Four and a half years ago, I dug out a soft pad used for playing home versions of Dance Dance Revolution and plugged it back into a PlayStation 2. I had quite enjoyed some of the old console mixes as a child, and I figured it’d be worthwhile to check if the old controllers collecting dust in a closet still worked.

That quick session reignited a long dormant passion for dance games, and has taken me on quite the adventure since.

I’m Pilot, a programmer and dance game player from New Jersey. I’ve been playing dance games in earnest since 2021 and I began focusing on StepManiaX in 2023. I compete, commentate, and help organize events within the game’s growing community.

Photo credit: Sydia

In my four year tenure playing SMX, I’m very proud of what I have accomplished. I’ve held onto a top 10 spot on the in-game leaderboard for years, picked up thousands of unique perfect scores, and secured a number of top cut tournament placements. I’m a regular commentator for tournament broadcasts, and I organize an online tournament series affectionately known as F.A.R.T., which drew over one hundred entrants in its last iteration.

All of my achievements are owed to thorough study of the game and its numerous facets. I’ve shared lots of knowledge with other players over the years, and I’m now interested in putting that knowledge and passion for the game into a single place. With this website, I’m looking to provide the following in an accessible format for players looking to learn more about StepManiaX:

  • Guides and analyses: detailed breakdowns of songs, charts, and engine mechanics to help players improve their scores.
  • Event recaps: summaries of tournaments and other social events focused on the game and its community.
  • News: insights on happenings surrounding the game, such as content updates and developer announcements.
  • Perhaps a little bit of opinion on top.

It’ll take some time to populate this site with the game knowledge I’ve accumulated over the years, but I’ll be working steadily to get some analyses up in the near future. If there is a specific subject matter you’d like me to cover, please reach out to me via one of my social media profiles (linked on the landing page of the site) and I will consider your request accordingly.

Photo credit: Sydia

Learning and improving at this game has brough a lot of joy to my dance game hobby, and my hope is this website can assist you - the reader - in your own journey with StepManiaX!