Learning to Play DDR at the Arcade or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying About How Stupid I Look “Dancing” in Public
December 2007 Issue
Features
- From the Editors
- Craft Check: Gamer Cake
- Gaming in the Media: Cyber-Stupidity: Jade Raymond Edition
- Market to Me: Female Protagonists
Interviews
Articles
- Gender & Live-Action Role Play: Identity Crisis
Author: Samara Hayley Steele
- Naked and Terrified
Author: Elizabeth McDonald and Karen Healey
- “My Mom Likes Your Game”
Author: Mara Poulsen
- Speaking from Authority
Author: Richard Pilbeam
In this ongoing series, Samara shares her experiences as a female LARPer in a male-dominated LARP Organization.
Elizabeth and Karen dialogue on a set of miniatures called “Hot Chicks 3.1: Naked Distress”.
Mara looks at the casual gaming industry and what it means for female gamers.
Richard discusses the default "he" and what it says about sexism in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
Gamer Stories
Reviews
I first played Dance Dance Revolution at a party. I’m not sure which mix of DDR we played, however I am fairly certain it was a Japanese import which we played on a modified PlayStation 2. I was quite hesitant to try the game surrounded by so many people – there were about 20 people in the room watching. The level of skill ranged from absolute beginners like myself to people who could play on Heavy/Expert with ease. After some prodding and cajoling from my peers, I took a turn on the dance mats. If I remember correctly, the dance mats were poor in quality and slipped around with regularity. Regardless of the state of the input device, I naturally failed the song. In fact, I didn’t even get halfway through before failing. Failing in front of that many people, despite the fact that they were good-natured and supportive, was still embarrassing. After my turn, I refused to have another go.
Months later, I began hanging out at a large arcade, the Trocadero, in Central London. I checked out the dance game machines, DDR and Pump It Up. I immediately noticed groups of friends, apparently regulars, just hanging around the machines and taking turns playing.
The DDR machine at the Trocadero happened to be in a dark corner, near a bunch of racing games. It was a perfect place to learn. When no one was looking, I gave it a shot. I did poorly. Still, I was determined to improve. However I did not have unlimited financial resources, nor did I own a games console at home that I could practice DDR on.
During game sessions, after I had run out of the money I’d allotted myself for the day, I would often stick around to watch more experienced players. Occasionally I noticed individuals who did not have a turn on the platform, playing along with the gamers whose turn it was. I thought this was a little strange, but cool at the same time because when people did this, it seemed to foster camaraderie amongst strangers. Just as importantly, playing along with gamers of similar level was a great way to not only improve one’s skill, but also to save money. Also, other players would not necessarily choose the same songs as you, so you’d get wider exposure to the music. If you failed the song, there would be few consequences since it wasn’t your money on the line. I let go of my self-consciousness (N. B. — does not transfer to actual dancing!) and started “playing” DDR even though it wasn’t my turn. My skill at DDR improved much more quickly had I been playing only when I put money into the machines.
I even made some friends during the time I spent hanging out at the Trocadero, though I was on the periphery of the dance game culture there. One of the coolest memories I have is watching two people playing DDR at this large and busy arcade in Central London, along with 5 or 6 other people “dancing” along with them, not caring that they look like fools to some people, and just having fun.
