Old players post here

[Ryu_Hirakashi]

[ZGUY]

I'm in the same boat as you guys. I'm an old fart @ 36.3 years YOUNG! I've been playing for 2.5 years since I first saw the game in Vegas in 2002. Got hooked on it immediately.

My 2 major accomplishments at the arcade: Can do get an A on MAX300, no bar. And can stealth mirror SO DEEP, sometimes with a AA. And lastly, I don't know how to use the bar. No crutches, here. :-)

My current goal is to pass LOM. I can get half way. Then I get tired. I just need to get used to the flow of the steps. It'll become second nature soon where I'm not struggling to get the next set of steps in. I'll get it.

And this is my only source of aerobic exercise due to my crazy hours at work. It keeps me fit. I love it!
_________________

-ZGUY (Arnel)

http://www.z32racing.com

[tempest6]

I don't feel so bad after all, being 36 going on to 37. Even though I play more IN THE GROOVE than DDR, I still try to fit playing some DDR as much as possible. I want to wish everyone here on this board a HAPPY NEW YEAR as 2005 will be arriving (for others, 2005 is already here!). Is that a trip or what? Please reply, over! Thanks!

tempest6

[AuntieM]

I second that!

And for those of us who were actually around to disco dance maybe you can get this excellent public TV show tonight - it's a live disco concert from the Jersey Shore. KC from KC and the Sunshine band is hosting, and I've already watched Wild Cherry, the lead singers from Chic, the Trampps - it's wild. Plus - lots of people our age! Can you say Old School?!

But now I have to put in Pooch and the Pauper so my kids will stay awake.

Happy New Year!!!!!!
_________________

[Slowpoke]

I was never much into that music when it was hot... my idea of a great nostalgic new year's eve show would be to have bands like the Sex Pistols and the Ramones, except most of those guys are dead by now

[hannahlo]

[danburi]

[AuntieM]

Congrats to the danburi and hannahlo on being cancer-free. That's another thing the younger people probably don't hear often. I haven't had cancer myself, but both my son and my father have and both are fine now.

DDR has been great for me too in terms of energy. I didn't play but once or twice a couple of weeks ago, and I was dragging the whole week. It was the first time I actually took a nap in months.

:Sigh: DDR is great; isn't it?
_________________

[danburi]

AuntieM,
Glad your son and father are doing fine

I agree. DDR is really great!! And I’m turning several people to DDR Freak too. Can I get commission for that

My New Year’s accomplishment got A on Love (Hear) shine heavy without speed mod on New Year’s Day. It’s UM2 on home console

[AuntieM]

Congratulations!

Some other friends decided to ring in the New Year with AAAs. They're pretty good, so I'm sure they got them.

In terms of turning people on to DDR - I'm happy to say that out of 8 people who have discovered DDR at our house, 2 got it within a month after trying it and another 3 got it for Christmas. All of their parents have played, and some of the parents are really into it.

Personally, I'm having some really sucky days lately and failing out of 6's, which is depressing. I'm trying to set a good example for the kids - not calling the game stupid too often, just generally stomping around and saying, "Man, I hate it when I lose." and then getting over it, but it's hard!
_________________

[Slowpoke]

[kahuna]

I'm feeling a bit like an old guy here. I turn 31 this month and I started playing DDR yesterday with Stepmania and an Ignition pad. I've been playing on the keyboard for a while.

I'm out of shape (about 30lbs. overweight). I hope that DDR can help me get into shape but best of all I'm having fun so far. I can get a B on most of the songs in beginner mode.

I want to play arcade but the closest machine is a half an hour drive from here and besides people would probably laugh at a paunchy guy with 3 kids stepping up on the stage.

[Ryu_Hirakashi]

[kahuna]

[AuntieM]

Hey, Hirakashi, we're supposed to be supporting and promoting DDR here, not recommending that people do something other than DDR. I know you feel really strongly about how DDR should be played, but I would appreciate it if you would not express those opinions here. This is a place where old people can get together to support one another and share their experiences.

Kahuna, don't worry about being overweight. Some of the really good players that I've seen are overweight. As you probably know, there are testimonials about people who've lost a lot of weight playing, e.g. getupmove.com. I'm personally committed to the idea of DDR as an exercise and weight loss tool, and I think a lot of us oldsters recognize the value in it for exercise. But I'm not going to jump back up on my soapbox again; just look back at my first post for that!

As for trying it at the arcade - in my personal experience it is quite different (read: harder) than doing it at home. If you want to try the arcade, you could scout out locations and when you travel just pop in instead of making the half-hour trip. Or, you could do what I do, which is find an excuse to go to someplace near the arcade (e.g., the mall) and then stop in and play.

It's also easier to play with someone for the first time, or to play when no one is around. The kids are good for that - you can pretend that they're the ones who want to try it and then just get on with them. I played by myself for awhile until I felt sure enough to play in front of people. Now I really enjoy meeting people for a few games. I'm really lucky because there are two machines close by that don't get too much use during the day.

So don't sweat the three kids or the belly. It's just way too much fun to play!
_________________

[tempest6]

Way to go, AuntieM!

I have a friend who has Type 2 diabetes (His blood sugar average used to be 300-500) who started playing DDR six months ago. And now his weight is getting back to normal, his blood sugar average now is 150 - 300, and he's feeling better about himself. Now that's what I call a SUCCESS story for the old players that play DDR. And he's in his 40s! Is that a trip or what? Please reply, over! Thanks!

tempest6

[Ryu_Hirakashi]

[danburi]

Actually Konami is very into fitness things. They even have fitness clubs in Japan. They call it Sports Club. Some thing similar to DDR “Diet Channel” include Dance mode, which is just like DDR. They are publishing this “Diet Channel” as Home Fitness program for PS2.

I used DDR as my workout while I was trying to lose weight. Now I use it to maintain my weight loss along with Stress buster!!! Playing DDR does help me get rid of my stress from work

[AuntieM]

Yeah, I was really surprised to find out about Konami Japan's focus on exercise and gaming. It's very forward-thinking. I wish the concept were promoted more over here.

Think of all the things about DDR that make it an exercise that's easier to stick with:

lots of reinforcements built in: grades on each song, difficulty ratings and levels, ability to unlock songs, visual feedback on steps, dance meter, audience shouts and boos, that guy saying, "Aw! Ya couldn't make it!" and such

Very stimulating visually and auditorially (if that's a word)

easy to play alone or with others

and that's just for game mode. In workout mode you can track all sorts of exercise related things and still enjoy the songs while the steps are a little less complex.

It's really very unique; don't you think?
_________________

[AuntieM]