diff --git a/osu.Game.Rulesets.Osu.Tests/TestSceneSkinFallbacks.cs b/osu.Game.Rulesets.Osu.Tests/TestSceneSkinFallbacks.cs
index 02c65db6ad..7ca311118e 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Rulesets.Osu.Tests/TestSceneSkinFallbacks.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Rulesets.Osu.Tests/TestSceneSkinFallbacks.cs
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ using osu.Game.Graphics;
 using osu.Game.Rulesets.Osu.Objects.Drawables;
 using osu.Game.Screens.Play;
 using osu.Game.Skinning;
+using osu.Game.Storyboards;
 using osu.Game.Tests.Visual;
 
 namespace osu.Game.Rulesets.Osu.Tests
@@ -75,14 +76,14 @@ namespace osu.Game.Rulesets.Osu.Tests
 
         protected override Player CreatePlayer(Ruleset ruleset) => new SkinProvidingPlayer(testUserSkin);
 
-        protected override WorkingBeatmap CreateWorkingBeatmap(IBeatmap beatmap) => new CustomSkinWorkingBeatmap(beatmap, Clock, audio, testBeatmapSkin);
+        protected override WorkingBeatmap CreateWorkingBeatmap(IBeatmap beatmap, Storyboard storyboard = null) => new CustomSkinWorkingBeatmap(beatmap, storyboard, Clock, audio, testBeatmapSkin);
 
         public class CustomSkinWorkingBeatmap : ClockBackedTestWorkingBeatmap
         {
             private readonly ISkinSource skin;
 
-            public CustomSkinWorkingBeatmap(IBeatmap beatmap, IFrameBasedClock frameBasedClock, AudioManager audio, ISkinSource skin)
-                : base(beatmap, frameBasedClock, audio)
+            public CustomSkinWorkingBeatmap(IBeatmap beatmap, Storyboard storyboard, IFrameBasedClock frameBasedClock, AudioManager audio, ISkinSource skin)
+                : base(beatmap, storyboard, frameBasedClock, audio)
             {
                 this.skin = skin;
             }
diff --git a/osu.Game.Rulesets.Osu.Tests/TestSceneSpinnerRotation.cs b/osu.Game.Rulesets.Osu.Tests/TestSceneSpinnerRotation.cs
index cded7f0e95..d0ce0c33c2 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Rulesets.Osu.Tests/TestSceneSpinnerRotation.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Rulesets.Osu.Tests/TestSceneSpinnerRotation.cs
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ using osu.Game.Tests.Visual;
 using osuTK;
 using System.Collections.Generic;
 using System.Linq;
+using osu.Game.Storyboards;
 using static osu.Game.Tests.Visual.OsuTestScene.ClockBackedTestWorkingBeatmap;
 
 namespace osu.Game.Rulesets.Osu.Tests
@@ -28,9 +29,9 @@ namespace osu.Game.Rulesets.Osu.Tests
 
         protected override bool Autoplay => true;
 
-        protected override WorkingBeatmap CreateWorkingBeatmap(IBeatmap beatmap)
+        protected override WorkingBeatmap CreateWorkingBeatmap(IBeatmap beatmap, Storyboard storyboard = null)
         {
-            var working = new ClockBackedTestWorkingBeatmap(beatmap, new FramedClock(new ManualClock { Rate = 1 }), audioManager);
+            var working = new ClockBackedTestWorkingBeatmap(beatmap, storyboard, new FramedClock(new ManualClock { Rate = 1 }), audioManager);
             track = (TrackVirtualManual)working.Track;
             return working;
         }
diff --git a/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Gameplay/TestSceneAutoplay.cs b/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Gameplay/TestSceneAutoplay.cs
index f94071a7a9..5ee109e3dd 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Gameplay/TestSceneAutoplay.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Gameplay/TestSceneAutoplay.cs
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ using osu.Game.Beatmaps;
 using osu.Game.Rulesets;
 using osu.Game.Rulesets.Scoring;
 using osu.Game.Screens.Play;
+using osu.Game.Storyboards;
 
 namespace osu.Game.Tests.Visual.Gameplay
 {
@@ -29,9 +30,9 @@ namespace osu.Game.Tests.Visual.Gameplay
             AddUntilStep("key counter reset", () => ((ScoreAccessiblePlayer)Player).HUDOverlay.KeyCounter.Children.All(kc => kc.CountPresses == 0));
         }
 
