2010)
MIMI - 夜をだきしめる時。(2025)
Orangestar - And So Henceforth (2023)
uma vs. モリモリあつし - Re End of a Dream (2019)
Yonder Voice - 星月トラジコメディー (2017)
Yonder Voice - 花月夜 (2014)
いよわ - わたしのヘリテージ (2021)
かいりきベア - バグエフェクト (2025)
ツユ - やっぱり雨は降るんだね (2020)
トゲナシトゲアリ - 雑踏、僕らの街 (2024)
ピノキオピー - PINOCCHIOP BEST ALBUM 2009-2020 寿 (2021)
初音ミク - HATSUNE MIKU EXPO 5th Anniversary E.P (2019)
星街すいせい - 新星目録 (2025)
花譜 - 寓話 (2024)
雄之助 - Vanguard (2024)
Other Games
Besides rhythm games, I also enjoy: platformers (metroidvania), pixel graphics, roguelike/lite, adventure/exploration, bullet hell, automation, strategy (not puzzle), space. Action games in general. But I have been devoting almost all my leisure for either maimai or career growth for now.