Gizmodo: Ddr

Rambus Comes Out of Dark, Sues Nvidia for Patent Infringement

Kit Eaton — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 04:23:00 EDT

It's been a while since we've heard anything about memory maker Rambus, but the company has come back into the light to sue Nvidia for patent infringement. Rambus thinks that Nvidia's use of SDR, DDR, DDR2, DDR3, GDDR, and GDDR3 SDRAM in their products violates 17 (count 'em... 17!) patents that Rambus owns. Those chips sit inside all sorts of Nvidia gear, and apparently Rambus has been trying for a settlement for years. Now it's using the legal system to claim cash for the damages. Bad news for Nvidia, but Rambus is still apparently trying "to continue discussions with Nvidia to reach a negotiated settlement.” I bet. [BusinessWire]

Looks like the only rhythm game Red Octane ...

Matt Buchanan — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:19:19 EDT

Looks like the only rhythm game Red Octane cares about anymore is Guitar Hero, as they've categorically denied making new dance pads for the 360—or any other system: "There are no immediate plans to create new dance pads outside of the current products available." [Kotaku]

Official Wii Fit Video Shows Off Hula Hooping, Soccer Headers

Adrian Covert — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:42:31 EDT

Nintendo put a promo video online for Wii Fit and its Balance Board accessory that shows its new title in action. After watching the video, we found out that Wii Fit can calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI). Here are some other secrets we found out about Wii Fit:

-The Balance Board features a pressure sensor which detects your weight shifts and predicts the movement for the rest of your body.

-There are a number of standard fitness activities included such as balancing exercises, pushups, yoga, BMI calculation and other calisthenics.

-Also included are a number of mini games such as hula hoop, soccer and a marble madness-type game which use the Balance Board in interesting ways.

-What's bound to become a favorite is the rhythm game that looks like a bastard mix between DDR and a Richard Simmons video (red tank top and short shorts not required).

Laser Dance Matrix: No Black Required

Mark Wilson — Sun, 06 May 2007 10:54:59 EDT

The Laser Dance Matrix is the brainchild of Applied Sciences. It's a DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) ~~pad~~ matrix for getting down up, up, right, back style. But instead of relying on pressure sensitivity as most pads do, the Laser Dance Matrix senses foot position based upon breaking the proper laser beams (we're assuming in the correct places, though you might be able to cheat). Dancing occurs right on the floor.

The prototype is USB compatible, though it requires a separate power source for all those badass, entirely invisible laser beams. We wish that Xbox 360 wasn't so hard on third party manufacturers, otherwise we'd be happy to trade the Matrix for their one supported break-your-neck-plastic style pad.

Hit the link to vote on whether or not Applied Sciences should sell the unit. Click "yes" and that we want the preassembled units. Because I'm lazier than I am cheap. – Mark Wilson

Product Page [via Kotaku]

Dealzmodo Irony: Free USB Dancing Gamepad, from Kraft

Travis Hudson — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 15:15:22 EDT

Kraft, the company that I exclusively associate with the oh-so-fattening (and delicious) mac & cheese, has this odd deal on their site. They are giving away a free DDR-style dancing pad for the PC and free copies of the DDR knock-off, StepMania. They do want you to pay shipping, which is $6, but that isn't too bad for a fun game that could work off pounds and pounds of mac & cheese. –Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via Red Ferret]

Finger-based DDR Pad For the Lazy Gamer

Louis Ramirez — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 21:37:24 EDT

Tired of breaking a sweat every time you play Dance Dance Revolution?
Check out this miniature DDR pad that lets you rock out with your fingers instead of your feet. Just plug it into your PC's USB port for some Simon Says-style DDR. Sure, you'll be titled world's most slothful gamer, but who said games and exercise were a good mix. – Louis Ramirez

Give Dance Dance Revolution the Finger, USB Style [Everything USB]

Take it to the Next Level by Building a DDR Deck

Adam Frucci — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 13:41:53 EDT

Are you a serious DDR player? I'm not talking chubby West Virginian serious, I'm talking does your life basically revolve around Dance Dance Revolution? Also, are you handy? If you answered "yes" to both these questions, I've got a project for you.

