DDR Community Study - replies greatly appreciated

[BDecker19]

Hey folks,

My name's Ben Decker and I'm doing a research paper on video game fan communities for a class at MIT. I'm a noob to DDR, but I'm very much enjoying it and am very much impressed with it. The focus of the paper is on how the structure of games influences their external design dialogues, where external design dialogue refers to everything about a game besides the game itself (forums, fan sites, conventions... etc.). To get at this idea, I'm examining some of the different motivations for fan participation in general, then examing some of the variables that likely influence differnt game communities, and then lastly I'm trying to apply this framework to a specific game.

Anyway, I'm hoping you guys can maybe help me out a bit. While definitely I'm a bit of a fanatic for certain other games (Civ, for instance, and Zelda), I don't know much about the DDR community. I've posted some questions below to get the conversation going -- feel free to skim through them. Really though I'm just trying to get a sense of why people like DDR and how they express this affinity. So anything you have to say on the subject, about yourself or about others, would be tremendously helpful. So thank you so much, -Ben

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How long have you been playing DDR? Which DDR games have you played, and do you have a favorite among them? How much do you play on average?

In what form do you play? Do you play at home or at arcades? If at home, do you play primarily alone, with friends, or online (can one play online?) Are you in any sort off DDR group or do you know anyone who is, and if so, what do you/they do in it?

Do you dance besides in the game? Either way, what in your mind differentiates the game from regular dancing? What do you like best about the DDR games? Do you care about the sense of accomplishment the game can provide by having disctinct levels to beat and a score to record your progress? To feel any sense of fantasy when playing the game?

What sorts of external participation do you engage in? Do you post to forums (including this one) often? Have you created any sort of DDR media -- wallpapers, alternate storylines, video clips... etc.? If so, did you make them available online? Have you ever created informational pages--walkthroughs or FAQs or the like? Have you ever been to an DDR convention or other event? What other games do you like, and do you participate in those fan communities as well?

To what extent do you think your participation in the DDR community (and, in fact, your use of DDR itself) derives from a desire for closer connection to people, as opposed to closer connection to the game? Do you feel you've to know people through either the game or the fan community? Do you feel you've gotten particularly close to anyone through the game or the fan community? If not, are these things you'd be interested in?

[Phrekwenci]

I'll reply with something later on today.
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Best thread on DDR Freak winnar | Second best thread | Posting and You...

[BDecker19]

Ok, thank.

[dinsfire]

[Hlavco]

[Ryudori]

How long have you been playing DDR? 2 and a half years

Which DDR games have you played, and do you have a favorite among them? Played all of the home versions for PS2 and 4th Mix, Extreme, and Supernova at the arcades. My favorite is still Extreme AC

How much do you play on average? 1 1/2 to 2 hours a day if I am not working

In what form do you play? Do you play at home or at arcades? I play at both but prefer the arcades. It's cool meeting other people who play.

If at home, do you play primarily alone, with friends, or online (can one play online?) If I'm playing at home I play alone or occasionally with my boyfriend.

Are you in any sort off DDR group or do you know anyone who is, and if so, what do you/they do in it? Sort of. My library has DDR set up once a week and a bunch of us come in to play. We have tournaments occasionally and its pretty fun.

Do you dance besides in the game? Either way, what in your mind differentiates the game from regular dancing? No but I want to learn how to breakdance. DDR is definately different than real dancing because real dancing involves the entire body as opposed to just the legs.


What do you like best about the DDR games? Do you care about the sense of accomplishment the game can provide by having disctinct levels to beat and a score to record your progress? To feel any sense of fantasy when playing the game? I like the fun and competition of always trying to improve. I do get a great sense of satisfaction from beating a song I couldn't previously pass or improving my scores.

Do you post to forums (including this one) often? Have you created any sort of DDR media -- wallpapers, alternate storylines, video clips... etc.? If so, did you make them available online? Have you ever created informational pages--walkthroughs or FAQs or the like? I post on this forum frequently and occasionally on Cobaltflux.com. The only DDR media I have going is a fanfic still in progress.