-        protected override WorkingBeatmap CreateWorkingBeatmap(IBeatmap beatmap)
+        protected override WorkingBeatmap CreateWorkingBeatmap(IBeatmap beatmap, Storyboard storyboard = null)
         {
-            var working = base.CreateWorkingBeatmap(beatmap);
+            var working = base.CreateWorkingBeatmap(beatmap, storyboard);
 
             track = (ClockBackedTestWorkingBeatmap.TrackVirtualManual)working.Track;
 
diff --git a/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Gameplay/TestSceneGameplayRewinding.cs b/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Gameplay/TestSceneGameplayRewinding.cs
index ffc025a942..b2b58a63fb 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Gameplay/TestSceneGameplayRewinding.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Gameplay/TestSceneGameplayRewinding.cs
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ using osu.Game.Rulesets.Osu.Objects;
 using osu.Game.Rulesets.Scoring;
 using osu.Game.Rulesets.UI;
 using osu.Game.Screens.Play;
+using osu.Game.Storyboards;
 using osuTK;
 
 namespace osu.Game.Tests.Visual.Gameplay
@@ -35,9 +36,9 @@ namespace osu.Game.Tests.Visual.Gameplay
 
         private Track track;
 
-        protected override WorkingBeatmap CreateWorkingBeatmap(IBeatmap beatmap)
+        protected override WorkingBeatmap CreateWorkingBeatmap(IBeatmap beatmap, Storyboard storyboard = null)
         {
-            var working = new ClockBackedTestWorkingBeatmap(beatmap, new FramedClock(new ManualClock { Rate = 1 }), audioManager);
+            var working = new ClockBackedTestWorkingBeatmap(beatmap, storyboard, new FramedClock(new ManualClock { Rate = 1 }), audioManager);
             track = working.Track;
             return working;
         }
diff --git a/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Gameplay/TestSceneLeadIn.cs b/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Gameplay/TestSceneLeadIn.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0150c6ea74
--- /dev/null
+++ b/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Gameplay/TestSceneLeadIn.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+// Copyright (c) ppy Pty Ltd <contact@ppy.sh>. Licensed under the MIT Licence.
+// See the LICENCE file in the repository root for full licence text.
+
+using System.Diagnostics;
+using System.Linq;
+using NUnit.Framework;
+using osu.Framework.Graphics;
+using osu.Framework.MathUtils;
+using osu.Game.Beatmaps;
+using osu.Game.Graphics.Sprites;
+using osu.Game.Rulesets.Osu;
+using osu.Game.Screens.Play;
+using osu.Game.Storyboards;
+using osu.Game.Tests.Beatmaps;
+using osuTK;
+
+namespace osu.Game.Tests.Visual.Gameplay
+{
+    public class TestSceneLeadIn : RateAdjustedBeatmapTestScene
+    {
+        private LeadInPlayer player;
+
+        private const double lenience_ms = 10;
+
+        private const double first_hit_object = 2170;
+
+        [TestCase(1000, 0)]
+        [TestCase(2000, 0)]
+        [TestCase(3000, first_hit_object - 3000)]
+        [TestCase(10000, first_hit_object - 10000)]
+        public void TestLeadInProducesCorrectStartTime(double leadIn, double expectedStartTime)
+        {
+            loadPlayerWithBeatmap(new TestBeatmap(new OsuRuleset().RulesetInfo)
+            {
+                BeatmapInfo = { AudioLeadIn = leadIn }
+            });
+
+            AddAssert($"first frame is {expectedStartTime}", () =>
+            {
+                Debug.Assert(player.FirstFrameClockTime != null);
+                return Precision.AlmostEquals(player.FirstFrameClockTime.Value, expectedStartTime, lenience_ms);
+            });
+        }
+
+        [TestCase(1000, 0)]
+        [TestCase(0, 0)]
+        [TestCase(-1000, -1000)]
+        [TestCase(-10000, -10000)]
+        public void TestStoryboardProducesCorrectStartTime(double firstStoryboardEvent, double expectedStartTime)
+        {
+            var storyboard = new Storyboard();
+
+            var sprite = new StoryboardSprite("unknown", Anchor.TopLeft, Vector2.Zero);
+            sprite.TimelineGroup.Alpha.Add(Easing.None, firstStoryboardEvent, firstStoryboardEvent + 500, 0, 1);
+
+            storyboard.GetLayer("Background").Add(sprite);
