Acclaim Games commands you to DANCE! Online

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Apr 13th 2007 at 4:30PM }

From the unflinchingly direct marketing department that brought you the likes of Shoot Monsters in the Face!, Leap Over Bottomless Pits! and Level Grind For Eighteen Hours!, comes a new title from Acclaim Games -- the aptly named DANCE! Online. Combining rhythmic extermination of arrows with unnecessary public gyration, DANCE! Online cashes in on what George White of Warner Music Group calls "a growing phenomenon." The game is offered to you for the not entirely unreasonable price of zero dollars, though additional "song packs" (uh oh) and snazzy outfits for your avatar will require some monetary expense on your part.

Also notable is the fact that the game features master recordings from the aforementioned Warner Music Group, giving DANCE! Online the distinction of being the first free massively multiplayer dancing game to provide licensed tracks. The undoubtedly crowded race to that particular finish line was aided by game director, Earthworm Jim wrangler and industry superstar designer (it says here), David Perry. "DANCE! Online has started the music based game revolution which has captured the minds of hundreds of millions of players in Asia," he says. Alright then.

The beta is open now, if you're so inclined.

[Via press release]

Tags: Acclaim, Acclaim Games, AcclaimGames, Dance Online, Dance!, DanceOnline, David Perry, DavidPerry

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Zertoss @ Apr 13th 2007 4:41PM

Time for a fact check!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_TenNapel

Plaid Ninja @ Apr 13th 2007 4:42PM

Acclaim is still around? I thought they went under years ago?

Chocolate Starfish @ Apr 13th 2007 4:43PM

Whoa whoa whoa!

Where can I go to play "Shoot Monsters in the Face!"?

Zertoss @ Apr 13th 2007 4:45PM

"Acclaim is still around? I thought they went under years ago?"

They did, but now they're back as a company that localizes MMOs. This isn't the same Acclaim that brought us NBA Jam and Turok.

Plaid Ninja @ Apr 13th 2007 4:46PM

Oh well, there went the idea of sending my resume in for part time QA work.

Ken @ Apr 13th 2007 4:48PM

@Zertoss

It's a shame too. Those games were great!

Wait... Wasn't NBA JAM Midway? I remember playing the N64 edition while back..

Anyway, those games rocked!

Zertoss @ Apr 13th 2007 4:50PM

"Wait... Wasn't NBA JAM Midway?"

It might've been. I'm just going off memory, and I think I remember seeing the Acclaim logo on the two SNES releases. Further Googling may be needed to confirm.

Ken @ Apr 13th 2007 4:51PM

@Zertoss

Yeah... but who's got the time, you know?

Zertoss @ Apr 13th 2007 4:51PM

OK Ken, we're both right. Midway developed it and Acclaim published it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Jam

sheppy @ Apr 13th 2007 4:51PM

Umm, Zertoss... you realize when the project, Earthworm Jim was started, it was a very largely collaborative effort between everyone on the project. As much as I hate to deny TenNapel, it was a largely communal effort. Dave Perry (as well as anyone else involved) made their names through Earthworm Jim. And yes, he wasn't the true creator, but he was definately the lead designer.

When you think Dave Perry, you think Earthworm Jim. Nobody thinks Messiah (which was where all those really cool concepts from Geist came from). Nobody thinks Sacrifice (where the whole "in the thick of it" RTS concept of Pikmin came from). Nobody thinks Aladdin for Sega Genesis (which still remains one of the best animated Disney games EVER).

Mr Khan @ Apr 13th 2007 4:53PM

Acclaim just can't seem to get away from the concept of sex appeal

As direct and bad as BMX XXX? no

But the concept is still there

Acclaim hit its height with its N64 works (best 3rd party support for that platform), but now, eww.

Zertoss @ Apr 13th 2007 4:56PM

@ sheppy

I don't deny Mr. Perry's talent, I just knew he wasn't the creator of Earthworm Jim. No doubt if he wasn't there the first 2 EWJ games wouldn't be the timeless classics they are.

Ken @ Apr 13th 2007 4:56PM

Ahh sweet, thanks Zertoss :)

Zertoss... sounds like a mix between Zerg and Protoss... amirite!?

sheppy @ Apr 13th 2007 5:02PM

@Zertoss

Agreed. Heh, besides. David Perry gets big ups for the greatest AdverGame ever created, Cool Spot.

@Mr. Kahn

This is Acclaim in name only. David Perry and someone else, name escapes me at the moment, resurrected the company under a new philosophy. That of localizing free MMOs from Korea as well as creating all new games.

And, incidently, DUDE! That's a female avatar to a dancing game! Find a video of DDR with characters. The only difference is Dance Online has a western art style to it compared to the leather bitch/schoolgirl lineup of 360s DDR character lineup.

Todd @ Apr 13th 2007 5:11PM

I would love to see Earthworm Jim again.

Zertoss @ Apr 13th 2007 5:11PM

"Agreed. Heh, besides. David Perry gets big ups for the greatest AdverGame ever created, Cool Spot."

I'll drink to that! Seven ups for Dave Perry!

"Zertoss... sounds like a mix between Zerg and Protoss... amirite!?"

Why does everyone think that? I just don't see the relation.

Jonathan Tran @ Apr 13th 2007 5:13PM

Can someone explain to me in what way the game is "online"?

Ludwig Kietzmann @ Apr 13th 2007 5:15PM

Alright, I replaced the controversial word, though I still think the actual game (which is what I referred to) is more attributed to Perry (the character's creation is not, however). Regardless, I see we're all very excited about DANCE! Online.

sheppy @ Apr 13th 2007 5:32PM

"Regardless, I see we're all very excited about DANCE! Online."

Kinda. You see, when I heard David Perry would be heading up a new MMO called Dance Online, I was excited as all get out. Instantly, memories of Bust A Groove flooded my skull and my heart was overwhelmed with the warm and fuzzies. Then the old brainbox started firing away on what a game, then known by name only, could be like. I imagined joining a "krew," wandering a funky and stylistic world akin to Jet Set Radio Future, and combat being handled in a beautiful "You got served" style showdowns between krews. My thoughts when deeper, regions of the world modeled after music styles and as krews obtained reputations in areas, it would effect the price of items in that given zone based upon your krews dominance of that region. I imagined a leveling up system where flashier and flashier movies became available to your character. And a big stupid grin crossed my face.

And then it was announced as a DDR clone with a store for accessories and songs. I could put the amount of disappointment I felt in words, if you want. It's like you're a young child again. Brand new Voltron toy was released. Within an hour of play, the yellow wing on the black lion fell off, unable to be repaired but still, you played on. Then the toy in question was recalled, along with your joy, because of a poisonous red paint. And while you had the toy taken away for your safety, you caught the flu... then measles... then aids... and you died.