Have you ever been to an DDR convention or other event? Yes, many times

What other games do you like, and do you participate in those fan communities as well? I play alot of other different games but don't really participate much in the communities.

To what extent do you think your participation in the DDR community (and, in fact, your use of DDR itself) derives from a desire for closer connection to people, as opposed to closer connection to the game? Do you feel you've to know people through either the game or the fan community? Do you feel you've gotten particularly close to anyone through the game or the fan community? If not, are these things you'd be interested in? I've met many people through DDR, some I am more close with than others. I met my boyfriend through a DDR/gaming club and a bunch of other people I am still close with today.

Hope I helped you out.
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My DDRecall. Drop me a challenge or something

[DARREN HAYEZ]

How long have you been playing DDR? Which DDR games have you played, and do you have a favorite among them? How much do you play on average?

About 3 years. I own MAX2, EXTREME, and EXTREME 2 for the PS2 console, and I have played the arcade version of EXTREME. My favorite PS2 version is MAX2. I used to play at home a lot, and when I did I would play for an hour or so. Now I mostly only play at the arcade and I stay for at least 2 hours.

In what form do you play? Do you play at home or at arcades? If at home, do you play primarily alone, with friends, or online (can one play online?) Are you in any sort off DDR group or do you know anyone who is, and if so, what do you/they do in it?

I mostly play at the arcade now, because I have gotten bored with playing at home. I usually play alone, but sometimes I will play with other people who are at the arcade.

Do you dance besides in the game? Either way, what in your mind differentiates the game from regular dancing? What do you like best about the DDR games? Do you care about the sense of accomplishment the game can provide by having disctinct levels to beat and a score to record your progress? To feel any sense of fantasy when playing the game?

No, besides DDR I don't dance at all, and I pretty much refuse to. Unless one is freestyling, DDR is really nothing like dancing. If you saw someone rapidly moving their feet around on a dance floor, would you think they were dancing? I like that the games inprove my coordination and give me some exercise (since I don't play any sports). I do care about accomplishments - it's always a thrill to beat your best score on a song. Fantasy? What?

What sorts of external participation do you engage in? Do you post to forums (including this one) often? Have you created any sort of DDR media -- wallpapers, alternate storylines, video clips... etc.? If so, did you make them available online? Have you ever created informational pages--walkthroughs or FAQs or the like? Have you ever been to an DDR convention or other event? What other games do you like, and do you participate in those fan communities as well?

I'm on DDRFreak often, but other than that I haven't really done anything related to DDR. I hope so enter tournaments in the future though. I also belong to ITGFreak, and sometimes I post on the Sims.com forums.

To what extent do you think your participation in the DDR community (and, in fact, your use of DDR itself) derives from a desire for closer connection to people, as opposed to closer connection to the game? Do you feel you've to know people through either the game or the fan community? Do you feel you've gotten particularly close to anyone through the game or the fan community? If not, are these things you'd be interested in?

I have met quite a few people through the DDR community, whether it was on this site or at the arcade. And yes, I think that DDR has given me the opportunity to make some new friends I probably would have never met otherwise.
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[Apoc]

[GotACoolName]

How long have you been playing DDR? Which DDR games have you played, and do you have a favorite among them? How much do you play on average?

I've been playing since late August 2002, so it's been a little over four years.

Of the arcade versions, I have played DDR MAX 2 and DDR EXTREME. At home I have played DDR Konamix, DDR MAX, DDR MAX 2, DDR EXTREME, and DDR Ultramix. My favorite mixes are DDR MAX 2 (followed closely by EXTREME) at the arcade and DDR MAX for Playstation 2.

I go to the arcade to play on Fridays and sometimes Saturdays. I play for about a half an hour at home every few days.

In what form do you play? Do you play at home or at arcades? If at home, do you play primarily alone, with friends, or online (can one play online?) Are you in any sort off DDR group or do you know anyone who is, and if so, what do you/they do in it?

If by form you mean what type of controller to use, then the answer is that I use a dance pad for actual DDR play and a keyboard for simulation play (Stepmania).

