Wii


Resources:
http://oedb.org/blogs/ilibrarian/2007/a-quick-guide-to-gaming-in-libraries/

Tournament Rules

Play will consist of at least two rounds per participant (more if time permits). The participant with the most points at the end of the tournament is the winner. Prizes will be provided to the top four players by Red Octane.

A round consists of 

    * 1 4-player Mario Kart: Double Dash! Versus game
          o Players are placed into a random group of players for Mario Kart
          o Players agree on a difficulty level (50cc, 100cc, or 150cc), if there is a dispute they can’t resolve it is set to 100cc
          o Players select their characters and karts.
          o If two players want the same character, they can play rock-paper-scissors for it.
          o A Track is selected at random (1st player holds down the L and R buttons)
          o Players placing (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th) is recorded in a spread sheet, and will be later factored into the total score, based on percentile.
    * 1 2-player Dance Dance Revolution (Whichever version Red Octane provides game
          o Players are matched with random opponents for DDR
          o A six-step song is selected, and all players will dance to that song for the round.
          o At the end of the round, record each player’s perfects, and greats in the spreadsheet. Perfects are worth two points, and greats are worth one point.

We started playing DDR here in Seekonk in 2005 and we're still going strong! Here are my thoughts on your questions:

"Are the rubber pads adequate?"

For us here, the answer is yes. We went with the higher quality Ignition Dance Pads and not the cheaper ones found in department stores and we've been pleased with how they've held up. We paid around $110. for each. If you have the funding to purchase the metal ones, they are more durable but for our needs these were fine. If you are considering the Ignition Pads, check to make sure they're compatible with your system (we use PS2).

"How can I reduce the risk of slippage?"

I remember the product description stated that the pads were designed to minimize sliding. For our expert players the pads occasionally "inched over" a little bit when they played but they never slipped out from under them (!) For the beginner and intermediate players, the pads didn't inch over at all. That said, we do require a signed permission slip which states that there are risks with any physical activity etc...

"What is the best source for DDR equipment?"

When I bought the Ignition Dance Pads for my home, I bought them through Red Octane (www.redoctane.com) However, for the Library I purchased the exact same pads at Best Buy and they offered the Library a 10% discount on all the DDR accessories (including the game but not the PS2.) That was 2 years ago but I did see those pads at my local Best Buy recently. Also, I was on the Red Octane site last week to buy some Guitar Hero supplies and noticed that the Ignition Dance Pads have been discounted to $79.99 each...

"Is there anything else I need besides a PS2, 2 pads and a game?"

We bought two, 6' extension cables (cables, not extension cords) which allow the dance pads to be further away from the PS2. In some settings, all of the components will be fairly close together. However, in our meeting room the PS2 is in the back of the room (hooked up to the projector) but the screen is in the front of the room. Having extension cables allows the dance pads to be closer to the screen so players can see it more clearly. These cables are not necessary but with the space we work within they are useful to us. I purchased these at Best Buy and I think they retailed at around $8. each.

"If you've had a DDR program, what worked, what didn't?"

  • We've had a great response scheduling DDR on a weekday, right after school.

Programming for teens on a Saturday hasn't worked for us.

  • I like to offer "lessons" (the tutorials that are included with the game)

for a 1/2 hour before the event starts so that teens who don't know how to play can get used to the feel of the mat, how to play etc.

"What age ranges have you had for a DDR program?" Teens, grade 6-12.






To reduce risk of slippage, buy metal pads. For the cost of ONE storyteller, you can get a set that you can drive a Mack Truck over. It's an excellent investment.

Red Octane and Cobalt Flux are excellent sources for quality DDR games & equipment.

Game popularity varies from community to community. In the Groove and Extreme DDR 2 are favorites (both PS2 only platform).

For kid under age 10, try Mario Mix or the Disney version. I'd recommend Nintendo's Donkey Konga for younger kids, GameCube required.

What works for me (noting every community is different!)

Play two at a time, even if you have 4 pads.

Set up rules at beginning so it's clear if you will call names, or they will organize themselves to take turns; how they will line up; decide free play vs tournament (count total score, or # of "perfect" hits?). WIth teens you should only have to set up and break down (and they will even want to help with that).

Do everything you can to elevate the experience beyond the home one: digital projector, sound system, multiple games.

Partner with another organization to bring in extra projectors and TV

Offer other activities like chinese checkers, mad libs, magnetic poetry, or pass around handheld games.

Choose other games with short, 3-5 minute rounds: arcade classics, racing games, karaoke, katarmari, etc.

Choose games appropriate to audience (know your community). Games are rated, like movies.

Consider a waiver of responsibility if kids are bringing in their own stuff - note that I've only heard of 2 cases in hundreds where items have gone missing. One was a controller that got picked up my mistake, and was returned the next week. The other was a library that stashed a staff member's Gamecube in the unlocked program room closet (DUH) and they think an adult stole it - not a teen in a program, since it disappeared on a Saturday morning.

Bounce out disrespectful players--regular library rules apply. People who are unsportsmanlike spoil it for the rest.

Let prizes or raffle items fit the gaming theme. Gift certificates, accessories, cheat guides, games, etc.

Serve food and drinks AFTER - you don't want pizza on the bottom of your DDR pads. the exception is water during the event - just keep it away from the equipment.

I've done DDR for gr 4-6, and gr 6-up. Once the little kids (grade 4) start doing it, it's not as cool for the teens, usually. Guitar Hero II is the hot game for teens at the moment; songs are pretty long tho, I do Guitar Hero II and DDR on 2 separate screens. (Beth Galloway)

We'retrying it for about an 8-week period in the summer to see how it goes. We're offering two-hour sessions on Monday afternoons for grades 9-12 and Wednesday afternoons for grades 5-8. (Laurie Cavanaugh Brockton Public Library)