Midlands Expo Is Coming!! News Source: Inhouse (www.ddruk.com) Posted by BtHvnVrs on Wednesday 20th August 2008 13:19:38 BST DDRUK have got a real treat in store for you at this year’s Midlands MCM Expo! Running on Saturday 13th September at the Telford International Centre, the Midlands Expo is a one day event that showcases the best that the entertainment industry has to offer. We will be there in full force, bringing with us the exceptional variety of games you have come to love. We’ve got all the old favourites you can’t seem to get enough of, from Guitar Hero and Singstar to the ever-popular Taiko no Tatsujin. On top of that, a few new faces will be gracing our line-up this year, including the fantastically addictive Rock Band! For those who like a little exercise with their gaming, Para Para Paradise will of course be present. That’s not all, though! We’ll be providing a whole host of other games for those of you who prefer their gaming to be less rhythm-action based, but you’ll have to come down on the day if you want to see exactly what we’re offering. Our staff will be dotted around the stand, ready and waiting to answer any questions you may have about DDRUK or the games themselves. There will also be a fantastic sneak-preview of the upcoming London MCM Expo, so you’d better be there if you don’t want to miss out! And, of course, the DDX might just be making an appearance! The Midlands Expo website can be found here Ticket sales are here Travel information can be found here We all look forward to seeing you on the day!

Share this news post in: del.icio.us | digg | reddit | Slashdot

Click here for the full story | Last Reply | Comments: 6

Last reply by MAX_LeGendre on Monday 25th August 2008 23:49:08 BST

DDR:UK Tournament Finals - A cornucopia of information for the masses! News Source: DDR:UK Posted by Wildfireskunk on Friday 18th July 2008 12:43:28 BST Good afternoon everyone. I've got my fingers in gear a little this year, and as such I have a lot of stuff for those of you interested in our tournament scene! First off, we have the (hopefully) finalised rulesheet available. The rulesheet is available for viewing here, whilst there is a thread for it's discussion here. If I've missed anything or am confusing anyone, please say so in that thread. Secondly, I've sorted out the final betting market for the tournament. With everyone confirmed I can happily say you've all got fixed odds. I've merged the current betting thread with the new finals thread and you can all play about with points and see who can get richest by the time the tournament comes around by clicking here! Please play the game everyone. I want to do this again next year, but with a bit of help and prizes announced for all beforehand. I thought it was a good little game at least >_> Thirdly! Although I've already posted it as community news, there is a topic for the viewing and discussion of the bracket for the finals available here. All discussion and feedback in there please! Finally, I'm in the process of collating all of the results of the regionals and putting them in all in one thread for easy access by everyone. I'm just trying to format them all in the same way though as to not bring about confusion when reading them. Although not finished yet, I'll update this post with a link when that thread is available, and create a new thread for it in the tournament section. For now, that is all! Seems a fair update so far, and I hope everyone has enjoyed the regionals so far and is looking forward to the finals! There will be more information coming as I process it, but if anyone has questions or feedback in the meantime post away, and I'll do my best to answer.

