Video games are typically shunned by the higher-ups in government. Whether it's condemning the latest "Grand Theft Auto" or complaining about a delusional gamer losing his life (both literally and figuratively) in a major MMORPG, people certainly aren't flattering the industry for the most part.
A recent announcement by West Virginia legislators looks to shake loose the negative connotations that people have with video games. And it's going to take place in grade schools. Look no further than your dedicated investigators at Nerd Alert for the juicy details on the "Dance Dance" revolution. Game on.
Ryan:
Recent years have seen gaming's favorite Florida lawyer, Jack Thompson, buying stock in Take-Two Interactive simply so he can bitch at the now financially-struggling developer, and more concern than perhaps ever before over the redeeming qualities of games. But things are beginning to change, at least in West Virginia. Yes, the United States' own "Mountain State" is at the forefront of what could be a gaming revolution — in schools, no less.
In an effort to combat childhood obesity, West Virginia is joining forces with Konami (the fine folks who brought us "Metal Gear Solid" and "Castlevania") to fill all 765 public schools with "Dance Dance Revolution" (DDR) machines. The machines will be used both during gym classes and after school programs in hopes that children would rather play the physically engaging games at school than rush home to play "Halo." Is it thinking optimistically? Certainly. Will it actually have an impact? Hopefully.
With the estimated cost at around $740 for each game-television-console-mat combo, it adds up to well over $560,000 for the entire program. For once the gaming industry is putting forth effort to combat the very problem so many consumers blame them for — kudos to Konami.
Sundeep:
Alright, so I think I'm an OK dancer and I thoroughly enjoy dancing when I'm doing it. I can keep rhythm and I don't have two left feet. I can't stand trance, dance, poor rap, or any of the other thousands of types of dance music unless I am actually dancing to it. I love dancing.
With that said, I must say I despise — DESPISE — "Dance Dance Revolution." Maybe despise is an understatement.
So, I'm somewhat perturbed to hear that West Virginia public school kids are going to be forced to play "DDR." Poor kids. There's nothing worse than replacing what would have probably been a fun-filled day of dodge ball, basketball, soccer, or football with dancing to "We Will Rock You" or "Livin' La Vida Loca" or some other embarrassing song that is not truly dance-worthy.
To its credit, "DDR" will make you develop a sweat if you're playing on levels high enough or for relatively long periods of time.
But seriously, is it really necessary to play "DDR" instead of go outside? I mean, I personally love video games. Playing video games at school would have been fun. But I really did enjoy my physical education classes and "DDR" is not going to teach me to be a team player, develop my cardiovascular system or make me think on my feet without looking at a screen to give me prompts.
Ryan:
While "DDR" might be the extent of programs like this, I'd personally love to see it take off in other directions. Honestly, I hate "DDR." I have next to no coordination and even less desire to shake my moneymaker on a light-up pad. But, hey, that's just me. I would love to see video game developers working directly on bringing arcade machines back into the spotlight — even if that spotlight is now only in schools. It might seem a bit far-reaching to imagine kids someday playing "Donkey Kong Country" in virtual reality suits, but there are certainly some ideas that could work perfectly.
Just a couple of weeks ago I was enjoying the sweetness that is Konami's (sensing a trend?) "MoCap Boxing." Players have to throw the punches using heavy plastic gloves, duck and sidestep to avoid being hit and actually put power behind a hit if they want it to have any effect. Needless to say, it's pretty sweet. Why not utilize the technology used in this game to make a fully interactive "Mike Tyson's Punch-Out?" Anyone who denies the immense fun that would be fighting Great Tiger or Soda Popinski in gym class probably hasn't played the game — and doesn't deserve to. It definitely beats the hell out of cross-country skiing and tumbling.
I was never a huge fan of gym class, but there's no doubt in my mind that if I'd been able to play video games instead of trying to climb a rope, I would've been much more eager to toss on my "Hartford High"-emblazoned shorts.
Sundeep:
So where should video games be implemented? At home. At an arcade. Not in gym class. Staring at screens that force you to move (move is an understatement) is not going to get kids to be active. Normal gym class will.
Of course, there's always hand-eye coordination to learn from any video game. But, I'm pretty sure I don't need to get that out of gym class.
I've been critical of video games in schools but I would strongly disagree that we have nothing to learn from video games.
Rather, there's quite a bit to learn. Spatial and quantitative reasoning, analytical thinking and of course, hand-eye coordination are all areas where the video game is a powerful tool.
For instance, games like "Civilization IV" are an excellent example of strategy games that teach players how to outwit opponents using a limited set of resources and units. It's chess brought to the present generation.
LucasArts' "Star Wars Galaxies" forces players to think outside the box in many situations or communicate with other players to come up with solid answers. "Galaxies" even has a somewhat realistic economic system, which can teach players about simple concepts like supply and demand.
"World of Warcraft" teaches kids how to talk like an Orc, rape and pillage towns, and mock their peers. Oh wait …
Ryan ([email protected]) and Sundeep ([email protected]) are hopelessly addicted to video games. Sundeep has been visiting teagames.com. Wow will that site waste time. Ryan blazed through "Mega Man X" the other night and is just starting on "From Russia With Love."
