{{Short description|2007 video game}} {{Other uses|Osu (disambiguation)}} {{Lowercase title|italic=yes}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}} {{Use Australian English|date=January 2019}} {{Infobox software | name = osu! | title = ''osu!'' | logo = 220x124px|alt= osu! logo|''osu!''{{'}}s logo since 2024 | logo alt = A pink circle that has a white border with the name on it | logo caption = Logo since May 2024<ref>{{Cite web |title=osu!(lazer) Updates: May 19, 2024 |author1=Walavouchey |author2=((0x84f)) |url=https://osu.ppy.sh/home/news/2024-05-19-osu-lazer-updates-may-19-2024 |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=osu! |language=en}}</ref> | screenshot alt = | caption = Screenshot of ''osu!lazer'', the in-development stage of an open source version of ''osu!''. | collapsible = | author = Dean Lewis "peppy" Herbert | developer = osu! development team | released = {{Start date and age|2007|09|16}} | ver layout = <!-- simple (default) or stacked --> <!-- release data is out of article, please see Template:Infobox_software for more info -->| repo = {{URL|https://github.com/ppy/osu}} | programming language = C# | middleware = OpenTK<ref>{{cite web |first=Dean |last=Herbert |title=a long-overdue update |url=https://blog.ppy.sh/post/146687255823/a-long-overdue-update |website=ppy blog |access-date=20 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108090300/http://blog.ppy.sh/post/146687255823/a-long-overdue-update |archive-date=8 November 2020 |date=30 June 2016 |quote=Until now we used some XNA code for input handling and low-level structs. These dependencies are almost {{as written|compe|letely [sic]}} removed from the project now, with OpenTK or similar open-source frameworks replacing them. |url-status=live}}</ref> | operating system = Microsoft Windows <br /> macOS <br /> Linux <br /> Android <br /> iOS | platform = | size = | language = Arabic, Belarusian, Bulgarian, Catalan, Czech, Danish, English, German, Greek, Spanish, Finnish, Filipino, French, Hebrew, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Lithuanian, Dutch, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Slovenian, Serbian, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Traditional Chinese | language count = 37 <!-- number only --> | language footnote = | genre = Rhythm game | license = MIT (osu!lazer code) <br /> CC BY-NC (osu!lazer assets<ref>{{cite web | title=GitHub - ppy/osu-resources: assets used by osu! | url=https://github.com/ppy/osu-resources | website=GitHub | access-date=19 January 2023}}</ref>) <br /> Freeware (osu!stable, the predecessor to osu!lazer) | standard = | AsOf = }}
<!-- Please check the talk page before changing capitalization. Thanks. --> '''''Osu!'''''{{efn|Pronounced variously in English: {{IPAc-en|ˈ|oʊ|s|uː|audio=LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-osu!.wav}}, {{IPAc-en|ˈ|oʊ|s}}.}} (stylized as '''''osu!''''') is a free and open source rhythm game originally created and self-published by Australian developer Dean Herbert as a freeware. It was released for Microsoft Windows on 16 September 2007, with later ports to macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.<ref>{{Cite web |title=download |url=https://osu.ppy.sh/home/download |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=osu! |language=en}}</ref>
The gameplay of ''osu!'' is based on the ''Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan'' series of rhythm games, which primarily involves clicking notes, which appear as circles, using a cursor or finger. Since the game's release, three other official "rulesets" (game modes)<ref name=":4">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut_SOreClcc |title=what is lazer? |date=2022-03-18 |last=osu! |access-date=2025-07-18 |via=YouTube}}</ref><sup>[1:38]</sup> have been added, taking inspiration from various games. Unlike many rhythm games, levels in ''osu!'' are created and uploaded by users, increasing the range and volume of the song library. The game has about {{formatnum:20000}} daily active users.<ref name="Boer2025" />{{Rp|location=2:20}}