+
+            loadPlayerWithBeatmap(new TestBeatmap(new OsuRuleset().RulesetInfo), storyboard);
+
+            AddAssert($"first frame is {expectedStartTime}", () =>
+            {
+                Debug.Assert(player.FirstFrameClockTime != null);
+                return Precision.AlmostEquals(player.FirstFrameClockTime.Value, expectedStartTime, lenience_ms);
+            });
+        }
+
+        private void loadPlayerWithBeatmap(IBeatmap beatmap, Storyboard storyboard = null)
+        {
+            AddStep("create player", () =>
+            {
+                Beatmap.Value = CreateWorkingBeatmap(beatmap, storyboard);
+                LoadScreen(player = new LeadInPlayer());
+            });
+
+            AddUntilStep("player loaded", () => player.IsLoaded && player.Alpha == 1);
+        }
+
+        private class LeadInPlayer : TestPlayer
+        {
+            public LeadInPlayer()
+                : base(false, false)
+            {
+            }
+
+            public double? FirstFrameClockTime;
+
+            public new GameplayClockContainer GameplayClockContainer => base.GameplayClockContainer;
+
+            public double GameplayStartTime => DrawableRuleset.GameplayStartTime;
+
+            public double FirstHitObjectTime => DrawableRuleset.Objects.First().StartTime;
+
+            public double GameplayClockTime => GameplayClockContainer.GameplayClock.CurrentTime;
+
+            protected override void UpdateAfterChildren()
+            {
+                base.UpdateAfterChildren();
+
+                if (!FirstFrameClockTime.HasValue)
+                {
+                    FirstFrameClockTime = GameplayClockContainer.GameplayClock.CurrentTime;
+                    AddInternal(new OsuSpriteText
+                    {
+                        Text = $"GameplayStartTime: {DrawableRuleset.GameplayStartTime} "
+                               + $"FirstHitObjectTime: {FirstHitObjectTime} "
+                               + $"LeadInTime: {Beatmap.Value.BeatmapInfo.AudioLeadIn} "
+                               + $"FirstFrameClockTime: {FirstFrameClockTime}"
+                    });
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Gameplay/TestScenePlayerReferenceLeaking.cs b/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Gameplay/TestScenePlayerReferenceLeaking.cs
index 65b56319e8..4d701f56a9 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Gameplay/TestScenePlayerReferenceLeaking.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Gameplay/TestScenePlayerReferenceLeaking.cs
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ using osu.Framework.Lists;
 using osu.Game.Beatmaps;
 using osu.Game.Rulesets;
 using osu.Game.Screens.Play;
+using osu.Game.Storyboards;
 
 namespace osu.Game.Tests.Visual.Gameplay
 {
@@ -42,9 +43,9 @@ namespace osu.Game.Tests.Visual.Gameplay
             });
         }
 
-        protected override WorkingBeatmap CreateWorkingBeatmap(IBeatmap beatmap)
+        protected override WorkingBeatmap CreateWorkingBeatmap(IBeatmap beatmap, Storyboard storyboard = null)
         {
-            var working = base.CreateWorkingBeatmap(beatmap);
+            var working = base.CreateWorkingBeatmap(beatmap, storyboard);
             workingWeakReferences.Add(working);
             return working;
         }
diff --git a/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Gameplay/TestSceneSkipOverlay.cs b/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Gameplay/TestSceneSkipOverlay.cs
index b152c21454..875e7b9758 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Gameplay/TestSceneSkipOverlay.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Gameplay/TestSceneSkipOverlay.cs
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@
 using System.Linq;
 using NUnit.Framework;
 using osu.Framework.Graphics;
-using osu.Framework.Graphics.Containers;
-using osu.Framework.Timing;
+using osu.Game.Rulesets.Mods;
+using osu.Game.Rulesets.Osu;
 using osu.Game.Screens.Play;
 using osuTK;
 using osuTK.Input;
@@ -18,25 +18,37 @@ namespace osu.Game.Tests.Visual.Gameplay
         private SkipOverlay skip;
         private int requestCount;
 
