The year is 1998. What is so special about this year? It is the year the first mix of Dance Dance Revolution premiered and introduced the gaming community to a new genre of gaming, Dance Simulation. Since then, many people from all around the globe have stepped onto the dance floor putting their best foot forward and dancing to the beat. Along with the countless number of causal players, a greater number of tournaments have popped up to put the best against the best. DDR Storm is one of these tournaments and has been around since 2003.

I recently sat down with Tyger (via e-mail) and asked him all the important questions concerning DDR Storm past, present, and future.

Crevolous: Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer a few questions. My first question is the most important: N/A/S/L?

Tyger: Tyger/26/M/FL

Crevolous: How did you earn the nickname "Tyger"?

Tyger: When I was a in middle school, I had 2 main friends that I used to play basketball with all the time. When I had the ball, I would tend to growl when I rushed for the basket as a silly way to intimidate. Unfortunately, it just gave them reason to make fun of me. From then on, they started calling me a tiger. I just accepted it and whenever I'd get a high score on video games, you'd see me as TGR.

Crevolous: What is your game of choice? Dance Dance Revolution, In the Groove, Pump It Up, a combination of the three, or all of the above?

Tyger: To be honest, it really depends on how I'm feeling. Pump It Up would almost always be my 3rd choice, but Pump It Up Pro appeals to me more. In Jacksonville, there is only Dance Dance Revolution. ITG and PIU Pro are an hour south from me. In making the trip down, I would make playing both of those a higher priority. But Dance Dance Revolution will always be at the top of my list <3.

Crevolous: What made you decide to put together your own DDR tournament?

Tyger: When I first started playing DDR, I was pretty good in comparison to others in the local area. The first tournament was announced by Aladdin's Castle at the local mall. In participating, I was very disappointed with the rules and how it was handled. I felt that I could do a better job. At the same time, I envisioned a way to bring DDR players from all around the state. I was very interested in getting to know more players in Florida and finding more competition. I also found that a majority of the community were very nice people. After the success and excitement of the first tournament, you could pretty much say it has become an addiction. :)

Crevolous: When and where was the first DDR Storm tournament?

Tyger: The very first DDR Storm was held in Aladdin's Castle in Orange Park, FL (about 10-15 southwest of Jacksonville, FL). This was in January of 2003. It was a one day tournament on a 5th mix machine that consisted of tech division and a freestyle division.

Crevolous: The upcoming DDR Storm tournament is somewhat of a throwback to the good old days of tournaments. What you made you decide to have a so-called, "Old School" tournament?

Tyger: There are many players in the community who feel that my current tournaments have lost it's "atmosphere". I don't really blame them. When I first started, it was strictly DDR. "I was the one" running the tournaments (no pun intended lol). Since then, I've incorporated other genres of video games. I've had others run divisions for me. A lot has changed. I decided to hold DDR Storm XII to attempt to bring that atmosphere back to the way it used to be. I also wanted to give people a reason to meet together again before Project Storm 3. The DDR players are excited and I am as well.

Crevolous: I appreciate the BeatMania/DDR song reference. Out of all past Storm tournaments, which was your favorite and why?

Tyger: DDR Storm 6 will probably always be my favorite. If you missed Storm 6, you missed the most eventful and most popular Storm tournament that I've ever run. People attended from as far as the Carolinas. A music video was created for "Lose Control". The tech and freestyle tournaments were some of the most exciting competitions. You just HAD to be there! If you weren't, you missed out. I will always try to recreate that weekend, but it was one of a kind.

Crevolous: Which is your least favorite and why?

Tyger: My least favorite would be DDR Storm: In the Clear, held in Clearwater Beach, FL. I had problems with the owner of the arcade. Some machine problems. Electricity problems, a.k.a BLACKOUT! Controversy involving Lil Q and Soul. Lack of space. Low turnout. There were fun times, but it was the worst Storm experience for me.

Crevolous: As head judge of all DDR Storm competitions you've seen quite a bit. Has there ever been a competitor, routine, or moment that left you speechless?

Tyger: Soul of Ignorance, a.k.a Christopher Austin. It only took him one year to be part of the elite DDR tech players. Never have I seen a player get so good so quickly. He started in DDR Storm 2 and won both Storm 3 and 4. Not only was he good six years ago, he continues to threaten winning DDR Extreme and SuperNOVA 2 at Project Storm 2. Soul, this is my compliment to you. Your skills and consistency has amazed me over the years.

As far as routines go, I think everyone would agree that Nygma, a.k.a Darrin O' Brady always brings the competition as far as freestyles go. Some big SURPRISE routines consists of Kidd Jimmy and Reige at Storm 6, Charlene at Storm: On the DL, and Cboz/Snake Eyes routines.

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