Share this news post in: del.icio.us | digg | reddit | Slashdot

Click here for the full story | Last Reply | Comments: 8

Last reply by -MaxX-Storm- on Friday 01st August 2008 18:26:53 BST

CONFIRMED - New worldwide arcade release News Source: Konami Posted by Myst on Wednesday 09th July 2008 10:13:29 BST Post last updated 11th July 5:20pm Good morning DDRUK! -- We are happy and proud to confirm today Konami has announced the worldwide release of their brand new arcade dance machine "Dance Dance Revolution X"! Yes, that's right, the European name for Konami's famous dancing game series has been renamed to Dance Dance Revolution due to popular demand. The new DDR game will have a brand new cabinet, and will also be possible to upgrade from previous versions of Dancing Stage games (I will see if I can find out from what version this can be upgraded from). Plus these surprises I am sure will be announced soon! News of the test locations should also come out, and when they do, I'll make sure they are fully available here. A note from Konami: Quote: I am pleased to announce to you and the loyal DDRUK fans the beginning of the planned release of DDR X. Please find some very early information attached. It is very early and as soon as I am able to release more information I will do. The official press release: Quote: Konami Digital Entertainment is proud to present the latest addition to the BEMANI music simulation collection, Dance Dance Revolution X (DDR X). This latest version shows the evolution of the game, incorporating 10 years of innovation from the first version that was launched in 1998. The new version, housed in a fresh cabinet design contains many of the original features that make DDR the best amusement dance machine on the market and also some new surprises for new and existing players. DDR X is going to be a truly global version with the brand name changed from Dancing Stage to Dance Dance Revolution on this model and for all future models. The game will be tested in Europe and USA in the coming months prior to the planned launch. More news about the product including news on the additional features, new cabinet and upgrade kits for existing Konami products, will be available soon, but for now, “The New Revolution Has Begun!” So there we have it folks! -- The next installment of the DDR series! Once DDRUK get more information, we shall let you know. Link to the Japanese DDRX site: http://www.konami.jp/bemani/ddr/jp/am/ddrx/ Update: Thanks to piepiepie for the translation of a update from am-net.jp Quote: New Machine Design NEWDDR Revealed Large widescreen monitor , satellite light units and "grade up" (i.e. higher quality) speaker system will be used. LINK function included! Giving POWERUPDDR LINK function as standard inclusion. The to be released PS2 version of DDR X will give players to create original sequences. Using USB memory, they would be allowed to use them in the arcade. Also, on the e-AMUSEMENT side, excellent player original sequences will be published around the whole nation and INTERNET RANKING will occur. Many new functions and progression EVOLUTIONDDR is here!! New sequence "shock arrow" is included. This is a new gimmick where you cannot step on the foot panel. Step's variations will be intensified. BEGINNER MODE named STARTERMODE. ADVANCED MODE named COURSEMODE. Also, in COURSEMODE there is DANCE DRILL COURSE with 10 ranks. Old great DDR and newest DDR merges! Strongest previous songs will be added for SPECIALDDR. Well known licenses, catchy originals totalling 60 songs or above will be included. In future DDRs, there will be 1.5 times more new songs in volume. Player section expanded for COMMUNICATIONDDR Players that have never played DDR can join in using the WELCOME SYSTEM that is included. Players using the e-AMUSEMENT system can use the FRIEND REGISTRATION FUNCTION that is included. The Cabinet

Share this news post in: del.icio.us | digg | reddit | Slashdot

Click here for the full story | Last Reply | Comments: 173

Last reply by al2k4 on Tuesday 26th August 2008 13:50:16 BST

The Final Qualifying Tournament is on it's way.... News Source: In-House Posted by Wildfireskunk on Tuesday 08th July 2008 18:54:24 BST Hey everyone! Just a reminder to you all that the last leg of the qualifying tournaments for Octobers finals is happening this very saturday! It'll be at the London Trocadero, and we shall be commencing at 1pm. This is the last chance anyone who's yet to try will get to qualify for the chance to become UK DDR Champion in october, so if you want to try out then make sure to come along. I'll be there myself from about 12 so I hope to see a good turnout! Also, to Mr Maxx-Storm. Will you be around on the saturday? Although you're through we need to seed you

Share this news post in: del.icio.us | digg | reddit | Slashdot

Click here for the full story | Last Reply | Comments: 8

Last reply by AbXtreme on Saturday 12th July 2008 20:11:15 BST

London MCM Expo Arrives! News Source: London Expo Site Posted by Wildfireskunk on Friday 23rd May 2008 00:03:53 BST Quote: DDR:UK are returning to the London MCM Expo! Based at the ExCeL Center, London Docklands, the MCM Expo is the UK's premier show for Movies, Comics and Media, catering for all ages and a wealth of events going on! DDR:UK are part of the Anime Village, taking up a small area to dedicate ourselves to the fans, and to entice people into the games that we show. That's right everyone, it's that time of year again! DDR:UK will be showing off some of the best and newest rhythm action games of today, as well as hosting their own dance machine, the DDX! And don't forget about the UK Dancing Stage Championship Qualifier on the saturday! £5 entry to try and earn a place in the finals this October! For all information regarding entrance to the Expo check out the official site, and otherwise... we hope to see you all there on the weekend!

