[Publib] dance dance revolution

[Shannon Stiller]

There are several "tournament level" metal pads out there that hold up well. 
 
Everyone has mentioned using a PS2 or similar game system for DDR; has anyone tried a PC version?  It would be cheaper to start with PC, see if it is popular with the kids, then pitch the board for a game system when I have evidence that it is a success.  I would only have to puchase the game and the pads, and I could project it from our laptop.  But I haven't heard anyone say that they are using a PC.  Thoughts?
 
Shannon M. Stiller
Adult Services Librarian
Ripon Public Library
920.748.6160
stiller at riponlibrary.org 
 

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Toby Greenwalt < theanalogdivide at gmail.com>
Date: Dec 5, 2007 10:00 AM 
Subject: Re: [Publib] dance dance revolution
To: Lyn Smith < ellynsmith at gmail.com>


Lyn, 

Your patrons might be the best resource, as my experience has been that everyone has their own preference as to which one is the best. If you're just getting started and just want to throw yourself into the endeavor, your best bet is probably to go to Best Buy (or some other shop that sells games) and see which version comes with a mat. There are at least 10 versions of DDR that are compatible with PS2, and the main difference between all of them is simply the selection of songs. 

As far as the pads are concerned, the ones that come packaged with the games will do, but if you anticipate heavy usage, they will wear out after a while if used heavily. You will need two to play the game, as competition is a big part of the appeal for the players. The mats do tend to shift if people get overzealous with their steps. 

At my old library (Westmont, IL - www.westmontlibrary.org), we purchased the Cobalt Flux metal pads (which Google has eerily, er, conveniently posted a link to in my Gmail window - www.cobaltflux.com) which helped our gaming programs seem like more of an event. The mats are much more durable, and they're certainly heavy enough not to shift during play. We rented out our gaming equipment to other libraries to help defray the cost, and to finance eventual upgrades. 

If you belong to a library consortium, you might want to see if any other libraries would consider pooling their resources, and making a set of gaming equipment available to libraries in your system. That might also help even out the cost-to-benefit ratio. 

If you have any other gaming-related questions, I'd be happy to help you out. The programs do garner a great response from patrons of all ages. 

Toby Greenwalt
Adult Services Librarian 
Skokie (IL) Public Library 
www.skokielibrary.info
www.theanalogdivide.com 


On Dec 4, 2007 12:09 PM, Lyn Smith <  <mailto:ellynsmith at gmail.com> ellynsmith at gmail.com> wrote:


We are going to present Dance Dance Revolution for teens here at the 
library. We will use PS2 gaming system.  Of the different DDR programs
available, do the teens have a preference? What do you use for mats?
Reviewers on Amazon write of the mats slipping.  How durable are they, 
any way?  Do we need several for multiple players and for
replacements? What about the metal mat, which is more expensive?
Lastly, where do you purchase your DDR supplies?
The teens and tweens are really looking forward to this.  Next up will 
be a Wii for the seniors and Guitar Hero that they can share.
Thanks for your help.
Lyn Smith
Pittsfield Public Library, Maine
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