Both, but I definitely prefer the arcade experience.

I play alone. My friends scarcely come over, anyway. I do believe one can play online via XBox live with the Ultramixes, but I don't have an XBox, so I don't.

I am not in any DDR groups, and I know no one whom is in one. But I have seen many people at DDR Freak whom are in a group.

Do you dance besides in the game? Either way, what in your mind differentiates the game from regular dancing? What do you like best about the DDR games? Do you care about the sense of accomplishment the game can provide by having disctinct levels to beat and a score to record your progress? To feel any sense of fantasy when playing the game?

I don't dance at all.

DDR is in no way related to dancing, aside from its title and the fact that its gameplay involves moving your feet (and if that's how you define dancing, then almost any physical activity could be considered dancing).

They're fun. It's that simple.

Of course. I have virtually no physical talents, so being decent at DDR and being able to constantly get better at it is definitely a boost for my self-esteem.

I'm afraid I don't understand this question.

What sorts of external participation do you engage in? Do you post to forums (including this one) often? Have you created any sort of DDR media -- wallpapers, alternate storylines, video clips... etc.? If so, did you make them available online? Have you ever created informational pages--walkthroughs or FAQs or the like? Have you ever been to an DDR convention or other event? What other games do you like, and do you participate in those fan communities as well?

I post on DDR Freak quite frequently, as well as ITG Freak. I take pictures and videos of my home version accomplishments (I don't want to bring my camera to the arcade) and post them in the age 13-30 accomplishments thread in this forum's DDR Gameplay board, as well as on my MySpace profile. I also play Stepmania.

I do participate in the communities of certain online games, but I'm not nearly as active in their cases as I am with DDR.

To what extent do you think your participation in the DDR community (and, in fact, your use of DDR itself) derives from a desire for closer connection to people, as opposed to closer connection to the game? Do you feel you've to know people through either the game or the fan community? Do you feel you've gotten particularly close to anyone through the game or the fan community? If not, are these things you'd be interested in?

I really don't think I ever played DDR because of a desire for connecting with other people. I'm one of those STFU-and-leave-me-alone people in real life.

But I definitely have gotten to know a lot of people through DDR. I've made some friends through the game at the arcades I've gone to and even a few online.

I would love to be closer to some other people than I am right now. I really don't feel like they're friend-friends, but more people whom I just say hi to whenever I pass them by.
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Brawl FC: 4725-7610-1200

[naoki_fangirl]

How long have you been playing DDR? Which DDR games have you played, and do you have a favorite among them? How much do you play on average?

I've been playing for about 11 months, a year in a few weeks. I've played Max through SuperNOVA for home versions, and just Extreme for arcade. Max2 has the best Training Mode and overall interface, I love SuperNOVA's graphics, and Extreme2 has awesome replay, so I'd say I like those the most. <3 Because I have school right now, I usually only have time to play at least an hour a day, but I'll squeeze in more if I have time.

In what form do you play? Do you play at home or at arcades? If at home, do you play primarily alone, with friends, or online (can one play online?) Are you in any sort off DDR group or do you know anyone who is, and if so, what do you/they do in it?

I play with a plastic mat. When I'm tired or just want to do a hard song, I'll use a contoller. I play at home, as there aren't any real close machines to where I live, though my closest arcade has an ITG2 (which replaced their old Extreme cab). I usually play alone, though when my friends come over we all will play. A few friends and I want to form a club at our school sometime... if we can.

Do you dance besides in the game? Either way, what in your mind differentiates the game from regular dancing? What do you like best about the DDR games? Do you care about the sense of accomplishment the game can provide by having disctinct levels to beat and a score to record your progress? To feel any sense of fantasy when playing the game?

I don't dance outside of DDR, unless it's for a school dance or something (and I probably won't even go to that). Real dancing differs as there aren't any pannels or patterns to execute; you just... dance. I like how innovative DDR is, taking dancing to a whole different level, and not a game some random bystander can play well without practice (unless the have insane mad skillz). I like the different levels, though Standard and Heavy are mostly the only levels I do. I feel accomplished when I get a really good score on a tough song, but most of the time AAs don't satisfy me to a full extent.