+        private double increment;
+
+        private GameplayClockContainer gameplayClockContainer;
+        private GameplayClock gameplayClock;
+
+        private const double skip_time = 6000;
+
         [SetUp]
         public void SetUp() => Schedule(() =>
         {
             requestCount = 0;
-            Child = new Container
+            increment = skip_time;
+
+            Child = gameplayClockContainer = new GameplayClockContainer(CreateWorkingBeatmap(CreateBeatmap(new OsuRuleset().RulesetInfo)), new Mod[] { }, 0)
             {
                 RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.Both,
-                Clock = new FramedOffsetClock(Clock)
-                {
-                    Offset = -Clock.CurrentTime,
-                },
                 Children = new Drawable[]
                 {
-                    skip = new SkipOverlay(6000)
+                    skip = new SkipOverlay(skip_time)
                     {
-                        RequestSeek = _ => requestCount++
+                        RequestSkip = () =>
+                        {
+                            requestCount++;
+                            gameplayClockContainer.Seek(gameplayClock.CurrentTime + increment);
+                        }
                     }
                 },
             };
+
+            gameplayClockContainer.Start();
+            gameplayClock = gameplayClockContainer.GameplayClock;
         });
 
         [Test]
@@ -64,19 +76,35 @@ namespace osu.Game.Tests.Visual.Gameplay
         public void TestClickOnlyActuatesOnce()
         {
             AddStep("move mouse", () => InputManager.MoveMouseTo(skip.ScreenSpaceDrawQuad.Centre));
-            AddStep("click", () => InputManager.Click(MouseButton.Left));
+            AddStep("click", () =>
+            {
+                increment = skip_time - gameplayClock.CurrentTime - GameplayClockContainer.MINIMUM_SKIP_TIME / 2;
+                InputManager.Click(MouseButton.Left);
+            });
             AddStep("click", () => InputManager.Click(MouseButton.Left));
             AddStep("click", () => InputManager.Click(MouseButton.Left));
             AddStep("click", () => InputManager.Click(MouseButton.Left));
             checkRequestCount(1);
         }
 
+        [Test]
+        public void TestClickOnlyActuatesMultipleTimes()
+        {
+            AddStep("set increment lower", () => increment = 3000);
+            AddStep("move mouse", () => InputManager.MoveMouseTo(skip.ScreenSpaceDrawQuad.Centre));
+            AddStep("click", () => InputManager.Click(MouseButton.Left));
+            AddStep("click", () => InputManager.Click(MouseButton.Left));
+            AddStep("click", () => InputManager.Click(MouseButton.Left));
+            AddStep("click", () => InputManager.Click(MouseButton.Left));
+            checkRequestCount(2);
+        }
+
         [Test]
         public void TestDoesntFadeOnMouseDown()
         {
             AddStep("move mouse", () => InputManager.MoveMouseTo(skip.ScreenSpaceDrawQuad.Centre));
             AddStep("button down", () => InputManager.PressButton(MouseButton.Left));
-            AddUntilStep("wait for overlay disapper", () => !skip.IsAlive);
+            AddUntilStep("wait for overlay disappear", () => !skip.IsPresent);
             AddAssert("ensure button didn't disappear", () => skip.Children.First().Alpha > 0);
             AddStep("button up", () => InputManager.ReleaseButton(MouseButton.Left));
             checkRequestCount(0);
diff --git a/osu.Game/Beatmaps/BeatmapInfo.cs b/osu.Game/Beatmaps/BeatmapInfo.cs
index 198046df4f..6e82c465dc 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Beatmaps/BeatmapInfo.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Beatmaps/BeatmapInfo.cs
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Beatmaps
         public string MD5Hash { get; set; }
 
