popular in japan?

msdstc · Trick Member Joined: 22 Jul 2003

r these rumors true about ddr nopt bneing popular in japan!! thta cant be if it dies in japan it will soon die here plz tell me this is a load of crap ive read and heard from several other places that its still popular but im not sure if its true or not can u plz help?

YmkFX · Trick Member Joined: 24 Jul 2003 Location: California

VinceB · Trick Member Joined: 18 Aug 2003

If ddr was to die in jp, that wouldn't mean it would die here.

LET ME SHOW YOU THEM · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2003 3:13 pm Post subject: Re: popular in japan?

DrSatan · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2003 1:10 am Post subject: Yes, sadly...

DDR is indeed falling in popularity in Japan, but that's not to say that the party is over. Konomo just needs to do something that will draw players back and make it exciting again. What is NOT needed is just another mix with some new songs or the ultimate collection of DDR music. To recaptivate players in Japan, I think that Konomi might have to *GASP* change the hardware. If only they could find a way to involve your upper body into the game...

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"We are all born mad. Many remain so."

seishinbyou · Trick Member Joined: 11 Jun 2002 Location: Saitama, Japan

Well, let me put it this way:

During the 2nd mix days in Japan (1999), DDR was at its peak; people lined up well outside the arcades to pay up to 300 yen (!) for 3 songs, and those machines were everywhere.

Now look at today. Comparatively, there are very few machines left at all. There are still a good number in very obscure locations, but many arcades got rid of their DDR machines a while ago.

EDIT> One reason is that "freestyle" really started dying out around 3rd mix. That was when all of the "DDR Teams" also started dying out. Of course, on the flipside, you had many newcomers playing only for tech around 3rd mix, and many stayed right to this day. They rapidly outnumbered the freestyle scene, but in the end, a good number of them stopped playing. Most of the players still playing today believe DDREX is the last mix of DDR as we know it, but Konami may very well come out with something else in the near future. Besides, strictly from a popularity standpoint, Pop 'n Music and IIDX are blowing DDR out of the water.

To be honest, some of my favorite games are now completely gone, such as Mambo a Gogo and PPP, though there are still 2 Keyboard Mania machines in Yamato city (Game Labo Apple).

Nowadays, everyone is tech except for the random few that still want to try it, but even then, the public doesn't want to see freestyle anymore, it seems; just really high scores. Bad news for the freestyle scene, but eh, what can you do? DDR is well past its prime in Japan.

Though, on a good note, that also means I can have the whole machine to myself for several hours on end at some places (like Seven Islands in Yokohama)

jamk · Trick Member Joined: 13 May 2003 Location: Anaheim

just because it's not as popular in Japan, that doesn't mean that it can have a long life here in the states. Although, it would seem like the popularity here in the states is also dying. Another USA version would be nice though. As long as they asked players what they would like to see in it.

YmkFX · Trick Member Joined: 24 Jul 2003 Location: California

A quick fix would be to release online arcade cabinets that could link on the fly, just like the upcoming Ultramix, it ain't using your arms, but I think that something like that could be what DDR needs to become really addictive again at the least. That is, until Konami releases DDR: Master Stage which has 8 arrows, individual screens, and system linking for 4 players on 2 machines.

C'mon Konami, keep the DDR alive, you've made a following in America, take care of it.
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Taramoor · Trick Member Joined: 21 Aug 2003

delete

Taramoor · Trick Member Joined: 21 Aug 2003

kch · Trick Member Joined: 21 Jul 2002 Location: houston/austin

Starr78 · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2003 2:26 pm Post subject:

so what if ddr dies? S'not like the arcade wouldn't replace it with something more addicting. eg: IIDX, Pop'n', Para ect.
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My fake plants died because I did not pretend to water them.

Daniel · Trick Member Joined: 29 Aug 2002 Location: Sonoma, CA

somegui · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2003 4:44 pm Post subject:

Im a fan of DDR but most of you make it seem u need it like u need air to breathe. Of course it's gonna die out every thing does, nothing lasts forever, im actually getting into the IIDX thing myself.

O NOES!!!1 its Nitsuki!! · Trick Member Joined: 24 Jan 2002 Location: Miami, FL

PLAY IIDX, THATS POPULAR IN JAPAN!!

Remy · Trick Member Joined: 24 Jan 2002 Location: Astoria, NY

O NOES!!!1 its Nitsuki!! · Trick Member Joined: 24 Jan 2002 Location: Miami, FL

i agree a lot remy, I still have yet to play PnM, but i'm really eager to play it 1 day or another, i jus want a ASC for PnM, i'm happy w/ IIDX tho, to me its the most challenging bemani ever, i know many agree w/ me.

PMG · Maniac Member Joined: 24 Jan 2002 Location: Riverside, CA

Jevais · Trick Member Joined: 15 Aug 2003

Well about IIDX..I dont find it interesting at all honestly...I find that games with my hands arent very interesting. That's just personal preference. I was raised in my childhood in doing things with my legs...not finding anything with my hands very interesting. I've never really found IIDX very exciting at all to be perfectly honest with you. Don't think I ever will either (I dont mean to sound close minded.)

I find DDR to be the most interesting game I've tried thus far.

A)Working a passion of mine
B)Good workout
C)When I'm no working out this game gives me that slight edge on my cardiovascular workout. As well as honing my corrdination skills.
D)Besides I was never really coordinated with my hands anyway.
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About DDR not being popular in Japan...maybe not anymore...or like it used to be 3 years ago! Just seems with all of the new things coming out....IIDX Mixes....Pop N' Music.

Most Japanese find interest in IIDX and Pop N' Music more than anything else there. Which to me is quite suprising. But like i said...it's personal preference. I've seen both of these games in action and well....I honestly dont see how they can take an interest in these things more than DDR but that's just my opinion.

zero hour · Basic Member Joined: 09 Aug 2003

If there's something I've learned throughout my life it's that what is old will usually become new again. Look at pop music, first there was nkotb then it made a resurgance in the late '90's with bsb, britney etc. And fashion is no exception. I think this will hold true to the video game genre especially this 'bemani' series since Konami has made it it's own lil' niche on the industry. If DDR does die out maybe in the later years it will come back stronger then before maybe in a different shape or form. Like it was said in an earlier post DDR is peaking here so I wouldn't worry about North American distribution. After all, isn't Japan 10 years ahead of us anyway?