What sorts of external participation do you engage in? Do you post to forums (including this one) often? Have you created any sort of DDR media -- wallpapers, alternate storylines, video clips... etc.? If so, did you make them available online? Have you ever created informational pages--walkthroughs or FAQs or the like? Have you ever been to an DDR convention or other event? What other games do you like, and do you participate in those fan communities as well?

The only forum I'm in is DDRFreak, and because of school, I don't have a whole lot of time to post. D: I've -attempted- to create a fanfic, but I got lazy about it. I've also made a plushie of Maeda-san just because I love him so much. I also got lazy on making an FAQ, and I really wanna go to a DDR convention some time.

In addition to DDR, I regularly play RPGs and the likes- Nintendo games, as I'm not too into the PS2, but I don't really participate in fan communities.

To what extent do you think your participation in the DDR community (and, in fact, your use of DDR itself) derives from a desire for closer connection to people, as opposed to closer connection to the game? Do you feel you've to know people through either the game or the fan community? Do you feel you've gotten particularly close to anyone through the game or the fan community? If not, are these things you'd be interested in?

I know a few people that play DDR, one on this site and the other on a different one (it's not a DDR site, though). I'm close friends with both of them, and the guy I know from DDRFreak lives in/around the same city as I do. I would really like to be friends with a lot more DDR fans, because I don't really feel like I have a whole lot of friends, though I'm sure I do. On the other hand, I have a few friends at school who enjoy DDR and are pretty good at it; they're all able to play Standard, though not a lot more than that.

Hope this helped you! ;3
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[dinsfire]

MIT = Minnesota Institute of Technology? If so I'm in the area.

[Suburban Knight]

[Tyrgannus]

[Cartoonist]

How long have you been playing DDR? Which DDR games have you played, and do you have a favorite among them? How much do you play on average?
Been playing controller/keyboard for a year and a half, pad for a month and a half (already doing 9 footers though 0_o)
Played DDR Disney's Rave, DS Euromix, and DS Megamix, DS Supernova and DDR Extreme. No favourite though.

In what form do you play? Do you play at home or at arcades? If at home, do you play primarily alone, with friends, or online (can one play online?) Are you in any sort off DDR group or do you know anyone who is, and if so, what do you/they do in it?
I play both. I rarely get to go to the arcade, so mostly at home. And when I play at home, I play A LOT. I usually play alone, and none of the ones I've played (SuperNOVA is at the arcade ) actually support online play. No, no DDR groups. DDR is only a little more popular than the pieces of dust around you over here.

Do you dance besides in the game? Either way, what in your mind differentiates the game from regular dancing? What do you like best about the DDR games? Do you care about the sense of accomplishment the game can provide by having disctinct levels to beat and a score to record your progress? To feel any sense of fantasy when playing the game?
The difference between DDR and regular dancing is that DDR is really "hitting arrows accurately". I like DDR because... well, it's fun. I dont really do it for the exercise, Im already exercised enough. Dont really care about scores and perfects and AAA's, I care more about passing (usually getting B or A on them). No fantasy.

What sorts of external participation do you engage in? Do you post to forums (including this one) often? Have you created any sort of DDR media -- wallpapers, alternate storylines, video clips... etc.? If so, did you make them available online? Have you ever created informational pages--walkthroughs or FAQs or the like? Have you ever been to an DDR convention or other event? What other games do you like, and do you participate in those fan communities as well?
I like many other games, too many to list. No to everything else except the forum one.

To what extent do you think your participation in the DDR community (and, in fact, your use of DDR itself) derives from a desire for closer connection to people, as opposed to closer connection to the game? Do you feel you've to know people through either the game or the fan community? Do you feel you've gotten particularly close to anyone through the game or the fan community? If not, are these things you'd be interested in?
I've gotten to know people from the game, not really get close friends or anything from it though. My participation mostly comes from a close connection to the actual game.