         // General
-        public int AudioLeadIn { get; set; }
+        public double AudioLeadIn { get; set; }
         public bool Countdown { get; set; } = true;
         public float StackLeniency { get; set; } = 0.7f;
         public bool SpecialStyle { get; set; }
diff --git a/osu.Game/Screens/Play/GameplayClock.cs b/osu.Game/Screens/Play/GameplayClock.cs
index 379c4c89ed..d5f75f6ad1 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Screens/Play/GameplayClock.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Screens/Play/GameplayClock.cs
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Play
         public void ProcessFrame()
         {
             // we do not want to process the underlying clock.
-            // this is handled by PauseContainer.
         }
 
         public double ElapsedFrameTime => underlyingClock.ElapsedFrameTime;
diff --git a/osu.Game/Screens/Play/GameplayClockContainer.cs b/osu.Game/Screens/Play/GameplayClockContainer.cs
index 2f2028ff53..0b8bab3ffc 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Screens/Play/GameplayClockContainer.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Screens/Play/GameplayClockContainer.cs
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Play
 
         private readonly double gameplayStartTime;
 
+        private readonly double firstHitObjectTime;
+
         public readonly Bindable<double> UserPlaybackRate = new BindableDouble(1)
         {
             Default = 1,
@@ -66,6 +68,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Play
             this.beatmap = beatmap;
             this.mods = mods;
             this.gameplayStartTime = gameplayStartTime;
+            this.firstHitObjectTime = beatmap.Beatmap.HitObjects.First().StartTime;
 
             RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.Both;
 
@@ -89,6 +92,11 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Play
 
         private double totalOffset => userOffsetClock.Offset + platformOffsetClock.Offset;
 
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Duration before gameplay start time required before skip button displays.
+        /// </summary>
+        public const double MINIMUM_SKIP_TIME = 1000;
+
         private readonly BindableDouble pauseFreqAdjust = new BindableDouble(1);
 
         [BackgroundDependencyLoader]
@@ -97,9 +105,22 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Play
             userAudioOffset = config.GetBindable<double>(OsuSetting.AudioOffset);
             userAudioOffset.BindValueChanged(offset => userOffsetClock.Offset = offset.NewValue, true);
 
-            UserPlaybackRate.ValueChanged += _ => updateRate();
+            // sane default provided by ruleset.
+            double startTime = Math.Min(0, gameplayStartTime);
 
-            Seek(Math.Min(-beatmap.BeatmapInfo.AudioLeadIn, gameplayStartTime));
+            // if a storyboard is present, it may dictate the appropriate start time by having events in negative time space.
+            // this is commonly used to display an intro before the audio track start.
+            startTime = Math.Min(startTime, beatmap.Storyboard.FirstEventTime);
+
+            // some beatmaps specify a current lead-in time which should be used instead of the ruleset-provided value when available.
+            // this is not available as an option in the live editor but can still be applied via .osu editing.
+            if (beatmap.BeatmapInfo.AudioLeadIn > 0)
+                startTime = Math.Min(startTime, firstHitObjectTime - beatmap.BeatmapInfo.AudioLeadIn);
+
+            Seek(startTime);
+
+            adjustableClock.ProcessFrame();
+            UserPlaybackRate.ValueChanged += _ => updateRate();
         }
 
         public void Restart()
@@ -130,6 +151,23 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Play
             this.TransformBindableTo(pauseFreqAdjust, 1, 200, Easing.In);
         }
 
