Dance Dance Revolution -commonly referred to as DDR -began as an interactive arcade game and has evolved into a way for people to form friendships and communities.
DDR is something in common
said Kristen Petrarca, co-founder and treasurer of the Ohio University DDR Society. I've met a lot of people pretty many she said, naming friends in Athens as well as in the DDR club at University of Akron.
DDR clubs have become common in colleges and arcades across the nation and the world. Last Saturday, at a DDR tournament held at Ping Center, players participated by stomping their feet on a labeled dancing pad in time to music, following directions on the screen.
The tournament's handful of participants was not enough to qualify as a charted competition -but that did not keep the existing club members and curious newcomers from having a good time.
Sharlene and Miyaunna Cleveland decided to check out the tournament after seeing flyers around town. They danced and laughed through their first-ever DDR game. It's sweet. It's a fun game
said Sharlene, ready to play more.
Co-founder and club president Stephanie Williams noted that anyone with any range of experience is welcome. It brings people together
she said. Especially if people never played before
it's a learning experience.
The OU DDR Society was formed a year ago to create a club focused entirely on the game and to provide a fun outlet for DDR players, said Williams. Other student organizations offered the game, but not specifically. Many would go to these clubs to play DDR, Williams noted, but the clubs, at times, had no definite playing schedules.
None of the founders, including Saker Alexander, an OU junior, had belonged to previous DDR clubs. They began the OU DDR Society with personally owned equipment. Now the club has new pads and games provided by the university at a cost of $300.
The Playstation 2 games they received are DDR Max, DDR Max 2 and the most recent version from 2004, DDR Extreme. The games were rotated throughout the tournament, providing a variety of techno and pop music for both beginner and pro players.
The club will not be receiving any additional funds, but Williams said it now has all it needs. She hopes the new equipment will help to bring in more people this fall than the overall club turnout from last year -numbers were random and low, she said. The next tournament will be held during Precollege as a recreational option for fun-seeking freshmen.
I know a lot people play (by themselves)
said Williams, noting that while DDR has extra benefits such as staying fit, its best aspect is having fun with friends.
Everyone has a unique dancing style
she said, pointing at Petrarca, who was twisting and tapping her feet to the game.
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