RedOctane to publish In the Groove for PS2!

[J Dogg]

RedOctane announced today it has signed an agreement with developer Roxor Games, Inc. to release In the Groove, the high-energy dance game designed from the ground up by hardcore dance gamers. Based on the hit arcade game, In the Groove will be the first-ever published video game for RedOctane and will be available exclusively on the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system.

Click on the comments to read the rest of the press release.
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[J Dogg]

“The popularity of our award winning dance pads has demonstrated the enthusiasm gamers have for active video games,” stated John Tam, game producer at RedOctane. “In the Groove is an incredible leap forward in dance games with the arrow modifiers providing fun, variety, customization, and challenge to players of all skill levels – including the hardest of the hardcore. In the Groove was created by Roxor who, as die-hard fans really drove the development of this project. Many features were designed to make the game easier to learn yet challenging at the highest level of skill.”

In the Groove (ITG) is an interactive dance video game that combines music, video, and a dance pad controller. Players spin, swivel, slide, and dance their way to earning points instead of just moving a game controller. In the Groove features exclusive, never before seen features like arrow modifiers that make the game arrows spin, change speeds, boomerang, and move in 3D along with over 40 other amazing effects that create additional challenges and endless customization for dance game fans.

While maintaining the same addictive game play of popular dance titles, In the Groove offers innovations in step choreography – hands, mines, and quads will have players making new kinds of moves never seen anywhere else before. Hands means a player must hit the designated arrows with their hands and with mines, there are red “landmines” that at a glance may appear to be arrows, but must be avoided at all costs. With quads, players may have to use all two hands and feet to hit each of the arrows simultaneously.

In the Groove features more than 70 songs including four not currently found in the arcade version of In the Groove. Original titles include Utopia, Xuxa, Zodiac, and Oasis. The music selection reflects fan requests and brings in a new, more Western techno sound.

Upon beginning, game players are asked to choose from five different play modes: Dance, Battle, Marathon, Fitness, and Tutorial.

Dance Mode: This is the main game play mode for In the Groove. The default settings for this mode are identical to those found in the arcade version of the game.

Battle Mode: Challenge a friend or the computer to an all-out competition in Battle Mode. In this mode, as you score better throughout a song, you will unleash modifiers on your competitors screen. The better you do, the harder it will be for your competitor to keep up and vice versa!

Marathon Mode: Play four or five songs in a row with no breaks in-between. Watch out! Some Marathons also feature arrow modifiers that will affect your game play.

Fitness Mode: This mode helps you stay in shape by developing an In the Groove exercise routine and tracking the amount of calories you burn. You can choose between 1 Player, 2 Player, or Double Fitness Modes.

Tutorial Mode: This is a great way for new players to familiarize themselves with the game.

Key Features
• Over 70 brand new songs from proven talent and new independent artists, covering a wide variety of genres.
• Over 550 new step patterns from step artists in the dance community.
• 50+ modifier options, including 20+ new arrow modifiers for creative challenges.
• 3 styles of play: One Player, Two Player, or Double-Pad.
• Up to 5 difficulty levels per song to accommodate all players from beginners to experts.
• Innovations in step choreography- mines, hands, and quads will have you making new kinds of moves.
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[JiKiJiKiJiKi]

First post! This is awesome! Will we see E-Rotics songs FINALLY????
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Meh...

['Ivan]

*dies* Finally . . . I get to play ITG. Praise RedOctane! (I have one of their pads) Praise RoxorGames! WHOOOOOOOOOO!
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If you end up joining, put "ThreeLeafIvy" in the referrer box, will ya?

[goodtimesddr]

Yes, finally another reason to spend more money and have more fun!
I shall buy Pump It Up, and In The Groove!!
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I took the path least taken. Now where the hell am I?

[Jsm01R-LIME]

Wow.... stepmania goes official on home consoles, it was only a matter of time I guess. Shame the game is so bland and anal


p.s Roxor obviously cant count
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[Icee of AUG]

I think I just creamed my pants.

[[+Duracell-]]

Me too
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DD:Recall || LJ

[ICNH]

Now I don't need to travel hours to an ITG machine! Anyone know the release date yet?
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Who posts here anymore?

DDRecall. | Groovestats. Challenges? | YouTube Vids.

[Arctic Wolves]

And unlike Pump, my metal pads will work for ItG. I'll be getting this for sure. Four new songs? I wonder if there's any new E-ROTIC or Missing Heart in there... :P

[Ebisumaru]

Oh crap, no edit mode announced. There is still hope. The steps in this game are so terribly awful, I need edit mode.

[boss matsumoto]

I would rather have a beatmania rip off...
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I suck, but I am in Team Phunk!

[Turboneko]

I must say when I first read about Red Octane making games I was very apprehensive about how much success they might garner from doing something like that.

Well with this announcement I think they are starting off on the right foot.

I dont know how possibly you can do Pandemonium expert on a soft pad =x
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-LoC-

[Kyran]

[Tatsuo Kaede]

Eh..i dont like ITG. I'd rather have Flashbeatz make a home thing and a controller for it. that would own.
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<3

[hi i'm Lain]

Oh shit.

Now I don't have to go to New Jersey to play ITG. In your face 8OTB!
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NO DOUBT GET LOUD I BE KICKING YOUR NEIGHBOR

[Turboneko]

[Windows]

so is there going to be two releases or not. one in america and on in japan? or is this a pure us game.
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Team: SX

[Turboneko]

More than likely this will be American only
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-LoC-

[yyr]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

Up until a few weeks ago I dismissed In The Groove as a cheap-looking knockoff.

Then I actually played it.

In The Groove is the best thing to happen to dancing games since DDR Extreme (the arcade version). Period. The music is amazing, the steps ARE fun to play and well-designed, the game is challenging enough even for experts, and the new additions--mines, hands, and the new mods--seemed strange at first but are really well-done and fun to play with. Cheap-looking? Maybe. But the game itself kicks buttocks. Oh, and: they're actually coming out with new versions, unlike Konami who is killing the series by leaving the arcade stagnant and releasing mediocre home versions.

Now, with Pump and ITG both coming out on PS2 in North America this year, Konami is doomed... unless they actually release a game worth playing this time. Or, unless they start a legal battle. I hope that doesn't happen...

I think the "arcades becoming obsolete" thing is sad too, but likely this will INCREASE the demand for ITG arcade, which is what I was hoping for from the start...

~yyr
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