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Skip forward to the next valid skip point.
+        /// </summary>
+        public void Skip()
+        {
+            if (GameplayClock.CurrentTime > gameplayStartTime - MINIMUM_SKIP_TIME)
+                return;
+
+            double skipTarget = gameplayStartTime - MINIMUM_SKIP_TIME;
+
+            if (GameplayClock.CurrentTime < 0 && skipTarget > 6000)
+                // double skip exception for storyboards with very long intros
+                skipTarget = 0;
+
+            Seek(skipTarget);
+        }
+
         /// <summary>
         /// Seek to a specific time in gameplay.
         /// <remarks>
diff --git a/osu.Game/Screens/Play/Player.cs b/osu.Game/Screens/Play/Player.cs
index a9b0649fab..d6488dc209 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Screens/Play/Player.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Screens/Play/Player.cs
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Play
                 },
                 new SkipOverlay(DrawableRuleset.GameplayStartTime)
                 {
-                    RequestSeek = GameplayClockContainer.Seek
+                    RequestSkip = GameplayClockContainer.Skip
                 },
                 FailOverlay = new FailOverlay
                 {
diff --git a/osu.Game/Screens/Play/SkipOverlay.cs b/osu.Game/Screens/Play/SkipOverlay.cs
index 835867fe62..1a5ed20953 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Screens/Play/SkipOverlay.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Screens/Play/SkipOverlay.cs
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ using osu.Framework.Graphics.Sprites;
 using osu.Game.Graphics.Containers;
 using osu.Framework.Input.Bindings;
 using osu.Framework.Input.Events;
+using osu.Framework.MathUtils;
 using osu.Game.Input.Bindings;
 
 namespace osu.Game.Screens.Play
@@ -27,7 +28,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Play
     {
         private readonly double startTime;
 
-        public Action<double> RequestSeek;
+        public Action RequestSkip;
 
         private Button button;
         private Box remainingTimeBox;
@@ -35,6 +36,9 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Play
         private FadeContainer fadeContainer;
         private double displayTime;
 
+        [Resolved]
+        private GameplayClock gameplayClock { get; set; }
+
         public override bool ReceivePositionalInputAt(Vector2 screenSpacePos) => true;
 
         /// <summary>
@@ -45,8 +49,6 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Play
         {
             this.startTime = startTime;
 
-            Show();
-
             RelativePositionAxes = Axes.Both;
             RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.X;
 
@@ -57,13 +59,8 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Play
         }
 
         [BackgroundDependencyLoader(true)]
-        private void load(OsuColour colours, GameplayClock clock)
+        private void load(OsuColour colours)
         {
-            var baseClock = Clock;
-
-            if (clock != null)
-                Clock = clock;
-
             Children = new Drawable[]
             {
                 fadeContainer = new FadeContainer
@@ -73,7 +70,6 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Play
                     {
                         button = new Button
                         {
-                            Clock = baseClock,
                             Anchor = Anchor.Centre,
                             Origin = Anchor.Centre,
                         },
@@ -90,46 +86,42 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Play
             };
         }
 
-        /// <summary>
-        /// Duration before gameplay start time required before skip button displays.
-        /// </summary>
-        private const double skip_buffer = 1000;
-
         private const double fade_time = 300;
 
-        private double beginFadeTime => startTime - fade_time;
+        private double fadeOutBeginTime => startTime - GameplayClockContainer.MINIMUM_SKIP_TIME;
 
         protected override void LoadComplete()
         {
             base.LoadComplete();
 
             // skip is not required if there is no extra "empty" time to skip.
-            if (Clock.CurrentTime > beginFadeTime - skip_buffer)
+            // we may need to remove this if rewinding before the initial player load position becomes a thing.
+            if (fadeOutBeginTime < gameplayClock.CurrentTime)
             {
-                Alpha = 0;
                 Expire();
                 return;
             }
 
-            this.FadeInFromZero(fade_time);
-            using (BeginAbsoluteSequence(beginFadeTime))
-                this.FadeOut(fade_time);
+            button.Action = () => RequestSkip?.Invoke();
+            displayTime = gameplayClock.CurrentTime;
 
-            button.Action = () => RequestSeek?.Invoke(beginFadeTime);
-
-            displayTime = Time.Current;
-
-            Expire();
+            Show();
         }
 
-        protected override void PopIn() => this.FadeIn();
+        protected override void PopIn() => this.FadeIn(fade_time);
 