The game has a significant connection to Japanese culture and anime music.<ref name=":03" /> The community also frequently organizes tournaments between players.<ref>{{Cite web |title=tournaments |url=https://osu.ppy.sh/community/forums/55 |access-date=2026-05-22 |website=osu! |language=en}}</ref>
==Gameplay== ''Osu!'' is a rhythm game with multiple distinct game modes.<ref name=":4" /><sup>[1:38]</sup> If the player misses too many notes, they fail the song and must retry.<ref name="TechTudo20192">{{cite web |last1=Rodrigues |first1=Gabriela |date=19 September 2019 |title=Como baixar Osu! e treinar sua mira no Fortnite e CS:GO |url=https://www.techtudo.com.br/dicas-e-tutoriais/2019/09/como-baixar-osu-e-treinar-sua-mira-no-fortnite-e-csgo-esports.ghtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107200513/https://www.techtudo.com.br/dicas-e-tutoriais/2019/09/como-baixar-osu-e-treinar-sua-mira-no-fortnite-e-csgo-esports.ghtml |archive-date=7 January 2020 |access-date=7 January 2020 |website=TechTudo |publisher=Globo Comunicação e Participações S.A. |language=pt-BR |location=Rio de Janeiro}}</ref><ref name=":02">{{cite web |last1=Phúc |first1=Thịnh |date=30 August 2019 |title=Bí quyết giúp game thủ có khả năng phản xạ chớp nhoáng |url=https://znews.vn/bi-quyet-giup-game-thu-co-kha-nang-phan-xa-chop-nhoang-post982404.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107200509/https://news.zing.vn/bi-quyet-giup-game-thu-co-kha-nang-phan-xa-chop-nhoang-post982404.html |archive-date=7 January 2020 |access-date=7 January 2020 |website=Zing.vn |language=vi}}</ref> In-game settings, called ''mods'', can change gameplay in different ways — for example, by speeding up the song or increasing the size of circles.<ref name="pcgamer2">{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=16 July 2019 |title=Gamers with godlike reflexes are racing to break world records in this rhythm game |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/two-teens-are-on-a-crazy-world-record-race-in-extremely-challenging-rhythm-game-osu/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926150910/https://www.pcgamer.com/two-teens-are-on-a-crazy-world-record-race-in-extremely-challenging-rhythm-game-osu/ |archive-date=26 September 2019 |access-date=12 August 2019 |website=PC Gamer}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Amos |first=Andrew |date=16 November 2018 |title=Circle Work: A chat with Australia's osu! World Cup team |url=https://www.redbull.com/au-en/circle-work-a-chat-with-australias-osu-world-cup-team |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730045847/https://www.redbull.com/au-en/circle-work-a-chat-with-australias-osu-world-cup-team |archive-date=30 July 2019 |access-date=4 September 2019 |website=Red Bull}}</ref> Songs are mapped to levels called ''beatmaps'',<ref name="TheObjective20192">{{cite news |last1=Gonzáles |first1=Mariela |date=5 September 2019 |title=Gaming Sounds: osu!, cuando el ritmo se convierte en nuestro séptimo sentido |url=https://theobjective.com/further/gaming-sounds-osu/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107200505/https://theobjective.com/further/gaming-sounds-osu/ |archive-date=7 January 2020 |access-date=7 January 2020 |work=The Objective |publisher=The Objective Media |language=es}}</ref> and the same song can include multiple beatmaps of varying difficulties.<ref name=":02" /> Some beatmaps, including a tutorial, are bundled with a new installation of the game, but more can be downloaded from the game's website or directly from the game.<ref name="TheObjective20192" /><ref name="TechTudo20192" /><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL4iwng19Ow |title=a better way to find maps |date=2025-03-21 |last=osu! |access-date=2025-07-18 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
