Stir in The Fun - Konami is Throwing Konamix into the DDR Mix!
by The Badger

I've always been one of those people that likes to buy all the little gadgets and add-ons for my consoles. I had the Intellivoice, add-on sythesizers, Nintendo's classic R.O.B. the Robot, and more steering and joysticks than I can recall. I've always been game for something more than the regular controller, and this was no different when Dance Dance Revolution hit the market. A Japanese favorite, the Dance Dance Revolution craze has found a place in North American gaming, and there's no better evidence than the upcoming addition to the series, Dance Dance Revolution Konamix. Featuring a vertiable ton of new music, three new gameplay modes, an enhanced workout option, customizeable moves, and much more - we just can't wait to get our hands (or should we say feet?) on this title!

GameZone got the opportunity to set up some time to discuss this new Konami title with the game's producer, Jason Enos.

1.      What kinds of dance moves do gamers get to learn as they progress through the game? What does the game offer to people who might not be the best dancers in the world, but still enjoy the truly interactive gaming experience?

One of the greatest qualities about playing DDR is that anyone can develop their own style of playing.  Players do not really learn new dance moves as they progress through the game, but they may discover better ways to handle certain dance step combinations.

Additionally, DDR players fall into two major categories; those who freestyle and those who play for accuracy.  Freestyle players do not really worry about hitting all of the dance steps because the performance is the top priority.  On the other hand, accuracy players usually do not have any kind of performance but they heavily focus on maximizing combos and perfects.

In the end, you do not have to be a great dancer to enjoy this game. However, the game will definitely improve coordination and rhythm skills in people.

2.      What new music options does KONAMIX offer? Do you foresee integration of mainstream Western artists in the future of DDR as the series becomes more established in the North America?

DDR Konamix allows players to customize and edit dance steps for any song.  These edits allow players to develop their own routines and step patterns to songs.  Players can also trade edits with a memory card. 

DDR Konamix also introduces a more difficult single-player mode that uses six different arrow steps instead of the normal four-arrow arrangement.  This mode uses the same four arrow directions (up, down, left, right) but also adds two diagonal arrows (upper-left and upper-right).  This mode is mostly for hard-core DDR players who enjoy more challenge.

If DDR continues to grow in popularity in the us, i think having specific licensed music for North America is possible.  However we have  a long way to go, so my focus is really on DDR Konamix at the moment and trying to make this release successful.

3.      Will this new edition also have a pre-packed edition which includes the dance pad for gamers who are new to the series?

At the moment, there is no plan to package the dance pad with DDR Konamix.  However, players should be able to locate dance pads at game stores or online.

4.      How often do you run regional tournaments for DDR fanatics? How would someone go about entering one and what kinds of experiences have you had with these devotees in the past?

Most of the tournaments are actually organized by fans or arcade locations.  The best way to stay on top of upcoming tournaments and how to enter one is to go online and check out tournament schedules. DDRfreak.com and DDRspot.com are two good sites for this type of information. 

The tournament players represent the best of the best.  Even if you do not have the courage to enter the tournament, i would definitely recommend attending one.  They are really exciting and enjoyable to watch.

5.      For players new to the series, what kinds of characters and other visual or plot aspects of the game will they encounter? For veterans, what new characters and aspects will be enhanced in KONAMIX?

Players who are new to the series are really going to enjoy DDR Konamix because there are so many options and modes to explore on top of the 52 songs (almost double the amount of songs from the original DDR released last year for psx). 

For returning players, they will still find DDR Konamix brings a lot of new gameplay, including some material not found on any of the previous japanese releases.  Many of the comments and criticisms that were raised by fans on the original DDR were adjusted for DDR Konamix.  Naturally DDR Konamix is not the end-all-be-all of DDR games, but it is a major leap compared to the original DDR.  I view DDR Konamix as a great stepping stone for the future.  Hopefully the fans and new players will help me realize that future.

6.      What are the three new play modes dancers will be able to experience in KONAMIX?

Here is a topline summary of some of the new modes:

Edit mode:  customize your own dance steps, develop player-specific routines and trade step patterns with friends.

Nonstop order:  customize your own nonstop dance mix using any song featured in DDR Konamix.

Solo mode:  one player only mode using the advanced six-arrow arrangement.

7.      As an avid gamer and exercise enthusiast - I can't help but be intrigued by the workout option for DDR. How did the calorie counter feature come into existence? What kind of research/consultation was done to help make it as accurate as possible?

The workout mode was an added feature that attached a fitness goal with playing the game.  However, you don't have to play the workout mode to get a workout from playing DDR.  Playing the normal game mode will give you plenty of exercise, but the workout mode enables players to input  their weight and set a specific goal and track the results.  In fact, there are more robust options in the workout mode for DDR Konamix, including the ability to track workout results over a period of weeks/months.

8.      What kinds of play-testing go into a game like this? Do you consult professional dancers or other experts to help make the ultimate dance experience?

Truthfully, the game is tested with a regular controller and not a dance pad.  Obviously it would be too physically exhausting to play 50-100 different songs on a dance pad to discover bugs or problems.  However, sometimes it is necessary to use the dance pad to make sure certain dance steps are correct, etc.

9.      What direction would you like to see the series take in the future? What kinds of things would you like to do with it that you haven't had
the chance to do yet?

Assuming DDR will continue after DDR Konamix, we still have a lot of catching up to do with the japan DDR market.  It is really important that we continue to close the gap between DDR in japan and DDR in North America.  At the same time, I want DDR in north america to be unique. In other words, I would like to see us reach a point where North American players have something they can call their "own."

10.     The fact that DDR has been featured in so many prominent press arenas, from Good Morning America to the Los Angeles Time, shows that there's a great interest in breaking this genre into the North American mainstream. What would you say have been your biggest challenges in bringing this craze to an unfamiliar audience? 

Because DDR is so new, unique and innovative, this is actually the key advantage and disadvantage about the product.  Since it is new and innovative, it easily attracts attention.  However, at the same time, it is often difficult to properly convey this game to non-gaming audiences because it is new and innovative.

11.     Have you ever been surprised by a reaction or response from gamers that you get feedback from with the DDR series? What kinds of different experiences do you get working on a game that's quite a bit different that the usual sit down and play games?

DDR fans are really passionate about this game and I really give them tremendous credit for making this game as big as it is in North America.  It is difficult to meet their expectations and certainly frustrating at times when I hear some players are still not satisfied, but since I am also a hard-core DDR player, I think players will be pleased overall.  Of course I accept that I can not please everyone, but I will do the best I can.

DDR is one of those games that you have to really know this game inside and out in order to do the game justice.  As you pointed out, it is very different from the traditional gaming experience, so it is important to always think about this fundamental difference when designing the game.

12.     Do you have anything else you would like to share with our readers as they await the April release?

I hope you really enjoy DDR Konamix.  It is definitely the best DDR game to release in North America thus far.  If you haven't picked up the previous two games (DDR and DDR disney mix), I strongly recommend getting your hands (and feet) on those as a crash-course for what's to come in DDR Konamix.

Thanks for all your continued support on making DDR successful.  Let's keep on dancin' and together we can make DDR a huge success in north America.

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The Badger would like to send a big thank you out to Jason Enos and the Konami team for taking the time out to share the details on DDR Konamix - I've got my moves ready!

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