[Gameplay Mod] Hidden v1

Alright, here's something new for you: Is PDe too easy for you? Would you like to mix it up a little? This is the first modification for the Project DIVA series which actually changes gameplay as far as I know.
What this mod does is attempting to bring the "Hidden" gamemode from other rhythm games like Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan! (Elite Beat Agents, osu!) or Beatmania to Project DIVA. Certain parts of the target announcement system are removed so you need to rely more on learning the notemap and the rhythm to successfully clear the song!
Right now, I have two modes. Personally I like the second one a lot more, but I'd like to post both right now and get you opinion on which one I should work a bit more on. I'll make a longer post tomorrow, along with videos, and some things I found out about PD and it's engine, Alchemy, while I worked on it.

Since this is just a patch and not a new game, the mod will use the same savedata as your regular PDe. Plugins such as the translation will work fine, and you can play all Edits in Hidden. All songs you have unlocked can be played, too, and any unlocks/DIVA points/shop purchases/new highscores will carry over once you go back to regular PDe. If you get a good score with this mod, and want to prove it, there is a notice that you are playing Hidden on the scoreboard, so you can make a screenshot and show off. First one to get a Extreme perfect with Hidden wins an imaginary cookie.


Modes
[wimgp=50]http://i.imgur.com/H9H050s.png[/wimgp][wimgp=50]http://i.imgur.com/8srbeyd.png[/wimgp]

MODE 1 - Symbol Only
This Mode removes the targets, so you have to pay attention to the incoming symbols. Right now I forgot to disable the target appearing effects which means you can see where you have to hit symbols - and hold notes are really easy because you can see where the line ends.
MODE 2 - Target Only
This Mode removes the symbols, and leaves only the targets (with the timing pointer removed, though). This one I like a lot more, since the symbols appear in time (and with varying offsets like the symbols), and hold notes are not as easy to play. Downside is that you have no rainbow trails during Chance Time.


Installation
You need:
A clean ISO - there's tutorials on how to legally create one from your bought copy on the internet. Illegally downloaded games might not work.
The Hidden mod - http://www.mediafire.com/download/jfeft ... den_V1.zip
PPF-o-Matic - http://www.romhacking.net/utilities/356/
A modded PSP or a PSP emulator which can play ISOs

1) Make a copy of the ISO. The patcher has an Undo feature, but it might fail on some rare occasions.
2) Start PPF-o-Matic, choose the ISO copy and the patch for the mode you want to try, and hit Patch.
3) Launch the ISO. If it says "Hidden Mod 1" or "Hidden Mod 2" on the title screen like in the first screenshot in this post, everything worked!


To Do/Ideas
- Third Mode: The target shape fades out quickly after appearing, like in Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan!. I don't know whether it's actually possible, but there's definely data for transformation sequences in the IGB which I might be able to relink.
- Fix graphical bugs. The scoreboard is opaque right now, not half-transparent as it should be
- Make it look nicer. I'm pretty sure there's a way to make the font on title screen and scoreboard nicer and place it better.
- Make it a plugin instead of a patch. Will be very hard considering there is hardly any tutorial for writing plugins, but file replacement is possible, as the translation plugin shows. Will also make this mod compatible with UMDs.

 

Here's the longer post! It talks about some of the stuff I found out about transparency, we might be able to use that to finally get translucent textures on models in Custom DLC! http://greencouchgames.net/blog/modding ... nsparency/
Also, the video is now in the first post.

EDIT: Someone requested an Impossible mode on the Facebook page. That means all targets AND symbols are invisible. If you can get an Extreme perfect here and record a video, I will give you some prize.
http://www.mediafire.com/download/dcpei ... ssible.ppf