Well, that was pretty fun, hope it helped you too.
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Stop showing off your "haxing skills" with backwards info guys, this trick is ooooold news.

[DarkCore]

How long have you been playing DDR?

Two and a half months (72 days)

Which DDR games have you played, and do you have a favorite among them?

Versions I've played at the arcade in order from favourite to least favourite:

-In The Groove 2
-DDR Extreme
-DDR SuperNOVA
-DDR 5th Mix
-DDR US

Versions I've played at home also in order from favourite to least favourite:

-In The Groove
-DDR Extreme 2
-DDR SuperNOVA
-DDR Max 2
-Pump it Up
-DDR Mario Mix

How much do you play on average?

One to four hours every day.

In what form do you play? Do you play at home or at arcades? If at home, do you play primarily alone, with friends, or online (can one play online?)

I play at the arcades and at home. When I play at home, I usually play alone, but occasionally my mom or one of my friends will try some songs on light mode. I only have one friend that's actually interested in DDR though.

Are you in any sort off DDR group or do you know anyone who is, and if so, what do you/they do in it?

No, but I'd like to be in one once I improve.

Do you dance besides in the game? Either way, what in your mind differentiates the game from regular dancing?

No, I don't dance in real life nor do I like dancing. In my opinion the game is totally different.

Similarities:
-You learn steps and patterns.
-You create a rhythm with your feet like in tap-dancing.
-You can throw in your own moves whenever you like.

Differences:
-If your not freestyling, you are bascically only moving your feet.
-You don't have to do any moves at all.
-In real dancing, and you do a "step" incorrectly, it isn't as noticable as in DDR.

What do you like best about the DDR games?

I like the fact that you draw a crowd when you play at the arcades. I also like the catchy techno songs.

Do you care about the sense of accomplishment the game can provide by having disctinct levels to beat and a score to record your progress? To feel any sense of fantasy when playing the game?

When I complete a difficult song that I thought I could never pass I feel like I've accomplished something really great. When playing the game I fantisize about beating the best players in the game in a tournament. I also wonder what it would be like to be able to pass hard songs backwards like I've seen many people do.

What sorts of external participation do you engage in?

I've been to an In The Groove tournament, and I plan to go to some DDR tournaments in my location sometime.

Do you post to forums (including this one) often?

Yes, I post here everyday. I go on the Cobalt Flux and Mymybox forums also but not often. I go on the Cobalt Flux forums when I need help with my Cobalt Flux pad, and I go on the Mymybox forums to check out the new pads that they may be coming out with.

Have you created any sort of DDR media -- wallpapers, alternate storylines, video clips... etc.? If so, did you make them available online?

I've tried to make some DDR edits on Stepmania, but I usually quit halfway through. I've taken many pictures of my DDR pads/games and posted them online though.

Have you ever created informational pages--walkthroughs or FAQs or the like?

No, but I try to help other people on these forums with stuff.

Have you ever been to an DDR convention or other event?

Yes, I went to the In The Groove - Remember September tournament in Toronto recently. I plan to go to some more tournaments since I had such a good time watching some of the best ITG players.

What other games do you like, and do you participate in those fan communities as well?

I like other rhythm games such as Pump it Up, Stepmania, Beatmania, and Percussion Master. I also like Kingdom Hearts and Tony Hawk games. I don't participate in any of those communities though as I prefer DDR/ITG.

To what extent do you think your participation in the DDR community (and, in fact, your use of DDR itself) derives from a desire for closer connection to people, as opposed to closer connection to the game?

I participate in DDR communities and play DDR at the arcades because I like meeting other people who also enjoy playing DDR.

Do you feel you've to know people through either the game or the fan community? Do you feel you've gotten particularly close to anyone through the game or the fan community? If not, are these things you'd be interested in?

I haven't really gotten to know people as "friends", but that's definitely something I'd be interested in. However I know some of the best DDR/ITG players from hearing of them and watching them play.
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That was pretty fun, and I hope I helped.

