We got off the bus and Eric led me into the arcade, there were a lot of
people there.
"This is the place where I and my friends play, Silvercord. Take a look. I think this is one of the best places in terms of the cost and overall difficulty setting." Eric said. "By the way, did you ever enter an arcade in Hong Kong?"
"Only once or twice in this summer. Mind you, I turned 16 after I went to Canada." I said.
Note: Except a small number of arcades that are exempted, people under 16 are not allowed to enter an arcade in Hong Kong – although most arcades ignore such law.
"Hey Eric. Good to see you again. And you are bringing a new friend here."
"He lives in Canada and comes here are a visit."
"I thought you are bringing him to Ocean Park (a theme park)."
"No way. He actually grew up here. So what's the point?"
"Anyway, I'm practicing a new routine for a song in Dance Mania X." He went back to his game after this line.
"What do you think about this game?" Eric said.
"Swing your hands between the sensors. Kind of like a raver's game. Maybe ecstasy would work. Haha. And for DDR? Well, I think it is for general audience."
"Agree. And let me show you my moves on the stage. Step Step Revolution!"
"What is that?"
"Something that Konami decided to make a change. This is basically the maniac mode with a new name because people complained that players are not really dancing in maniac mode."
It was Eric's turn. Eric was indeed an elite of DDR. His maniac steps showed that he had spent months and a lot of money practicing it.
"Actually, Eric, I brought my camera here today, and…" Before I can finish Eric said:
"No, please don't take pictures of mine playing DDR. No exceptions. I'd rather take a picture of yourself playing DDR."
"I guess I need some fresh air." I said, and went outside.
After several minutes, Eric came out from the arcade.
"I thought you are out for a smoke." Eric said.
"I don't smoke." I said. "Actually, I feel somewhat ashamed of myself."
"Why? Because of you still playing basic level?"
"You guessed it. I can't feel the atmosphere here."
"Well." Eric said. "There was a time when everyone was playing basic level. Don't feel too bad of yourself. Anyway, how is the scene in North America?"
"1.5 Mix, that is. However, there are some rumors about a new arcade mix and a PS version. But I don't really care since I don't have a PS and DDR is not really popular there, probably. People are reluctant to accept such thing."
"Even with hardcore gamers?"
"I don't know then – for that I am not one of them. I think DDR has the potential though. What matters is time and luck. For me, I think the gaming industry need an alternative to those fighting games."
"For Asians, this trend has reached its peak and I sense its downfall very soon. Well. Let's get back inside." Eric said.
Some people were gone because it was getting late.
"Before we go away." Eric said. "Are you going to take some pictures of ourselves?"
"Sure." I said and picked up my camera. Eric grabbed my camera.
"Sorry Kenny. I mean pictures of you. And now, get up there, the DDR 4th Mix stage. Everyone, let's do it."
Eric's friends immediately surrounded me and I had no choice but make an embarrassment of myself. I put my credit and when I was selecting the song everyone was getting close to me and because of the chaos I accidentally picked maniac mode. "Well, you won't make it. I guess someone has to play this one for him." someone said.
After that 'someone' had finished the song, I got to actually dance. After Eric take several photo of mine that was called a day.
"This is the place where I and my friends play, Silvercord. Take a look. I think this is one of the best places in terms of the cost and overall difficulty setting." Eric said. "By the way, did you ever enter an arcade in Hong Kong?"
"Only once or twice in this summer. Mind you, I turned 16 after I went to Canada." I said.
Note: Except a small number of arcades that are exempted, people under 16 are not allowed to enter an arcade in Hong Kong – although most arcades ignore such law.
"Hey Eric. Good to see you again. And you are bringing a new friend here."
"He lives in Canada and comes here are a visit."
"I thought you are bringing him to Ocean Park (a theme park)."
"No way. He actually grew up here. So what's the point?"
"Anyway, I'm practicing a new routine for a song in Dance Mania X." He went back to his game after this line.
"What do you think about this game?" Eric said.
"Swing your hands between the sensors. Kind of like a raver's game. Maybe ecstasy would work. Haha. And for DDR? Well, I think it is for general audience."
"Agree. And let me show you my moves on the stage. Step Step Revolution!"
"What is that?"
"Something that Konami decided to make a change. This is basically the maniac mode with a new name because people complained that players are not really dancing in maniac mode."
It was Eric's turn. Eric was indeed an elite of DDR. His maniac steps showed that he had spent months and a lot of money practicing it.
"Actually, Eric, I brought my camera here today, and…" Before I can finish Eric said:
"No, please don't take pictures of mine playing DDR. No exceptions. I'd rather take a picture of yourself playing DDR."
"I guess I need some fresh air." I said, and went outside.
After several minutes, Eric came out from the arcade.
"I thought you are out for a smoke." Eric said.
"I don't smoke." I said. "Actually, I feel somewhat ashamed of myself."
"Why? Because of you still playing basic level?"
"You guessed it. I can't feel the atmosphere here."
"Well." Eric said. "There was a time when everyone was playing basic level. Don't feel too bad of yourself. Anyway, how is the scene in North America?"
"1.5 Mix, that is. However, there are some rumors about a new arcade mix and a PS version. But I don't really care since I don't have a PS and DDR is not really popular there, probably. People are reluctant to accept such thing."
"Even with hardcore gamers?"
"I don't know then – for that I am not one of them. I think DDR has the potential though. What matters is time and luck. For me, I think the gaming industry need an alternative to those fighting games."
"For Asians, this trend has reached its peak and I sense its downfall very soon. Well. Let's get back inside." Eric said.
Some people were gone because it was getting late.
"Before we go away." Eric said. "Are you going to take some pictures of ourselves?"
"Sure." I said and picked up my camera. Eric grabbed my camera.
"Sorry Kenny. I mean pictures of you. And now, get up there, the DDR 4th Mix stage. Everyone, let's do it."
Eric's friends immediately surrounded me and I had no choice but make an embarrassment of myself. I put my credit and when I was selecting the song everyone was getting close to me and because of the chaos I accidentally picked maniac mode. "Well, you won't make it. I guess someone has to play this one for him." someone said.
After that 'someone' had finished the song, I got to actually dance. After Eric take several photo of mine that was called a day.