Share this news post in: del.icio.us | digg | reddit | Slashdot

Click here for the full story | Last Reply | Comments: 13

Last reply by flunk09 on Friday 30th May 2008 12:02:48 BST

DDR Team League Proposal News Source: Inhouse (www.ddruk.com) Posted by Wildfireskunk on Wednesday 07th May 2008 09:55:41 BST Good morning everyone! How are we all today? Today I come with a proposal for a team league for the DDR teams that exist around the UK, that will hopefully create the oppurtunity for some new ones to pop up too. It's nothing overly complex, but it should be a fun yearly competition that spans likely over the course of 9 months or so. Below are the details I've written up. Thanks to Shadowman for help in thinking this up, and I wish for people to read the idea and comment with questions, critisisms, and more importantly tell me if you'd do it, as if I get no interest I won't. Quote: DDR UK Team Tournament League The first and most obvious thing about this is that it requires you to be in a team. There are already a few teams established here in the UK at the moment, but I feel that nothing is being done for teams in terms of events for them to go to. We have the big singles tournament going on at the moment but that's it. So I've decided to do my job by putting forward a plan for either early next year or later this year, to setup a Team League for those who want to bring there teams into competition with the others around the country. Now, what I'm hoping to see here is the current teams get all excited about the idea, and for other people to perhaps form teams for themselves to enter. Team play with friends not only helps you get better quicker, it's also a lot more fun to play with other people, and of course the socialising doesn't have to stop just at DDR So, how would this work? Well, here's the basics of what I wish to do. League Table Anyone here a football fan? Me neither. But even so, I know that they have a pretty good thing going down with how they sort out all their games. 20 teams, each teams plays every other team twice (once at their home ground, once at the other teams home ground), with 3 1 or 0 points being awarded for wins draws and losses respectively. Points are updated after every game and by the end of it all you have a table of all the teams, top to bottom, in order of how they did against everyone. That seems to work for most competetive team sports if you ask me, so why can't we apply it to DDR? The only issue here (and possible downfall of the plan) is that teams would have to travel several times throughout the year in order to compete at other players 'home grounds', but the dates will be announced well in advance so you can book tickets early and get them for cheap. Plus, it's not like you'd be travelling around merely to compete with other players. We're all nice guys here and I'm sure many teams after their match would have a nice afternoon in a pub/at the arcade/around the city of the home team with them, making a good day out of it right? So that's how it would work, which means it would be time to define some things! Teams Now in order for this to work all the teams would first of all have to be standardized. Which means something like... A team will consist of 4 players, with 1 or 2 'backup' players incase of injury, or someone in the 1st team being unable to attend for other reasons, if the team thinks they might be needed. Now yes I know that will come as a blow to some of the teams already around since you may already have more than 4 active players, but this is not a disaster! A '1st team' would have to be chosen before each match from the full team roster, with the rest of the team being backups incase of injury/cheerleaders/mascots (they obviously won't be forced to travel though if they don't want). Thus in this case every player has a chance to be used, but unlike a team made up only of 4 people, not everyone will necissarily have to attend every game. Another idea could be for big teams to split themselves down into a couple of league teams for the season. For instance, The Portsmouth Contingent could have... Team 1 - Scott, Sam, Mike, John Team 2 - Matt, Chris, Josh, Dave And that would be fine. For those of you who would like to create a team, keep it between 4 and 6 members only. All football teams have extra players incase of unforseen circumstances, so an allowance of an extra 2 seems fair to me for teams just starting out. All full team lists (a list of all the players in the team) would be published at the start of the 'season', and only the players on those first lists would be allowed to be used by the team. e.g - Tom, Bob, Naomi, Kevin, and Kimberly are the l33t DDR cru. A few games into the season a new good player (Toby) moves into town and joins their group and team. That's fine, but unfortunately due to Toby not being around at the start he would not be allowed to participate on behalf of the team for any of their tournaments. He will just have to wait till next year... So yeah. Team = At least 4 players, and only those on the published team lists can play the season. Tournament Style Quite an important bit. Being that the old usual knockout style is used for eeeeeverything, it won't be used here. Meaning that we have some other options to consider! So far, from the depths of my thoughts my favourite idea is this one... - The tournament will work like so. 24 songs shall be played over the course of the tournament, and they shall all be selected at random. Once the random song has been selected the teams both have 20 seconds to confer, and nominate a player to play the random song. They both tell the judge (as not to influence the other teams choice), and a vs match happens between the chosen pair. The winner of the song (Based on high score, dependant on machine type) earns a point for their team and all is well. To make this fair, each player in the team will only be able to be picked 6 times, meaning that everyone in the team has to plays equally. So tactical picks will be essential! At the end of the 24 songs the team with the most points is the winner, huzzah! And if there's a draw? Another random song is chosen and in the same manner as before, someone in the team is nominated to play it... sudden death! I like to think of that one kinda like The Crystal Maze, only you don't get locked in if you fail the song (although....). And we don't have to be fixed on 24 songs, there is space for change. I just thought that would take a nice amount of time. Usable machines Now for this I'm thinking any kind of machine should be usable. That way we aren't discriminating against teams who's only home ground machine is a Dancing Stage Fusion or similar. As long as the machine is in an arcade, is a DDR/DS/ITG machine, and is working fine, then I think a team should be able to use it as their home machine. Similar to the team list, the local ground and machine will be required in the team signup forms, and will be the one that will be used. And that is how I see it working... So who's up for this? Spread the word! Plan new teams for UK domination! Let's see some response and discussion! The end