-        protected override void PopOut() => this.FadeOut();
+        protected override void PopOut() => this.FadeOut(fade_time);
 
         protected override void Update()
         {
             base.Update();
-            remainingTimeBox.ResizeWidthTo((float)Math.Max(0, 1 - (Time.Current - displayTime) / (beginFadeTime - displayTime)), 120, Easing.OutQuint);
+
+            var progress = Math.Max(0, 1 - (gameplayClock.CurrentTime - displayTime) / (fadeOutBeginTime - displayTime));
+
+            remainingTimeBox.Width = (float)Interpolation.Lerp(remainingTimeBox.Width, progress, Math.Clamp(Time.Elapsed / 40, 0, 1));
+
+            button.Enabled.Value = progress > 0;
+            State.Value = progress > 0 ? Visibility.Visible : Visibility.Hidden;
         }
 
         protected override bool OnMouseMove(MouseMoveEvent e)
@@ -335,13 +327,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Play
                 box.FlashColour(Color4.White, 500, Easing.OutQuint);
                 aspect.ScaleTo(1.2f, 2000, Easing.OutQuint);
 
-                bool result = base.OnClick(e);
-
-                // for now, let's disable the skip button after the first press.
-                // this will likely need to be contextual in the future (bound from external components).
-                Enabled.Value = false;
-
-                return result;
+                return base.OnClick(e);
             }
         }
     }
diff --git a/osu.Game/Screens/Select/BeatmapCarousel.cs b/osu.Game/Screens/Select/BeatmapCarousel.cs
index 538656a5fa..17736e7819 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Screens/Select/BeatmapCarousel.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Screens/Select/BeatmapCarousel.cs
@@ -640,10 +640,19 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Select
             itemsCache.Validate();
         }
 
+        private bool firstScroll = true;
+
         private void updateScrollPosition()
         {
             if (scrollTarget != null)
             {
+                if (firstScroll)
+                {
+                    // reduce movement when first displaying the carousel.
+                    scroll.ScrollTo(scrollTarget.Value - 200, false);
+                    firstScroll = false;
+                }
+
                 scroll.ScrollTo(scrollTarget.Value);
                 scrollPositionCache.Validate();
             }
diff --git a/osu.Game/Storyboards/Drawables/DrawableStoryboardSprite.cs b/osu.Game/Storyboards/Drawables/DrawableStoryboardSprite.cs
index 5f1f5ddacb..3a117d1713 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Storyboards/Drawables/DrawableStoryboardSprite.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Storyboards/Drawables/DrawableStoryboardSprite.cs
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Storyboards.Drawables
         [BackgroundDependencyLoader]
         private void load(IBindable<WorkingBeatmap> beatmap, TextureStore textureStore)
         {
-            var path = beatmap.Value.BeatmapSetInfo.Files.Find(f => f.Filename.Equals(Sprite.Path, StringComparison.InvariantCultureIgnoreCase))?.FileInfo.StoragePath;
+            var path = beatmap.Value.BeatmapSetInfo?.Files?.Find(f => f.Filename.Equals(Sprite.Path, StringComparison.InvariantCultureIgnoreCase))?.FileInfo.StoragePath;
             if (path == null)
                 return;
 
diff --git a/osu.Game/Storyboards/Storyboard.cs b/osu.Game/Storyboards/Storyboard.cs
index 3d988c5fe3..401a7ce25a 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Storyboards/Storyboard.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Storyboards/Storyboard.cs
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ namespace osu.Game.Storyboards
 
         public bool HasDrawable => Layers.Any(l => l.Elements.Any(e => e.IsDrawable));
 
+        public double FirstEventTime => Layers.Min(l => l.Elements.FirstOrDefault()?.StartTime ?? 0);
+
         public Storyboard()
         {
             layers.Add("Background", new StoryboardLayer("Background", 3));
diff --git a/osu.Game/Tests/Beatmaps/TestWorkingBeatmap.cs b/osu.Game/Tests/Beatmaps/TestWorkingBeatmap.cs
index 0d9f4f51be..871d8ee3f1 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Tests/Beatmaps/TestWorkingBeatmap.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Tests/Beatmaps/TestWorkingBeatmap.cs
@@ -5,25 +5,31 @@ using osu.Framework.Audio.Track;
 using osu.Framework.Graphics.Textures;
 using osu.Framework.Graphics.Video;
 using osu.Game.Beatmaps;
+using osu.Game.Storyboards;
 
 namespace osu.Game.Tests.Beatmaps
 {
     public class TestWorkingBeatmap : WorkingBeatmap
     {
         private readonly IBeatmap beatmap;
+        private readonly Storyboard storyboard;
 