Beatmaps can be created and uploaded by all users.<ref name="TechTudo20192" /><ref name="IndoZone20192">{{cite news |last1=Andika |first1=Ferry |date=27 December 2019 |title=Osu!, Game Rhythm Terkenal di PC dengan Ribuan Pemain Harian |url=https://www.indozone.id/game/RMspde/osu-game-rhythm-terkenal-di-pc-dengan-ribuan-pemain-harian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107192953/https://www.indozone.id/game/RMspde/osu-game-rhythm-terkenal-di-pc-dengan-ribuan-pemain-harian |archive-date=7 January 2020 |access-date=7 January 2020 |publisher=Indozone Media Indonesia |location=Jakarta |language=id}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=May 2026}} In the game's single-player mode, scores on beatmaps can be compared with other players, who are ranked on an online leaderboard.<ref name="TechTudo20192" /> Scores are primarily measured using their ''performance points (abbreviated as PP)'', which account for various aspects of a player's skill.<ref name="pcgamer2" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 July 2019 |first=Dexter |last=Tan Guan Hao |title=osu! PP world record broken by 15-year-old |url=https://dotesports.com/general/news/osu-pp-world-record-broken-by-15-year-old |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812214904/https://dotesports.com/general/news/osu-pp-world-record-broken-by-15-year-old |archive-date=12 August 2019 |access-date=12 August 2019 |website=Dot Esports |quote=For instance, former Overwatch League pro Hyeon 'EFFECT' Hwang said he plays the game for one hour before matches to warm up his hands.}}</ref> Users can add others as friends and chat in-game,<ref name=":2">{{cite web |author1=djjulien |date=7 June 2015 |title=Test: Osu! |url=http://www.jeuxvideo.com/test/427571/osu.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170621130547/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/test/427571/osu.htm |archive-date=21 June 2017 |website=jeuxvideo.com |language=fr}}</ref> and two multiplayer modes allow groups of people to play beatmaps either synchronously or asynchronously with each other.<ref name="TechTudo20192" /><ref name=":4" /><sup>[0:58]</sup>
=== Rulesets (game modes) === {{Multiple image | image1 = Osu!standard gameplay.webm | image2 = Taiko.webm | image3 = Catch.webm | image4 = Mania.webm | perrow = 2 / 2 | caption1 = ''osu!standard'' | caption2 = ''osu!taiko'' | caption3 = ''osu!catch'' | caption4 = ''osu!mania'' | header = Examples of ''osu!'' gameplay }} The game's original and most popular ruleset, based on ''Ouendan'',<ref name=":2" /> is also known as ''osu!standard''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lien |first1=Aaron |title=OSU Rhythm Games Club stays on beat without in-person meetings |url=https://www.thelantern.com/2021/01/osu-rhythm-games-club-stays-on-beat-without-in-person-meetings/ |access-date=26 February 2025 |work=The Lantern |publisher=The Lantern Media Group |date=January 13, 2021}}</ref> There are also three alternative rulesets, ''osu!mania'', ''osu!taiko'', and ''osu!catch'',<ref name=":2" /><ref name="IndoZone20192" /> and the game additionally supports user-generated custom rulesets.<ref name=":4" /><sup>[1:35]</sup>thumb|In ''osu!standard'', the game awards score based on the judgement obtained for each note, with more score being awarded for better judgements.'''''osu!standard''''' is the original game mode of ''osu!''. The game mode revolves around three types of notes — hit circle, slider and spinner. Hit circles appear as notes over a song's runtime, and the objective is to click or tap on the circles at the appropriate time and in the correct order,<ref name="TheObjective20192" /><ref name="TechTudo20192" /><ref name=":02" /> aided by rings called "approach circles" that close in on the hit circles to visually indicate the timing; more points are awarded the closer the approach circles are to the hit circles.<ref name="TechTudo20192" /> The core gameplay is inspired by the Nintendo DS rhythm game ''Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan'' and its sequel ''Elite Beat Agents.''<ref name="TheObjective20192" /> Slider notes require that the player click and hold while moving the cursor across its predefined path.<ref name=":02" /><ref name=":2" /> Spinner notes require the user to click and hold while rapidly spinning their cursor or finger around the centre of the screen.