[Razma]

This post is going to make me sound nice and old...
How long have you been playing DDR? Which DDR games have you played, and do you have a favorite among them? How much do you play on average?

Right around 7 years. I started on a US 1st mix and have played every arcade version with "Mix" in the title. (Yes, this includes Euromix games.) I've played on Solo machines also. I own every PS2 version of the game from the NTSC territories and I own a good number of PS1 versions. My favorite mix was probably 3rd Mix. That is when I got very deep into the game and, at that time, it was still in its infancy here in the US, so I was rather unique. I play about one game (4-5 songs) a day, more on weekends.

In what form do you play? Do you play at home or at arcades? If at home, do you play primarily alone, with friends, or online (can one play online?) Are you in any sort off DDR group or do you know anyone who is, and if so, what do you/they do in it?

Its difficult for me to play at home (because of space restraints) but I also manage an arcade, so I get to play there (for free!) There is a small player group that comes here that I occasionally join, but most times, I play alone because it lets me challenge myself instead of being bored of other people's challenges. Also, Doubles Mode is the mode for me.

Do you dance besides in the game? Either way, what in your mind differentiates the game from regular dancing? What do you like best about the DDR games? Do you care about the sense of accomplishment the game can provide by having disctinct levels to beat and a score to record your progress? To feel any sense of fantasy when playing the game?

I do absolutely no dancing regularly. I used to do stage productions that would require some dancing/coreography, but thats just about it. DDR isn't dancing, its playing a game, to a specific rhythm, just using your feet. (For a good example of a similar game, but with use of hands, please look up Pop'N Music and beatmania IIDX.) Back in the day (whoo, old timers!!!) scores weren't very important, just getting through any kind of Catastrophic song (which is a 9-footer, now) would be enough to earn praise from the group. Now, you need to get high AAs and AAAs to even be thought of as competitive in nature, so the magic has mostly died.

What sorts of external participation do you engage in? Do you post to forums (including this one) often? Have you created any sort of DDR media -- wallpapers, alternate storylines, video clips... etc.? If so, did you make them available online? Have you ever created informational pages--walkthroughs or FAQs or the like? Have you ever been to an DDR convention or other event? What other games do you like, and do you participate in those fan communities as well?

I post on the DDR Freak forums regularly and I also am a frequent visitor to Bemanistyle. From past tournaments, I have made videos that were available participants and I have also created private use simfiles. When it comes to FAQs. I've always tried to be one of the first to post unlocks/etc for home version, but otherwise, I just mostly play and wait for other people to post it. I am a tournament organizer and have had alarge number of successful tourneys under my belt. As of right now, I'm in the planning stages with other people in the US, to create a big tournament sometime in the future (keep your eyes open.)
Outside of DDR, I'm a huge Street Fighter fan and have been regularly in competitive play for fighting games (since I was 8... I'm 20 now).

To what extent do you think your participation in the DDR community (and, in fact, your use of DDR itself) derives from a desire for closer connection to people, as opposed to closer connection to the game? Do you feel you've to know people through either the game or the fan community? Do you feel you've gotten particularly close to anyone through the game or the fan community? If not, are these things you'd be interested in?

Through the years, I've met hundreds of people through DDR and other bemani games, but I usually find myself fading away from the community when drama/egos are involved. I don't have too many real friends from the DDR community because nothing is what it used to be. The only people I still talk to and hang out with are the ones that either play for fun, or don't go gloating about their scores to every hill and mountain. Many of the newer generation players I cannot stand because of their sheer ignorance to the fact that the game was different at one point and the people that used to play paved the road, in terms of public awareness, for them to even know about the game. . . I'd better end here before I get into a larger rant.
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what is an economic recession?

[Ebdain]

[UncertainKitten]

How long have you been playing DDR? Which DDR games have you played, and do you have a favorite among them? How much do you play on average?

