DDR on TV. Why?

[Player 1]

This is the type of shit that I am talking about. The corporate machine is making DDR the next teletubbie and I'm pissed. I know people are going to tell me that I'm being a jerk and that I should be happy that one of my favorite pastimes is going big. Well, I'm not. I'm bitter. I don't need the cool kids in school getting better/ getting more attention for something that I pride myself in that wasn't cool just two months ago! Either way, here's the link. Download the video and let me know what you think.

http://www.skechers.com/tv/fall2002/

Right click where it says "Dance Dance Revolution" and choose save target as... you know the drill.

[Tragic]

Well dude... this is my take on it:

I saw the commerical and I thought that the guy was being portrayed as somewhat of a loser. I mean, I just saw it and it's after 1 AM so maybe I'm wrong but I think they were going for a "weirdo" or "loser" look for him. If I remember correctly he was dressed kinda strangley. Overall though, no, I don't like it.

[Tain]

Yeah, I've been seeing that commercial quite often. At first, I thought they were portraying him as a bit of a loser, until I saw other commercials in the series. It seems that they are all simply showing people "finding their grooves".

I can stand it. I really don't mind it too much. Maybe I would if I were more of a DDR player.

[Takumi]

I find it kinda funny actually. It's about time this game is getting the recognition and advertising that it deserves.

I've been following the whole DDR "scene" for well over 2 1/2 years now. Back then it really wasn't a scene. Just me and some Asian guys who got called losers but eventually wowed the crowds on the amazing 1.5 Mix Then DDR USA came out and I was happy. New songs from the import mixes I had played, and it was even in more locations nationwide whcih means bigger crowds. When the first import machine (3rd Mix) hit Texas that was the best. E-ROTIC, Smile.dk, and any of the other licensed artists were playable in the USA! Around this time more people started playing the game and more arcades took the risk of importing machines. 4th came and we were like whoa! 4th+, 5th, and DDR MAX continued to introduce people to the scene while the older generation just improved their skills hehe.

Now with the current onslaught of DDR MAX2 and just about all the other mixes in every arcade across the states, DDR has become something cool for kids to play. Personally I'm not as hardcore as I was like with 3rd and 4th Mix, but it is cool to see so many people taking an interest in this game.

It's funny how Konami America hasn't done shit to take advantage of this craze. Because import machines and bootleg kits are all you can find, fuck the domestic versions.

But anywho, I'm glad it's so popular now. I had my fun with it and will still play it when I get a chance, but I think the social aspect of it was more important than the game. I've met so many friends that I still talk to today playing this game, and it serves a hangout spot for guys to go to. I know this is sounding gay but I don't care. I got made fun of playing this game 2 years ago so I don't care :P


Hey kids do you like DDR? Then try the next stage.....

BEATMANIA IIDX !!!! XD

[Player 1]

Funny you should mention Beatmania, Takumi. I got into DDR about a year and a half ago when my local arcade (local being 40 minutes away) had just recently gotten a 3rd mix. My friend and I had done some learning and wowing of crowds (to an extent) and still play at least weekly. Our arcade, 8 on the break, has become somewhat of a gaming Mecca recently. They have a MAX2, DDR Korean 3rd MIX, Para Para Paradise 1st Plus, Beatmania 6th, Metal Slug 4, Soul Calibur 2 and others. Suffice to say I am beginning to make the transition to Beatmania. I'll never stop loving DDR though.

The only reason this ad gets to me is the fact that I don't want DDR becoming something that people do simply because it has been deemed cool by MTV (who has also shown footage of DDR players.) The commercial definitely gives me mixed emotions because I don't like the idea of Sketchers using DDR to turn a profit.

[fiend_of_rejections]

I'm a hardcore DDR fan, but I have to say... most people who play DDR, are just a group of dorks who got/gets shunned from everyday society. People who tend to lack normal social skills often seek refuge through this game... to convort with more dorks who can't relate to 99% of the world.
Am I a dork? Maybe. A social outcast? Definitely.

[impulse]

Why would it not be a good case for a game to get noticed. Arcades barely get much of a crowd these days. The whole purpose for these games were always to attract a crowd and fill rooms. If DDR finally gets more of a mainstream crowd, the better it is.

I just don't get it, some games we want the public to know about and some we don't? Anyway, Skechers needed the rights to have DDR in that commercial, so it's not like Konami doesn't know about it.

Back when Street Fighter 2 came out, it was a great feeling to be in the arcades. People of different cultures played this game. It didn't matter if you were in the in crew or out crew. Cool or not cool, you would be one of the crowd. Everyone shared tips while they watched the current players. That's what was cool.

If this game can mix it up and get people to do the same thing again. I say, job well done ... even if it does improve the Skechers sales.

[dog$]

I remember seeing the threads going around at bemanix for when they were doing the cast call for this thing... I had no idea it'd turn out to be some 10 second "fReAk OuT pInOy aCtIoN fReEsTyLiN yO" clip that was worthless. Most of 'em were pretty pissed, understandably

Eh. I think anyone that's had a reason to form an opinion on DDR has done so by now.

[rezo]

don't bother yourself with why people are playing the game. Does it matter where it gets attention from? If MTV is showing it and people decide to check it out because they think its cool, who cares. Maybe some will like it, and if they're doing it just to be trendy, the arcade will get some money and they'll move on to something else.

remember what people say when its mentioned that FF7 got attention for its cinemas and graphics. apply that to this topic here.

you could even set yourself up as the "smooth" DDR player, or whatever the hell you may want to call yourself, and use your skill to win over the minds and hearts of the popular kids! then you can be one of them!


+

[Stibbons]

Whatever it is that made you initially take notice of DDR, I hate it. I hate that it made you want to play this great series.

You were once new to DDR too. Don't act like you created the game and have to defend it from the newly-educated masses.