News
Konami Announces DanceDanceRevolution Classroom Edition
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. –April 19, in the year of our Lord
2012– Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today
announced the company's worldwide sensation
DanceDanceRevolution, will move its way into schools across the
nation this Fall with the debut of DanceDanceRevolution
Classroom Edition, a PC based DanceDanceRevolution game crafted
specially for schools and fitness classes. Sweeping the nation
one classroom at a time, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. has
collaborated with the nation's leading health and fitness
organizations including the American Diabetes Association, The
National Foundation on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition and Let's
Move in Schools to promote fitness in schools through the new
DanceDanceRevolution Classroom Edition.
Like its award-winning predecessor, DanceDanceRevolution,
DanceDanceRevolution Classroom Edition is an interactive video
game that combines real physical activity with energetic music
and visuals. Ideal for entire classroom participation,
DanceDanceRevolution Classroom Edition connects up to 48
wireless mat controllers to one PC. The system allows teachers
to track vital information about their student's health and
progress including steps taken, body mass index (BMI) and
caloric burn rate and it's so much fun that students don't
realize how active they're being while moving to the beat!
DanceDanceRevolution has been recognized by leading researchers,
schools, and doctors as an innovative and fun solution to
promoting a healthy lifestyle and fighting childhood obesity.
Studies have even shown 40 minutes of playing
DanceDanceRevolution is equivalent to a 5k run. ,
DanceDanceRevolution Classroom Edition will also launch with
support from some of the most recognizable names in both the
public and private sector, who all agree DanceDanceRevolution is
changing the way schools and educators look at physical
education.
"DanceDanceRevolution Classroom Edition is a logical and
groundbreaking next step for DanceDanceRevolution," said Clara
Baum, Sr. Director of Strategic Marketing and Partnerships of
Konami. "Over the past few years, we've created powerful
alliances to get our existing DanceDanceRevolution game into
hundreds of physical education classrooms across the nation, and
now with new collaborations with DanceDanceRevolution Classroom
Edition we are poised to get almost every student in the nation
more physically fit and moving to DanceDanceRevolution!"
DanceDanceRevolution Classroom Edition comes on the heels of
some very exciting partnership announcements for the
DanceDanceRevolution franchise, including:
American Diabetes Association (ADA): Announced last fall, Konami
hosted DanceDanceRevolution programs nationwide to support the
ADA's School Walk for Diabetes program. DanceDanceRevolution has
been integrated into the ADA school education and prevention
programs to encourage children and families to increase activity
and experience the fun of exercise.
"Konami is working with the American Diabetes Association school
programs to support the education for the prevention of type 2
diabetes and the associated risk factors of obesity," said Mary
Baumann, Director of Youth Markets for the American Diabetes
Association, Houston, Texas. "Konami's DanceDanceRevolution team
has gone to great lengths to work with the needs of the ADA
school programs/ School Walk for Diabetes to support our mission
and initiatives to STOP DIABETES®. We look forward to the impact
the new classroom edition can offer schools to help keep
children in the healthy fitness zone for BMI's. Visit us at
www.diabetes.org."
National Foundation on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition (NFFSN):
Konami and NFFSN will work with schools in Washington D.C. and
nationwide to promote active lifestyles and stress the
importance of health and fitness.
"The National Foundation on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition
(NFFSN) values the leadership and innovation Konami has brought
to the digital entertainment industry with its revolutionary
gaming concepts designed to encourage youth to be active and
healthier in a ways never imagined. This approach supports the
Foundation in achieving its bold vision for all Americans
leading healthy, active lives," said Tom McMillen, Chairperson,
NFFSN Board of Directors.
Let's Move in School (AAHPERD):
In support of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move Campaign to
solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation, the
purpose of Let's Move in School is to educate youth about the
benefits of a physically active lifestyle and ensure that every
school provides opportunities for quality physical education and
physical activity.
DanceDanceRevolution has teamed with Let's Move in School on a
nationwide campaign aimed at getting kids excited about physical
education. Recently, Konami and Let's Move in School teamed up
to host a DanceDanceRevolution tournament across the state of
Massachusetts. The tournament, which concluded just a few weeks
ago, culminated with a final showdown of the state's best
players at the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education,
Recreation & Dance (AAHPERD) National Convention & Exposition in
Boston on Friday, March 16th, 2012.
Sony Music: Sony Music will be the exclusive music partner for
DanceDanceRevolution Classroom Edition, bringing licensed master
tracks from chart-topping artists.
Developed by Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. and in
partnership with Performance Designed Products,
DanceDanceRevolution Classroom Edition is rated, "RP. Each
DanceDanceRevolution Classroom Edition package includes the PC
Unit with RGB Cable and remote control, durable mat controllers,
receiver unit, Keyboard, Monitor, movable rechargeable storage
cart for mat controllers, smart cards, operation manual and
curriculum.
DanceDanceRevolution Classroom Edition is currently being
utilized in select high schools across the country. For more
information on DanceDanceRevolution Classroom Edition please
contact ddrschool@konami.com.