'''''osu!taiko''''' is a game mode inspired by the rhythm game series ''Taiko no Tatsujin''; it involves circles moving from right to left, requiring key-presses when they reach the left side.<ref name="TheObjective20192" /> The user is presented with two main types of notes, "don" (red) and "kat" (blue), and they must differentiate them based on their colour and hit one of the two corresponding keys for that colour on their keyboard, with the user only receiving score if they pressed either one of the appropriate keys. The game mode also features large notes which reward the player with extra points when they press both of the corresponding keys for that colour at the same time rather than one key. Besides the common notes, the game mode also features drumrolls and swells, where the user must repeatedly hit both keys to clear the note.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_uSO2ESCRI |title=osu!academy Episode 5 - Introduction to Taiko mode! Feat. Tasha |date=2015-04-08 |last=osu! |access-date=2025-07-18 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
'''''osu!catch''''', formerly '''''Catch the Beat''''', is a game mode based on EZ2Catch, a game mode in EZ2DJ.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}} In it, fruits fall from the top of the screen; the player controls a character at the bottom, whom they can move left and right with the goal of catching as much fruit on a plate as possible, earning them score.<ref name=":2" /><ref name="mmogames">{{cite news |last1=Ball |first1=Daniel |date=27 April 2010 |title=Online rhythm and music game Osu! reviewed - MMOGames.com |url=https://www.mmogames.com/gamenews/online-rhythm-and-dance-game-osu-reviewed/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022073657/https://www.mmogames.com/gamenews/online-rhythm-and-dance-game-osu-reviewed/ |archive-date=22 October 2018 |access-date=22 October 2018 |work=MMOGames.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WKZE2HPOK8 |title=osu!academy Episode 4 - Introduction to CtB |date=2015-01-10 |last=osu! |access-date=2025-07-18 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
'''''osu!mania''''' is a vertically scrolling rhythm game based on rhythm game series such as ''Beatmania''<ref name="TheObjective20192" /> and ''Guitar Hero''.<ref name=":2" /> There are two types of notes, standard and hold notes; hold notes must be held down and released. The game mode splits the screen of the user into up to 16 different columns, with each column being designated a different key on the keyboard. The goal of the player is to press the appropriate key at the correct time, as each note reaches the bottom (or alternatively top) of the screen.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAomychlbic |title=osu!academy Episode 3 - Introduction to osu!mania Feat. LoliFlan |date=2014-12-17 |last=osu! |access-date=2025-07-18 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
=== Devices === ''Osu!'' has been noted for encouraging the use of unique input devices — although the game can be played with a computer mouse, it is often recommended to use a graphics tablet with a pen, which more closely emulates the gameplay of ''Ouendan''.<ref name="PU2018" /><ref name="TheObjective20192" /> The accessibility of using a mouse and keyboard is another reason given for the game's popularity.<ref name="PU2018" /> Gaming keyboard manufacturer Wooting released a three-key keyboard dedicated to playing ''osu!'' due to the popularity of their keyboards among the game's players.<ref name=":3" />