I've played about 2 years, played Max, Max2, Extreme, Extreme 2, and SuperNOVA. SuperNOVA and Extreme in arcade as well. My favorite would be SuperNOVA arcade. I play approximately 7-8 hours a week.,

In what form do you play? Do you play at home or at arcades? If at home, do you play primarily alone, with friends, or online (can one play online?) Are you in any sort off DDR group or do you know anyone who is, and if so, what do you/they do in it?

I play Perfect Attack style. I play both at home and at the arcade. I play alone at home primarily. I wish I had a DDR Club, and if I weren't a senior, and therefore unlikely to see it while I was there, I'd start one myself.

Do you dance besides in the game? Either way, what in your mind differentiates the game from regular dancing? What do you like best about the DDR games? Do you care about the sense of accomplishment the game can provide by having disctinct levels to beat and a score to record your progress? To feel any sense of fantasy when playing the game?

I nevar dance otherwise. And if I did, I know it would be very different. I like how DDR is deceptively simple, and how it impresses people even if you can only do 7 footers. Yeah, I love pwning scores. And no, nothing really fantastic, but hey, I do sorta go in a different zone when playing.

What sorts of external participation do you engage in? Do you post to forums (including this one) often? Have you created any sort of DDR media -- wallpapers, alternate storylines, video clips... etc.? If so, did you make them available online? Have you ever created informational pages--walkthroughs or FAQs or the like? Have you ever been to an DDR convention or other event? What other games do you like, and do you participate in those fan communities as well?

I do post here sometimes, mostly read it though. Mostly forum person, although I talk about DDR a lot, and try to invite people to the arcade. Never created DDR media, but I do have custom tokens for the token line. Nothing informational has been created by me. I WISH I could go to a DDR tourney, convention, etc. I still plan to try. I like Final Fantasy, actually, RPGs in general, but am not really a fanboy in the stereotypical sense.

To what extent do you think your participation in the DDR community (and, in fact, your use of DDR itself) derives from a desire for closer connection to people, as opposed to closer connection to the game? Do you feel you've to know people through either the game or the fan community? Do you feel you've gotten particularly close to anyone through the game or the fan community? If not, are these things you'd be interested in?

My participation in the community is more from the game itself I believe. I've gotten to like people more, but really, DDR is our original tie. Sometimes I find other matching likes, and that is fun, but generally DDR is the tie that binds, so to speak. I've gotten to know people a lot better through the game mostly. And yeah, I've gotten closer to an old friend of mine I think.

Well, that was fun. I hope this was helpful.
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[quote:c3308359af="R@YGOLD"]
because a lot of people go on youtube for a lot of reasons, most of the retarded.[/quote]

Just so he'll change his name.

[Kalek]

How long have you been playing DDR?
I'll be finishing my third year on Christmas day

Which DDR games have you played, and do you have a favorite among them?
Uh...Let's see, I've played (arcade)ITG2, ITG1, DDR Extreme, DDRMAX2, DDR 5th, DDR 4th plus, DDR SuperNOVA, (home) ITG2PS2 beta, ITG1PS2, ITG PC (both ITG1 and ITG2 style), DDR SuperNOVA, DDR Extreme 2, DDR Strike, DDR Extreme US and JP, DDR Festival, DDR Party Collection, DDRMAX JP and US, DDRMAX2 JP and US, DDR Konamix, DDR Disney Rave US, DDR Extra Mix, DDR 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th, and DDR PC.

How much do you play on average?
Depends on what you mean by "play". I play at the arcade once or twice a week on feet. I play StepMania with fingers at home every day and homeversions using a DS controller many times a week.

In what form do you play?
I play arcade, home, StepMania, just about every form.

Do you play at home or at arcades?
I used to be a home player, but now I play mostly at the arcade

If at home, do you play primarily alone, with friends, or online (can one play online?)
When I was a home player, I played mostly alone, though my brother, sister, nephew and I all played together for a long time (but my brother lost intrest and my sister and her son moved to Texas)

Are you in any sort off DDR group or do you know anyone who is, and if so, what do you/they do in it?
I am a member of OhioDDR. In Ohio, I am a member of two teams: Team Shuto and Team Whip-It-Out (though teams aren't really what you think they would be)

Do you dance besides in the game?
Not really

Either way, what in your mind differentiates the game from regular dancing?
The fact that it tells me what to do

What do you like best about the DDR games?
The music

Do you care about the sense of accomplishment the game can provide by having disctinct levels to beat and a score to record your progress?
Yes, I care very much about my scores.

