Your thoughts and opinions on DDR?

[8ftmetalhead]

Alright, so I'm writing an article on DDR for a school assignment, and I need to gather a wide range of perspectives on the topic.
I figured you guys might be keen to help

Essentially what I'm writing on is DDR being a game that has revolutionised video gaming, turning it into something that gets people fully active and helps them to socialise, have fun, and lose weight.

I did consider putting this in the health and fitness forum, but because I'm also after people's opinions on its general use as a game aswell as fitness product (or vice versa, rather), it seems to fit best in here.

So yeah, if you could post your thoughts on DDR as a game, as a way to socialise, as a fitness tool, in the form of discussion, stories, whatever, it'd be rather useful.

Just understand, your posts might be quoted in my article, so if don't wish for me to quote you, leave a note somewhere in your post.
Cheers.


TL;DR - Post your opinions on DDR to help me write a magazine article.


Also, EDIT - if you have had any negative experiences and such with DDR, they'd be very useful too. cheers.

[delrio]

I got introduced to DDR in late 2009. At first it was just playing on some crap soft pads, getting a feel for how the game works. I quickly worked my way up to most heavy charts, which made me feel like I accomplished something cool. I started going over to a local bowling alley where they have a DDR Extreme, and me and a friend started playing that a lot, and I started getting much better at my timing.

I went to two tournaments over the summer, one just to watch, and the other I participated in, and even though I didn't rank very high, I had a lot of fun meeting other people who played the game.

Over the summer I was in a different location where there was no good DDR machine, but there was a converted ITG2 cabinet a few minutes away, so I played there. From all of my playing there, and at a location in Denver with a Pump machine, I lost over 20 lbs. I never really intended to lose the weight, but I definitely think it was a good thing (I weigh 205 now).

Now I am back to playing on that DDR Extreme again, and it's just great times. I love meeting new people when I play, I have run into some great people while out playing DDR, ITG, and PIU.

I can't play on a home pad at the present, as my apartment has the loudest floors invented, but you will find me hanging out at the mall for some Pump or the bowling alley for some DDR. I'm definitely glad I found this hobby.
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-Jon

Abstraction Point - Electronic Music Community

Fresh Track: Ultralisk - Grüv

[Ryudori]

I started playing in the summer of 2004, after being introduced to the game by a couple of friends. I thought it looked cool, so I bought Max2 and a pad and after about a month and a half, I was on Heavy. Still not too good, but I would play all the time...by the end of the summer I had lost 40 pounds (205-165).

I went to the arcades and met a bunch of cool people, but it wasn't until December 2006, I went to a tournament at a local library and won. I started hanging out there afterwards for game nights where they would set up DDR and some other stuff, and made friends that I have to this day...one's even now my boyfriend.

Then I stopped playing about 2 years ago cause I graduated and had to start doing the whole real world full time job thing, and a variety of other personal reasons, but I picked it back up recently. It's an awesome game and fun as hell. I missed playing it.

TL;DR -- Made friends, lost 40 pounds, got back into playing
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My DDRecall. Drop me a challenge or something

[8ftmetalhead]

Sweet.
Just to check, are you female? If you're not, awesome, but if you are, even more awesome, because i need the opinions of girls

[__]

It has changed the face of gaming so much that I designed a whole website dedicated to that very concept.

I've been involved with the game for 8 years now and can say from hands on experience that I have seen the concept of gaming change in part because of the innovation involved with "peripheral" gaming (as it's called).

Do you live on the east coast?

[8ftmetalhead]

Na, I'm down in New Zealand.
IE off the tail of Australia.

Cheers for the reply though

[__]

It figures you are on the other side of the rock from me.

[8ftmetalhead]

Bugger that, why were you keen anyway?

[__]

I wanted to go do a personal interview.

[recoil56]

I think I might actually answer one of these today when i get back. Funny how I've never thought about doing one...

BTW i'm too lazy rite no to go to atlantic subforums so Ninja who won KOTC2?
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Politically Correct (JFK) wrote:

some kid devised an evil plan to make the mod have to click 3 different things and sigh to himself.

[recoil56]

[8ftmetalhead]

an amazing response, thanks for the effort recoil

And ninja, I could try organise something if you're up for it. Not sure how, but if it's needed I'd be keen.