Scratchin' Melodii

* Logo
* Thumbnail
* Title screen

***Scratchin' Melodii*** is a rhythm game being developed in Unity by LJ LephemStar. Its first demo was released on itch.io for the *SAGE 2021 event* on *August 21st, 2021*. Another demo was announced on *September 2nd, 2022*, for SAGE 2022. A third and final demo was announced for *September 1st, 2023*, but was postponed to the *8th of December, 2023*.

## Plot

Melodii has been caught by the government for committing vandalism, specifically spray painting letters onto walls, and needs to pay off their debt by taking jobs and getting their employers to sign a form as proof that Melodii has worked there.

Throughout their travels to get a job, they face many foes who either want the job themselves or disagree with Melodii getting the job, such as The Sweetz Siblings and Nami.

## Characters

*Main article: Characters*
* Melodii
* The Sweetz Siblings, Cinnabay and Biggie Cheesecake
* Nami
* Jamtine
* Synthz McWave
* Rensa

## Songs

### Act 1

These are the current songs in ***Scratchin' Melodii***.

* Astral Advisory, tutorial song
* Cream Cheese Icing, VS. Cinnabay & Biggie Cheesecake
* Nami.WAV, VS. Nami
* Stir & Mix, VS. Jamtine
* Grease Poppin', VS. Synthz McWave

### Act 2

* Supastar Tennis, VS. Cinnabay & Biggie Cheesecake
* Sidechain Fever, VS. Rensa

## Credits

Game developed by: LJ LephemStar

LJ LephemStar - Music, art, and animations

Made in Unity, using the tool "Koreographer"

### Additional credits

Meggie-Elise - Voice of Nami

Additional artwork:

**Sulayre** - Cameo artwork

## Releases

**SAGE** (AKA "*Sonic Amateur Games Expo"*) is the **Event** where *Scratchin' Melodii* was first shown off on *August 21 2021*.

### SAGE 2021

*Scratchin' Melodii* first released as the **SAGE 2021 Demo** released on *August 23, 2021*. With "Astral Advisory", "Cream Cheese Icing", and "Grease Poppin'" being the only playable songs.

### SAGE 2022

*Scratchin' Melodii* was then updated in **SAGE 2022 Demo**, released on *September 30, 2022*. Songs included in this demo are "Cream Cheese Icing", "Nami.WAV", "Stir & Mix", "Grease Poppin'" and the Tutorial.

### SAGE Christmas

*Scratchin' Melodii* got another Update in the **SAGE Christmas Demo** released on *December 10, 2023*. It introduced 3 new *songs*, a new *character*, remasters of Melodii and their Mom, overhauled UI, and a myriad of song remasters.

## Mechanics

*Scratchin' Melodii* takes inspiration from *PaRappa the Rapper* with the opponent singing, having it visualized on a bar at the top of the screen, and having the player repeat it back. Depending on the song the player will either need to support the song or repeat what the opponent sang.

The player has two sets of controls, regular face buttons and arrow keys. It is recommended that players play with a gamepad. Depending on how late or early the player hits the notes will dictate their "Fidelity." Throughout the song, the player can input their own notes to the beat to remix the song.

Remixing gets the player more points, but only when buttons from the current verse are used. A meter with a blue music note measures accuracy, while a meter with a pink metronome measures style. Finishing a line with the style meter all the way up will result in a "ding" sound playing. If the player finishes two consecutive lines with their style meter all the way up, they will be sent into a 3D freestyle mode, officially known as Ascension. The rhythm system generally remains the same in this mode, and the player can earn more points by having more variety in their inputs.

The game currently has two difficulty levels: easy mode and normal mode. Playing on easy mode changes the song lyrics slightly. Hard modes of the songs will be implemented in the future.

## Gallery

***View**: **Scratchin' Melodii/Gallery***
## Trivia

* According to a Tweet by LJ LephemStar, the use of VOCALOID in *Scratchin' Melodii* is not for budgetary reasons and has "been part of the blueprint since day 1". LJ used synthetic voices for the game because they have always liked the way they sound in music; they also stated that they enjoy the sound and surrealism that it contributes to the game and that it is not a replacement for real voice actors, as the game will have plenty of both.
* Aside from *PaRappa the Rapper*, specific inspirations for *Scratchin' Melodii* include future funk music, *Undertale*, and *Sonic the Hedgehog*.
	+ Playing *Undertale* was the biggest thing that led LJ LephemStar to create *Scratchin' Melodii*; they have stated, "I really love that game and finding out it was made by pretty much one person really inspired me to make something of my own".
* *Scratchin' Melodii* will feature some form of customization in the future, but it will not be made until after the main content is finished.
* LJ LephemStar uses Clip Studio Paint to make the art for *Scratchin' Melodii* and Toon Boom Harmony for the game's animations. The time it takes to make a single frame depends on how tired they are.
* A loose estimate for the number of stages in *Scratchin' Melodii* is at least 5 Acts that each include around 3 Rival Battles and a Boss Battle.
* Characters in *Scratchin' Melodii* have shiny eyelids due to how some cartoons have this stylistic aspect, including *Sonic the Hedgehog*, and because it looks nice.

## References

1. ↑ https://twitter.com/LephemStar91/status/1428984827420815362
2. ↑ https://twitter.com/LephemStar91/status/1565629199888666626
3. ↑ https://twitter.com/LephemStar91/status/1695248506594689375
4. ↑ Taken directly from the Credits menu from the game.
5. ↑ https://sonicfangameshq.com/forums/showcase/scratchin-melodii-sage-2021-demo.1113/
6. ↑ https://sonicfangameshq.com/forums/showcase/scratchin-melodii-sage-2022-demo.1411/
7. ↑ https://twitter.com/LephemStar91/status/1563598369083179010
8. ↑ File:DemoUpdateNote.png
9. ↑ https://twitter.com/LephemStar91/status/1363378930795839488
10. ↑ https://twitter.com/LephemStar91/status/1570949173779828736
11. ↑ https://twitter.com/LephemStar91/status/1570981140936425473
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 https://twitter.com/LephemStar91/status/1567663548607741953
13. ↑ https://twitter.com/LephemStar91/status/1570957735931572225
14. ↑ https://twitter.com/LephemStar91/status/1570982086970052609
15. ↑ https://twitter.com/LephemStar91/status/1570953987033276416
16. ↑ https://twitter.com/LephemStar91/status/1570952396314152962
17. ↑ https://twitter.com/LephemStar91/status/1570955874201661440
18. ↑ https://twitter.com/LephemStar91/status/1570949471080431616
19. ↑ https://twitter.com/LephemStar91/status/1570954641587974144
20. ↑ https://twitter.com/LephemStar91/status/1585299222709956608

## External links

* Official website
* *Scratchin' Melodii* on itch.io
* Official soundtrack