Post subject: Cheat codes in a speedrun
xie
Joined: 1/14/2013
Posts: 1
I am interested in making a TAS of one of my favorite role-playing games. I understand that a TAS needs to be entertaining, but this game is not exactly rated as the best in playability and whatnot. There's an in-game cheat code that can change the costume of the character to something comical which should make the speedrun interesting enough. (You might find it hard to believe something as simple of costume change could boost the TAS's entertainment value, but don't knock the idea just yet) Before I start on my speedrun, I want to know if using a cheat code that doesn't give me an advantage or disadvantage would be something acceptable to do in my speedrun. The cheat code's only purpose is only to change the character's costume and nothing else. Thanks in advance for your help!
Noxxa
They/Them
Moderator, Expert player (4125)
Joined: 8/14/2009
Posts: 4090
Location: The Netherlands
I think a cheat code just for a costume change would be allowed. I know of at least one precedent for this.
http://www.youtube.com/Noxxa <dwangoAC> This is a TAS (...). Not suitable for all audiences. May cause undesirable side-effects. May contain emulator abuse. Emulator may be abusive. This product contains glitches known to the state of California to cause egg defects. <Masterjun> I'm just a guy arranging bits in a sequence which could potentially amuse other people looking at these bits <adelikat> In Oregon Trail, I sacrificed my own family to save time. In Star trek, I killed helpless comrades in escape pods to save time. Here, I kill my allies to save time. I think I need help.
Active player (322)
Joined: 1/15/2012
Posts: 343
This run used a code to turn the referee into a dog. So I think that your cheat code would be allowed.
Site Admin, Skilled player (1254)
Joined: 4/17/2010
Posts: 11478
Location: Lake Char­gogg­a­gogg­man­chaugg­a­gogg­chau­bun­a­gung­a­maugg
Are cheats allowed in a Playaround? Gonna need more lives to showcase stuff!
Warning: When making decisions, I try to collect as much data as possible before actually deciding. I try to abstract away and see the principles behind real world events and people's opinions. I try to generalize them and turn into something clear and reusable. I hate depending on unpredictable and having to make lottery guesses. Any problem can be solved by systems thinking and acting.
Noxxa
They/Them
Moderator, Expert player (4125)
Joined: 8/14/2009
Posts: 4090
Location: The Netherlands
feos wrote:
Are cheats allowed in a Playaround? Gonna need more lives to showcase stuff!
I guess if they add significantly to the entertainment value of the playaround, I would allow it. Though I suppose you'd have to ask FractalFusion or a site admin for an official answer.
http://www.youtube.com/Noxxa <dwangoAC> This is a TAS (...). Not suitable for all audiences. May cause undesirable side-effects. May contain emulator abuse. Emulator may be abusive. This product contains glitches known to the state of California to cause egg defects. <Masterjun> I'm just a guy arranging bits in a sequence which could potentially amuse other people looking at these bits <adelikat> In Oregon Trail, I sacrificed my own family to save time. In Star trek, I killed helpless comrades in escape pods to save time. Here, I kill my allies to save time. I think I need help.
Player (133)
Joined: 5/21/2012
Posts: 75
Location: Cary, NC
feos wrote:
Are cheats allowed in a Playaround? Gonna need more lives to showcase stuff!
There are fighter game playarounds (i.e. MK3) that use unlock codes. I'm pretty sure that if your goal isn't speed, anything goes.
Joined: 11/21/2012
Posts: 53
Location: France
Mothrayas wrote:
I think a cheat code just for a costume change would be allowed. I know of at least one precedent for this.
I agree. For me a cheat code what change a skin or just graphism can be accept but radicaly change the physic or abuse to win can't be admit. I say that for a tas which not a ne game + (as Castlevania SOTN for example).
"Si le mal existe en ce monde, il se cache dans le cœur des hommes." "If there is evil in this world, it lurks in the hearts of man." Edward D. Morrison - Tales of Phantasia
Mitjitsu
He/Him
Banned User
Joined: 4/24/2006
Posts: 2997
Cheats shouldn't be used if it makes the game easier. Unless its a secret or unlockable character. However, it is allowed if it makes the game harder. For example the Streets of Rage 2 TAS. Cosmetic changes are also allowed.
creaothceann
He/Him
Editor
Joined: 4/7/2005
Posts: 1874
Location: Germany
A game with gameplay-altering cheats is simply a different game, i.e. treat it the same as hacks imo.
ALAKTORN
He/Him
Former player
Joined: 10/19/2009
Posts: 2527
Location: Italy
Mothrayas wrote:
I think a cheat code just for a costume change would be allowed. I know of at least one precedent for this.
funny how the submission text doesn’t even remotely talk about the cheat used the SNES football game thing isn’t a cheat, that’s a normal option programmed in the game
Banned User
Joined: 3/10/2004
Posts: 7698
Location: Finland
ALAKTORN wrote:
the SNES football game thing isn’t a cheat, that’s a normal option programmed in the game
Note that we have to distinguish between three different things: 1) An "option" that's directly available in the game's GUI. This is not a "cheat" because it's directly intended to be available. 2) A secret cheat code programmed into the game (such as the famous "konami code".) Even though this is something that the game itself explicitly supports, it's still considered a "cheat" because it's hidden and not intended for normal play. 3) Modifying the actual game code (eg. by using a cheating device.)
adelikat
He/Him
Emulator Coder, Site Developer, Site Owner, Expert player (3573)
Joined: 11/3/2004
Posts: 4754
Location: Tennessee
Mothrayas wrote:
I think a cheat code just for a costume change would be allowed. I know of at least one precedent for this.
There's also NES Metroid as a precedent for this.
It's hard to look this good. My TAS projects