== Development == ''Osu!'' was created by Dean Herbert, an Australian developer known online as "peppy",<ref name=":2" /> as a computer version of ''Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan'' and ''Elite Beat Agents''.<ref name="TheObjective20192" /> One of his goals was to create longevity through enabling users to craft their own beatmaps.<ref name="PU2018">{{Cite magazine |date=July 2018 |language=nl |title=Genoeg rhythm-action voor de rest van je leven... en helemaal gratis! |url=https://archive.org/details/292_20231030_202310/295/page/32/mode/2up |trans-title=Enough rhythm-action for the rest of your life... and completely free! |access-date=29 May 2024 |magazine=Power Unlimited |page=33 |volume=26 |issue=7}}</ref> Herbert had experience creating video games prior to ''osu!'', having made some during high school and university,<ref name="ppy-osutalk" />{{Rp|location=05:34}} but has said he did not think it would become his job.<ref name="ComicFiestaInterview">{{Cite interview |last=Herbert |first=Dean |interviewer=CalvinPixels |title=CosNews 1 {{pipe}} Peppy (PPY) - Osu! Interview (Comic Fiesta) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83y5EEm-2dk |date=12 January 2014}}</ref>{{Rp|location=00:20}} He began developing ''osu!'' while attending university and had a working build of the game after a few hours, which he shared with friends.<ref name="ppy-osutalk">{{Cite interview |last=Herbert |first=Dean |title= osu!talk Episode 8 - Feat. peppy! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7vdW5uZutU |date=25 July 2014}}</ref>{{Rp|location=00:50}} It was written in C# using the XNA framework.<ref name="ppy-osutalk" />{{Rp|location=03:24}} The game's first public release was on 16 September 2007,<ref name="IndoZone20192" /> and an open beta was officially available starting on 17 October.<ref name="EGbeta">{{Cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=18 October 2007 |title=Free PC Ouendan/EBA emulator hits public beta |url=https://www.engadget.com/2007-10-18-free-pc-ouendan-eba-emulator-hits-public-beta.html |access-date=23 May 2024 |website=Engadget |language=en-US}}</ref> Due to the game's growth in popularity as well as user feedback, Herbert later added the extra game modes ''osu!mania'', ''osu!taiko'', and ''osu!catch'', later renamed to ''rulesets''.<ref name="TheObjective20192" /> After releasing ''osu!'', Herbert, who had been working full-time for an IT company, gradually reduced his work hours to focus on maintaining ''osu!''.<ref name="ppy-osutalk" />{{Rp|location=39:49}} According to Herbert, as of a July 2014 interview for the official ''osu!'' YouTube channel, the user interface of the game client and official website were undergoing full "revamps".<ref name="ppy-osutalk" />{{Rp|location=34:42}} In the same interview, he expressed interest or intentions to add major features to the game, such as a multiplayer power-up system inspired by ''Ouendan'' and ''TetriNET'',<ref name="ppy-osutalk" />{{Rp|location=16:14}} 3D rotation of the field of play,<ref name="ppy-osutalk" />{{Rp|location=25:23}} and expanded multiplayer lobbies.<ref name="ppy-osutalk" />{{Rp|location=37:40}}
''Osu!'' has three different builds; ''osu!stable'', the original freeware build which is currently in maintenance mode, ''osu!lazer'', which is a free and open source rewrite of the original game and is currently in active development, with the end goal being for ''osu!lazer'' to become the only official build of ''osu!''''';''' and ''osu!stream'', a legacy version designed for iOS and Android prior to the creation of osu!lazer.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=History for wiki/Help_centre/Upgrading_to_lazer/en.md - ppy/osu-wiki |url=https://github.com/ppy/osu-wiki |access-date=2025-07-18 |website=GitHub |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=osu!stream |url=https://osustream.com/ |access-date=2025-07-16 |website=osustream.com}}</ref>
== Reception and legacy ==
=== Critical response === ''Jeuxvideo.com'' reviewed ''osu!'' favorably with 18/20 points in 2015; praising its simple gameplay and its expansive community, but complaining about a high skill floor and its unoriginal gamemodes, as well as the prevalence of Japanese music, which they felt was excessive.<ref name=":2" /> In 2010, ''MMOGames.com'' reviewer Daniel Ball said that while the game was similar to ''Elite Beat Agents'', it was differentiated by its community's large library of high-quality community-made content and customization.<ref name="mmogames" />
