THE iDOLM@STER SideM LIVE ON ST@GE! (Japanese: アイドルマスター SideM LIVE ON ST@GE！, commonly abbreviated as Emusute or LOS) is a rhythm and simulation video game for mobile devices developed by Akatsuki and published by BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment. The game is part of THE iDOLM@STER franchise, specifically the SideM series that focuses on male idols. Released on August 30, 2017 for the iOS and Android platforms, the game carries the genre of a "dramatic idol training live game" and operates on a free-to-play model that provides in-app item purchases.
As an adaptation of the social game THE iDOLM@STER SideM, the game allows players to take the role of a producer at the agency 315 Production. The player's task is to scout, train, and form units of male idols with diverse backgrounds, ranging from professionals such as doctors and former military members to students and part-time workers, in order to reach the peak of popularity as top idols.
History and Development
The existence of this game was first announced to the public at the concert event "THE iDOLM@STER SideM 2nd STAGE ～ORIGIN@L STARS～" held on February 11, 2017. At that time, a first promotional video introducing this new game project was played. This news naturally sparked high enthusiasm from fans who had long followed the SideM series.
Development of the game continued, and further information about the game system was revealed through a live broadcast on June 7, 2017. The second promotional video shown at that time confirmed that the idols in the game would be rendered in 3D graphics. However, its official status as a rhythm game was only confirmed later. On July 15, 2017, a third promotional video was launched and officially began the pre-registration campaign for the game. This campaign, named the "315 Campaign", succeeded in attracting large participation from prospective players. The number of pre-registrations exceeded 315,000 and even 500,000, which was then rewarded with the release of music videos for the songs "STARLIGHT CELEBRATE!" and "BRAND NEW FIELD" as a form of appreciation.
After a long waiting period, the game was finally officially launched on August 30, 2017, at 3:15 p.m. Japan time. This launch marked a new chapter for the SideM series, in which fans could now interact more deeply with their favorite idols through an interactive rhythm game.
Unfortunately, on December 18, 2020, the developer and publisher made a surprising announcement that the game would cease operations. In a special broadcast, it was stated that the game would undergo a reduction in operational scale starting in January 2021, with a focus on repeating old events. The decision to end the service was taken after an internal evaluation that concluded it was difficult to maintain the quality expected by players with the development structure existing at that time. As part of the closure process, the feature of purchasing items with premium currency was stopped in March 2021, and the official game service ended on August 31, 2021. Even so, the legacy of this game continues to live on; players were given the opportunity to transfer their card data to the original social game, THE iDOLM@STER SideM, while a successor game titled THE iDOLM@STER SideM GROWING STARS was launched in October 2021 to continue the spirit of SideM in the rhythm game space.
Game System
Basic Concept
The game is built on three main pillars: scouting, development, and live performances. Players take the role of a producer at 315 Production, tasked with discovering male idol talents on the streets. After being scouted, these idols can be formed into units according to the producer's wishes, with each idol having a unique personality and story background.
Produce Feature
Produce mode is the core of the playing experience. In this mode, players choose a story and an idol unit that will be trained. This process is presented like a visual novel in which players follow the storyline before entering a series of work (business) sessions that last for six rounds. These activities serve to increase the idols' statistics and strengthen the bonds among them. The end of the produce process is a live performance, in which the results of training are tested.
Live Performances
The rhythm game aspect of LIVE ON ST@GE! appears in Live mode. There are two ways to access this mode: as the climax of a produce session, or through the "315 Live" menu that can be played at any time by consuming Live points (LP).
One of the most unique characteristics of this game is its control system that uses only one button. Unlike typical rhythm games that have many note lanes, players simply tap anywhere on the screen (except the pause button) in time with the song's rhythm. There are no swipe notes or long notes, so the basic mechanism is very simple. Difficulty is divided into several levels, such as DEBUT, REGULAR, and PRO, which affect the complexity of the note patterns.
Because there is no life bar or lives mechanism, players will not be considered to have failed even if many notes are missed. This makes the game very beginner-friendly for those who want to enjoy the music without pressure. However, for experienced players, this one-button system is considered insufficiently challenging. In addition, some players reported that detection for swipe notes sometimes felt less accurate, making it difficult to obtain a perfect rating. Although simple, the game displays 3D graphics of the idols dancing on stage, making it a visually appealing presentation.
Music and Content
The game launched carrying 16 songs, including the iconic SideM song "Beyond The Dream" as well as the theme songs of each unit existing at the time. The song list continued to grow over time with the addition of songs from album series such as "ST@RING LINE", "2nd ANNIVERSARY DISC", and "ORIGIN@L PIECES". Songs from the anime adaptation as well as the "WORLD TRE@SURE" series were also included. To unlock some songs, players had to reach a certain level or use special items.
Cards are an important element in the game. There are various rarity levels, with SSR cards and some SR cards appearing with exclusive costumes for live performances as well as special animations. The gacha (scout) system allows players to obtain new cards by using premium currency such as M Stars or producer points (PP). Seasonal events were also regularly held, in which players could compete to collect points through produce and live modes in order to obtain exclusive rewards, such as limited-edition cards.
Reception and Legacy
Overall, THE iDOLM@STER SideM LIVE ON ST@GE! received mixed responses from players. The positive aspects most often praised were the very good music quality and the SideM characters beloved by fans. The 3D visuals of the idols performing on stage were also regarded as an appealing feature. However, the one-button rhythm game system became the main focus of criticism. Many considered it too simple, even "boring," especially for those accustomed to more complex rhythm games such as THE iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls: Starlight Stage. The 3D models were also considered less detailed compared with similar games in the same series.
Although it had weaknesses in terms of game mechanics, LIVE ON ST@GE! succeeded in playing an important role in the SideM ecosystem. The game became a bridge for fans to enjoy SideM content in a more interactive and modern format. Players remained loyal in supporting the game until the end of its life, and even after its closure, its spirit was carried on through the SideM GROWING STARS game. Today, the legacy of LIVE ON ST@GE! is remembered as an important first step in the evolution of the SideM series on the mobile platform, and its contribution to the development of the fan base continues to be remembered through the SideM 10th anniversary celebration that continues with various Blu-ray releases and concerts.
References
Wikipedia bahasa Indonesia. "偶像大師 SideM 獻唱舞台！"
Wikipedia bahasa Jepang. "アイドルマスター SideM LIVE ON ST@GE!"
QooApp. "THE iDOLM@STER SideM: LIVE ON ST@GE! Japanese Review(s)."
Moegirl. "偶像大师 SideM LIVE ON ST@GE!."
"THE IDOLM@STER SideM 10th ANNIVERSARY ST@GE～P@SSION-ING!!!～ LIVE Blu-ray 発売記念！チアリング上映会 開催決定！"
"THE IDOLM@STER SideM 10th ANNIVERSARY ST@GE ～P@SSION-ING!!!～ LIVE Blu-ray【初回限定版】"
IMDb. "The Idolmaster Side M: Live on Stage! (Video Game 2017) - Reference"
APPLION. "『アイドルマスター SideM LIVE ON ST@GE！』配信開始＆事前登録キャンペーンでMスター1500個プレゼント！"
PYLON PORT. "【セットリスト】THE IDOLM@STER SideM 10th ANNIVERSARY ST@GE ～P@SSION-ING!!!～ DAY1"
LIVE ON ST@GE! Guide - Miraheze
【SideM10th】THE IDOLM@STER SideM 10th ANNIVERSARY P@SSION TOUR
GAMEROOM. "Mengenal THE iDOLM@STER SideM LIVE ON ST@GE!"