Share this news post in: del.icio.us | digg | reddit | Slashdot

Click here for the full story | Last Reply | Comments: 103

Last reply by Wildfireskunk on Sunday 24th August 2008 01:25:30 BST

DDR:UK Events: Stand content suggestions plz News Source: Inhouse (www.ddruk.com) Posted by Wildfireskunk on Friday 18th April 2008 13:38:11 BST Good morning all! Now most of you should know that DDR:UK is holding a donation drive at the moment to raise money for the events we do. It may seem cheeky to some of you, but if you saw our budget sheet you'd quickly change your mind Anyway. We all hold these events at place like the London MCM Expo because we love the games and the community, and want to try and expand it by showing off the games to new people and pulling them in. And also of course because it's nice to bring everyone together once in a while and have a good time playing the games we all like, and meeting people we might only otherwise chat to over the internet. So, since the Donation Drive is mainly aimed at funding things for the community like the Expo and conventions we attend, we thought it would be a nice idea to ask you, the community, what kind of new things we should buy with your money! We usually keep upto date with Pop'n Music, Guitar Hero, Singstar, DDR, and we're looking to have Rock Band for this time too. Plus we have our little multiplayer console game section, the DDX, and the PPP machine. But there's always new games coming out, and I'm sure some of you have some good ideas that we've not thought of before. So, what do you guys want to see us getting for the stand to make it more fun for everyone who goes? Games or otherwise? Sensible ideas only please! Anyone asking us to buy a IIDX machine will be personally teabagged by Myst at the may expo (maybe). But any sensible ones might be picked up on and seen at future events! And of course, don't forget to donate so we can actually afford these shiney new things! (PROTIP - Don't plant money like you do in in animal crossing. Money trees don't grow from it, and it isn't easy to find after )

