Beat Matrix is a rhythm game where you use visual cues, known as Beat Bugs, to time key presses to the beat of the music. Some Beat Bugs will move faster or slower than normal. Each level in the game utilizes settings to either require one hand or both hands to play them, as well as to change the difficulty between "Simple" or "Advanced". This rounds out to 4 difficulty options per level. Rack up a high combo and a high score!

In this update (April Fool's 2024), I figured I'll show some sort of progress on the game every year on April Fool's day starting this year. I'll also throw in a joke in these updates. As for the changes:

+  This game is now on Itch.io for ease of access! Downloads for Windows, Mac, and Linux are still here for the offline experience.

-  Removed the epilepsy warning from The Fancy Bug Club level. It was originally in place because of the flashing colors towards the end of the level. However, after seeing some of Grayfruit's vods and getting some sense of what could trigger epilepsy symptoms, I decided the intensity of the flashing colors in this level wouldn't warrant an epilepsy warning. For those who are curious, the colors range from black, to a dim yellow, and back to black in a span of around 0.6 seconds, and sometimes it happens twice consecutively. If the player is still unsure about playing "The Fancy Bug Club", they can turn off Color Effects in the Options menu.

/  Due to the new way for the game to read levels, there are only 2 levels right now. More levels will be implemented/reimplemented as updates come out.

+ Reworked the difficulty system. You can now play Single Handed or Both Handed, along with Simple or Advanced modifiers. The Left Side, Right Side, and Both Sides difficulties have been omitted.

+  Added configurable controls for the Pause button and the Nothing button.

+  Added the Nothing button. It does nothing.

+  Added an option to change make Beat Bugs slide or jump. Sliding Beat Bugs emulate how they moved before Beat Matrix 3.4's release.

+  Added an option to set a dominant hand.

/  Sound effects are now turned on by default.

/  Moved the Persist Music option from the Main Menu to the Options Menu.

/  Max score is now 1000.

/  Adjusted unlock condition for Vibe Mode from score 50+ to 500+.

/  Adjusted the colors that display in "The World Sings" level. 

+  It is now possible to score multiple Nices at the same time with one key press. It isn't possible to do so with Earlies or Lates, to give the player as much opportunity to rack up a high score as possible.

/  Adjusted visuals in Vibe Mode. 

+ Added Splash Screen.

Credits:

Director and Producer: Teh Quiper

Testers: Staten, Toasty DJ, and Your Favorite Cupcake

Special Thanks: Your Favorite Cupcake (promotional art)

Known issue: 

The text by the volume ticker might say "Reset Volume?" no matter how many times the player clicks on it.