         /// <summary>
         /// Create an instance which provides the <see cref="IBeatmap"/> when requested.
         /// </summary>
-        /// <param name="beatmap">The beatmap</param>
-        public TestWorkingBeatmap(IBeatmap beatmap)
+        /// <param name="beatmap">The beatmap.</param>
+        /// <param name="storyboard">An optional storyboard.</param>
+        public TestWorkingBeatmap(IBeatmap beatmap, Storyboard storyboard = null)
             : base(beatmap.BeatmapInfo, null)
         {
             this.beatmap = beatmap;
+            this.storyboard = storyboard;
         }
 
         protected override IBeatmap GetBeatmap() => beatmap;
 
+        protected override Storyboard GetStoryboard() => storyboard ?? base.GetStoryboard();
+
         protected override Texture GetBackground() => null;
 
         protected override VideoSprite GetVideo() => null;
diff --git a/osu.Game/Tests/Visual/OsuTestScene.cs b/osu.Game/Tests/Visual/OsuTestScene.cs
index 13e08c7d22..be67c2fe23 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Tests/Visual/OsuTestScene.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Tests/Visual/OsuTestScene.cs
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ using osu.Game.Database;
 using osu.Game.Online.API;
 using osu.Game.Rulesets;
 using osu.Game.Rulesets.Mods;
+using osu.Game.Storyboards;
 using osu.Game.Tests.Beatmaps;
 
 namespace osu.Game.Tests.Visual
@@ -119,10 +120,10 @@ namespace osu.Game.Tests.Visual
         protected virtual IBeatmap CreateBeatmap(RulesetInfo ruleset) => new TestBeatmap(ruleset);
 
         protected WorkingBeatmap CreateWorkingBeatmap(RulesetInfo ruleset) =>
-            CreateWorkingBeatmap(CreateBeatmap(ruleset));
+            CreateWorkingBeatmap(CreateBeatmap(ruleset), null);
 
-        protected virtual WorkingBeatmap CreateWorkingBeatmap(IBeatmap beatmap) =>
-            new ClockBackedTestWorkingBeatmap(beatmap, Clock, audio);
+        protected virtual WorkingBeatmap CreateWorkingBeatmap(IBeatmap beatmap, Storyboard storyboard = null) =>
+            new ClockBackedTestWorkingBeatmap(beatmap, storyboard, Clock, audio);
 
         [BackgroundDependencyLoader]
         private void load(RulesetStore rulesets)
@@ -168,7 +169,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Tests.Visual
             /// <param name="referenceClock">A clock which should be used instead of a stopwatch for virtual time progression.</param>
             /// <param name="audio">Audio manager. Required if a reference clock isn't provided.</param>
             public ClockBackedTestWorkingBeatmap(RulesetInfo ruleset, IFrameBasedClock referenceClock, AudioManager audio)
-                : this(new TestBeatmap(ruleset), referenceClock, audio)
+                : this(new TestBeatmap(ruleset), null, referenceClock, audio)
             {
             }
 
@@ -176,11 +177,12 @@ namespace osu.Game.Tests.Visual
             /// Create an instance which provides the <see cref="IBeatmap"/> when requested.
             /// </summary>
             /// <param name="beatmap">The beatmap</param>
+            /// <param name="storyboard">The storyboard.</param>
             /// <param name="referenceClock">An optional clock which should be used instead of a stopwatch for virtual time progression.</param>
             /// <param name="audio">Audio manager. Required if a reference clock isn't provided.</param>
             /// <param name="length">The length of the returned virtual track.</param>
-            public ClockBackedTestWorkingBeatmap(IBeatmap beatmap, IFrameBasedClock referenceClock, AudioManager audio, double length = 60000)
-                : base(beatmap)
+            public ClockBackedTestWorkingBeatmap(IBeatmap beatmap, Storyboard storyboard, IFrameBasedClock referenceClock, AudioManager audio, double length = 60000)
+                : base(beatmap, storyboard)
             {
                 if (referenceClock != null)
                 {