Share this news post in: del.icio.us | digg | reddit | Slashdot

Click here for the full story | Last Reply | Comments: 64

Last reply by The_Usagi on Monday 05th May 2008 12:30:55 BST

DDRUK needs you! News Source: Donation Drive 2008 Posted by Myst on Monday 14th April 2008 13:25:44 BST To the members of DDRUK, As you are aware, DDRUK runs and assists at many events around the United Kingdom, running items such as the dance machine, console games, tournaments, and on top of that, run the website. We at DDRUK have always tried to give you our best, to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable time, to the best of our abilities. However there comes a time, when even DDRUK would like to bring you more, and again go beyond what you expect from us. However we would like to request your help. DDRUK very rarely does this, as most of the time the money for running the website, getting to and from the events, getting the equipment hired, all comes from my own pocket and the pockets of the staff members who have kindly assisted me over the past 5 and a half years. Each event DDRUK runs costs money, anywhere between £50 for the fuel to run the van, all the way up to the large events, where the last one cost DDRUK just over £4000 to run, this does not even take into consideration that I have to pay for the upkeep of the servers that the website is run on. But I want to keep going, DDRUK wants to keep going, we want to provide you with an even better experience than before. I am opening up this donation drive, so that you as members of the website can make a difference, I would like to ask for your assistance with the running of the events, and to enable us to bring you an even better experience. I am also opening this up in stages, as reaching the final goal may not happen, but at least you can see what items DDRUK could get from your donations. Any donation would go towards the website, or the events that we run, be it simple things like getting the latest Bemani game to display on the stand, all the way up to setting the scene on the stage for the Regional Tournaments. I thank you for your time in reading this. Colin Barker Aka Myst ---- Donation Drive Main Page

Share this news post in: del.icio.us | digg | reddit | Slashdot

Click here for the full story | Last Reply | Comments: 15

Last reply by nikoboivin on Friday 25th April 2008 12:45:03 BST

Rock Band - Wont magically get cheaper because you want it to News Source: Eurogamer Posted by Kazz on Friday 11th April 2008 12:19:01 BST Harmonix has told the Internet that no matter how much they complain the price will not drop. Seems to me that Harmonix should have learnt to stop talking a long time ago and with the atrocious attitude they have shown to their consumers, they will have put a nice big black mark on their name. The sales figures will probably speak for themselves... Originally posted by: Eurogamer In a post on the Rock Band forums product development manager Greg LoPiccolo wrote, "We’re not making a killing on Rock Band in Europe. We are incredibly sensitive to pricing issues. We are painfully aware that the higher the price we charge, the less copies we’ll sell. "We are strongly motivated to keep the price as low as possible. That said, we don’t propose to lose money on it. The fact of the matter is, the costs of releasing in Europe are far higher than in the US, in some ways uniquely so for Rock Band compared to other game titles, because of the size of the peripherals." LoPiccolo declined to reveal cost structure details - "That would probably get me fired, and rightly so." Instead he highlighted the extra cost involved with shipping a larger product box and doing so outside the US: "Seriously, I was shocked to learn how much it costs us to ship an RB peripherals box to Europe. It’s way more than you’d expect." According to LoPiccolo it doesn't make sense to compare the manufacturer-recommended US and UK prices for Rock Band. He wheeled out the old VAT line, stating, "That’s not the whole discrepancy, but it’s a big chunk of it." LoPiccolo also observed that European retailers are free to cut the price of games, unlike their US counterparts. "So a reasonable price comparison is what you actually pay, not just the SRP, which means two different things in the two territories. "We’re not gouging you, primarily because doing so doesn’t serve our interests," LoPiccolo continued. "We can only build our franchise if you buy our games. You may conclude that Rock Band isn’t worth the price charged, and that is your prerogative. But it’s not magically going to get cheaper because you wish it to be so. "We’ve sold a ton of these in the US at a far higher price point than people are used to paying for a videogame, because it really is a new and different experience... Once you get a crack at it, you’ll know whether or not it’s worth the money. We think you might decide that it is."

Share this news post in: del.icio.us | digg | reddit | Slashdot

Click here for the full story | Last Reply | Comments: 34

Last reply by killer_roach on Tuesday 15th April 2008 23:56:23 BST

Click here for older news posts