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.