To feel any sense of fantasy when playing the game?
Not really that I can think of

What sorts of external participation do you engage in?
I hang out a lot (sometimes outside of DDR) with the people that play in Ohio. In fact, one of my best friends I met through DDR.

Do you post to forums (including this one) often?
Yes. Many times a day

Have you created any sort of DDR media -- wallpapers, alternate storylines, video clips... etc.?
Yes, I've created dance steps to music for StepMania.

If so, did you make them available online?
I have with some.

Have you ever created informational pages--walkthroughs or FAQs or the like?
Yeah, I made a guide about hacking ITGPS2. It can be found on this forum in the In The Groove board in the topic "Guide: How to UnPack ITGPS2" on page 10.

Have you ever been to an DDR convention or other event?
Yeah, I go to tournaments pretty much whenever they happen in Ohio.

What other games do you like, and do you participate in those fan communities as well?
This is about the only one that I participate in communities for. I've enjoyed other games, but not enough to do anything social with it.

To what extent do you think your participation in the DDR community (and, in fact, your use of DDR itself) derives from a desire for closer connection to people, as opposed to closer connection to the game?
I play a lot because of the people. I think if it wasn't for the community, I wouldn't be playing (or at least not as much).

Do you feel you've to know people through either the game or the fan community?
Yeah, I have many friends and people that I have gotten to know through the community.

Do you feel you've gotten particularly close to anyone through the game or the fan community?
Yeah, like I mentioned earlier, a few of my best friends I met through DDR.

[Toji]

How long have you been playing DDR?
Three years

Which DDR games have you played, and do you have a favorite among them?

Arcade
- DDR 3rd Mix
- DDR 4th Mix
- DDRMAX
- DDRMAX2
- DDR Extreme
- DDR Supernova

Home
- DDR 4th Mix
- DDR 5th Mix
- DDRMAX2
- DDR Extreme

Don't really have a particular favourite mix

How much do you play on average?
At the arcades, about an hour or so once a week. At home, at least 30 minutes a day

In what form do you play?
Arcade and home

Do you play at home or at arcades?
Both, but I play more at home than at arcade

If at home, do you play primarily alone, with friends, or online (can one play online?)
Alone

Are you in any sort off DDR group or do you know anyone who is, and if so, what do you/they do in it?
No

Do you dance besides in the game?
No

Either way, what in your mind differentiates the game from regular dancing?
You're stomping arrows.

What do you like best about the DDR games?
The songs, and a nice change from most games

Do you care about the sense of accomplishment the game can provide by having disctinct levels to beat and a score to record your progress?
Yeah. It's nice to know, based off the scores, whether you've improved in playing the game or not

To feel any sense of fantasy when playing the game?
No

What sorts of external participation do you engage in?
None yet.

Do you post to forums (including this one) often?
I tend to just read the threads in forums, rather than posting in them

Have you created any sort of DDR media -- wallpapers, alternate storylines, video clips... etc.?
No

If so, did you make them available online?
No

Have you ever created informational pages--walkthroughs or FAQs or the like?
I did a simple beginner's guide for a uni assignment in first year.

Have you ever been to an DDR convention or other event?
No

What other games do you like, and do you participate in those fan communities as well? Fighting, shoot 'em ups, RPGs. I don't participate in those communities

To what extent do you think your participation in the DDR community (and, in fact, your use of DDR itself) derives from a desire for closer connection to people, as opposed to closer connection to the game?
I don't play with the intent on meeting new people, but I've made a few friends as a result of playing the game anyway.

Do you feel you've to know people through either the game or the fan community?
Yeah, through the game

Do you feel you've gotten particularly close to anyone through the game or the fan community?
No. While I have made friends through the game, I wouldn't call them close friends.
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