=== Community and popularity === [[File:osu! TwitchCon 2018 Booth.jpg|thumb|An audience watches players idke and RyuK compete at the ''osu!'' TwitchCon booth in 2018.|alt=refer to caption]] ''osu!'' has continued to gain popularity since its release, being widely shared on video and live streaming platforms like YouTube and TikTok.<ref name="PU2018" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Ridley |first=Jacob |date=21 March 2023 |title=This keyboard designed for a single rhythm game is literally UwU |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/this-keyboard-designed-for-a-single-rhythm-game-is-literally-uwu/ |access-date=30 May 2024 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref> An artificial intelligence VTuber called Neuro-sama beat the top-ranked ''osu!'' player in 2022, mrekk, in a one-versus-one battle.<ref>{{cite web|last=Xiang|first=Chloe|date=4 January 2023|title=This Virtual Twitch Streamer is Controlled Entirely By AI|website=Vice|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/this-virtual-twitch-streamer-is-controlled-entirely-by-ai/|access-date=24 January 2025}}</ref> {{As of|2025|07}}, the game has about {{formatnum:20000}} daily active users and 30 million accounts.<ref name="Boer2025">{{Cite AV media |last1=Boer |first1=Vince |last2=Jagers |first2=Dylan |date=29 July 2025 |title=Internationale gameconventie: Australisch videospel maakt opwachting |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPIDN4k6KPQ |trans-title=International gaming convention: Australian video game makes an appearance |work=DTV Nieuws |trans-work=DTV News |type=Television production |language=nl |location=Den Bosch |publisher=NOVO3 |via=YouTube}}</ref>{{Rp|location=2:20}} The game works on a model of community-generated beatmaps, which has been cited as a significant factor in its popularity and longevity.<ref name=":2" /><ref name="PU2018" /><ref name=":03">{{Cite web |last=Yono |first=Dylan |date=7 April 2019 |title=Anime music thrives in an obscure computer-based rhythm game |url=http://www.michigandaily.com/arts/music/anime-music-thrives-obscure-computer-based-rhythm-game/ |access-date=30 May 2024 |website=The Michigan Daily |language=en-US}}</ref> A large portion of the available music consists of songs from anime<ref name="PU2018" /><ref name=":03" /> — the game itself is aimed at foreign fans of Japanese culture and is influenced by it, particularly due to its inspiration from ''Ouendan'' and the general continuing association of rhythm games with Japan since the 1990s.<ref name=":03" />
Tournaments are held frequently as another mode of competition.<ref name="PU2018" /> The ''osu! World Cup'' is an annual double-elimination tournament which comprises a group stage and bracket of the 32 highest-seeded national teams in the world, usually with 6 to 8 players on each team.<ref name=":1" />
Due to the emphasis of game on quickly moving the mouse cursor to precise points on the screen, some players of multiplayer online battle arena games and first-person shooter games have used it to improve reflexes and mouse control,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saguias |first=Gabriel |date=27 November 2018 |title=Cinco jogos viciantes de PC para treinar e subir de ranking no CS:GO |url=https://www.techtudo.com.br/listas/2018/11/cinco-jogos-viciantes-de-pc-para-treinar-e-subir-de-ranking-no-csgo-esports.ghtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215021011/https://www.techtudo.com.br/listas/2018/11/cinco-jogos-viciantes-de-pc-para-treinar-e-subir-de-ranking-no-csgo-esports.ghtml |archive-date=15 February 2020 |access-date=22 May 2024 |website=TechTudo |language=pt}}</ref> and it has been specifically recommended by some esports professionals like Ninja in the past.<ref name="TechTudo20192" />
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} * {{Official website|https://osu.ppy.sh}} * [https://osu.ppy.sh/wiki Official ''osu!'' wiki]
Category:2007 video games Category:Indie games Category:IOS games Category:MacOS games Category:Music video games Category:Open-source video games Category:Rhythm games Category:Software using the MIT license Category:Video games developed in Australia Category:Windows games Category:Windows Phone games Category:Video games with level editors