Inventgeek has posted an absolutely massive guide to creating what looks to be an arcade-quality DDR deck, allowing you and a friend to Dance Dance to your hearts content without the condescending stares of Manchu Wok customers leaving the food court. The materials will set you back $400, and look to spend at lease 16 hours building it, but just think of how, uh, cool you'll feel once you get it all set up. –Adam Frucci

Ultimate Dance Deck 2.0 [Inventgeek]

West Virginia to Kids: Play Some DDR, Fatties

Adam Frucci — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 13:45:06 EST

Sometimes it pays to be a bit soft around the edges. Due to childhood obesity problems in West Virginia, every public school in the state is getting a Dance Dance Revolution machine. Every school.

What happened to gym class? Aren't people supposed to exercise there? I guess WV has just given up on gym and let the kids have what they want. In my day, we stayed skinny by walking five miles through a blizzard to school, and it was uphill both ways! Kids today don't know the meaning of hard work, I'll tells ya. –Adam Frucci

Dancing video game helps kids avoid weight gain [via Boing Boing]

Handheld DDR Pads

Travis Hudson — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 09:29:55 EST

These are handheld pads designed use with the Playstation versions of the game Dance Dance Revolution (DDR). Before you blow your lid yelling at the fat kids of today who won't even play exercise-inducing games, hear me out. I used to be one of those DDR-playing kids back in the day, and when I didn t want to spend hours at the arcade and had too much money to count, I enjoyed playing DDR with my fingers. Not only did playing DDR on my computer with the arrow keys improve my hand-eye coordination, it also helped me memorize the songs and beats so that I could further impress the ladies at the arcade. And at $23, these are a must have for any DDR aficionado like the former me (before I took up smoking and learned to love oven-pizza).

Palmtop Controllers for Dance Dance Revolution [OhGizmo!]

DDR For The TI-83, TI-84

gizmodo.com — Tue, 18 Oct 2005 15:26:21 EDT

File this under "Awesomeness". Some dude actually took the time to "port" DDR to BASIC for the TI-83/TI-84 calculators. Unlike the original DDR where you must use your feet to dance like a complete jackass, this one lets you use your fingers. By using the directional pad on the calculator, you have to "type" with the beat. While I'm sure this will bring joy to all high school students bored in math class, I'm skeptical as to how fast this runs on a TI-83 or TI-84.

DDR for pocket-calculators [BoingBoing]

Hands On: I am the Guitar Hero!

gizmodo.com — Fri, 14 Oct 2005 19:09:16 EDT

Ever want to pretend you can play a bunch of popular songs on guitar even though you can barely strum along to an A chord? Well now's your chance to redeem yourself with Guitar Hero for the PS2. Guitar Hero uses an awesome miniature guitar controller to help you rock out to songs like "I Wanna Be Sedated" among other classics. You have a strumming controller by the bridge and 5 seperate buttons along the neck that act as frets. The game makes you hold a combination of the fret buttons down while strumming in time to the song. It's extremely fun and easy to pick up if you play guitar or bass, but takes a few tries to get the hang of it if you're like John (It's okay, we all fail at something in life sooner or later muahahaha). The guitar controller even has a whammy bar for making solos extra unique in certain situations. Overall, Guitar Hero is a pretty nice adaption of DDR to the guitar. Don't break a finger with all that shredding though, mkay?

Dance Dance Fire Fire

Travis Hudson — Fri, 26 Aug 2005 14:41:23 EDT

This is an improved version of DDR with a little a better reward/punishment system called Dance Dance Immolation. In normal DDR depending on how good and bad you do affects your score. In this version of DDR, if you are doing well, a machine blasts flames into the air wowing the crowd. Don t let those flames distract you, because if you do badly the same machine shoots you with blasts of fire Unfortunately for the crowd, there are safety precautions: a full aluminized proximity suit with gloves, hood, the whole nine yards. They plan on showcasing this "fun game" at Burning Man 2005.

I've seen some pretty unhandsome geeks doing DDR with their shirts off and I would have paid—I mean like real money—to have given them a little liquid fire encouragement. No burning, mind you, just something to make them rethink their choices.

Info Page [DDI]