Thumping music fills the room with a pulsating sound and rhythmic beat. Colored lights flash and flicker and create an ambient glow on the dance floor. A small crowd gathers to watch Andrew Bosleyotherwise known as DancinAndyas he prepares to take on the next challenger. Its time to dance.
Imagining a local night club on a Saturday night? Actually its just another afternoon in West Virginia Universitys Mountainlair games area as students play Konamis video game Dance Dance Revolution(DDR).
Combining upbeat music, flashing lights and fast-paced dancing action, DDR allows players to choose from hundreds of music selections. Standing on a large dance pad they step on lighted arrows in conjunction with dance moves being displayed on an overhead video screenscoring points depending on the difficulty of each move.
Recently added to the lineup of pinball machines, video games and table games, DDR has been a huge hit with WVU students. Bosley, a junior electrical engineering major from Mineral County, is just one of many that thoroughly enjoy the gameplaying as much as four times a day.
I saw the announcements that it was coming to the �€~Lair and waited patiently,Bosley said.I think the first night it was here there were just two of us the played.
According to game room supervisor Danny Shrewsberry, the machine now gets nearly constant use.
It gets used pretty much all day, but during the Up All Night events (Thursday through Friday during the seemstre), there can be some big crowds at the machine,he said.Some people are a little skittish to get on the machineworried theyre going to make a fool of themselves.
Much like a breakfast cereal tag line, DDR provides the perfect combination of video game fun that kids love and health benefits that mothers would approve of.
DDR goes beyond ordinary video games that utilize a simple joystick or prop gun for the action. It requires players to participate with their entire body, resulting in an elevated heart-rate, increased circulation and use of many different muscle groups. The physical element of the game has led to several medical studies and reports of positive health benefits associated with the game by WVU researchers.
A recent study completed by WVU and the West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency demonstrated that regular players of the game experienced numerous health benefits and even weight loss in some test patients.
Bosley doesnt think about the health aspects when he plays DDR , but sees them as an additional benefit.
Im glad that something I enjoy so much gives me health benefits. Its a bonus because I dont exercise too much,he said.
He continues that much like joggers have a constant need to run, he and his friends feel almost addicted to the game and the resulting exercise euphoria. Many players would agreeits the physical and responsive nature of the game that lures them back.
I just like that its interactive. Before DDR came along the most interactive game was a shooting game,Bosley noted.I like that this gets your full body involved.
Assistant Director for Mountainlair Building Operations Jeff Dunbar explains,I think its a game that people can do togetherits a very social activity. There is a group of players that have developed around DDR it provides them a social connection.
Bosley agrees.Its a great way to meet people with a common interest. There are six or seven of us that know each other and just have fun playing DDR . It can be kind of flattering to get a crowd drawn in to watch.
DDR is available for use during regular operational hours of the Mountainlair games area. Or when DancinAndy is through with it.
KONAMIis a registered trademark of KONAMI CORPORATION .2007 Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.2007 Konami Digital Entertainment Co, Ltd.Dance Dance Revolutionis a trademark of Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.