Spelunky is a cave exploration / treasure-hunting game inspired by classic platform games and roguelikes, where the goal is to grab as much treasure from the cave as possible. Every time you play the cave's layout is supposed to be different, but now the Spelunker guy decides to make sure the cave is in his favour by finding everything he needs in no time before zipping his way to the end.
This run aims to reach and defeat the final boss as fast as possible by (ab)using the unpredictable teleporter and a generous supply of bombs.

Game Objectives

  • Emulator used: hourglass-r81
  • FPS set to 30
  • System Time 6001
  • Aims for fastest time
  • Manipulates luck
  • Abuses programming errors

Playback and sync settings

  • Works on Windows XP (Works flawlessly)
  • Works on Windows 8.1 (Blue screens if you use save states!)
  • Does not work on Windows 7
  • Unknown whether it works on Windows Vista
  1. Download Spelunky v1.1 at http://www.spelunkyworld.com/original.html
  2. Download Hourglass-r81 at EmulatorResources/Hourglass
  3. Download the movie file.
  4. Extract all three zips and run the game in Hourglass-r81 with the .wtf file.
(Additionally for windowed mode you can change the resolution of the game by first opening the Config file in the Spelunky 1.1 folder. Then uncheck Full Screen and choose whichever of x1, x2, x3 or x4 Resolution size you wish to use.)
If you've run the game once and wish to watch it again you must open the game normally, enter the Scores door (by pressing up) and push the bottom block onto the Reset button. Then exit the game (Esc and F10) and play the movie again. If you don't do this the game will risk not syncing.
Note to Encoders
Video and audio capture should work on Windows 8.1. Just make sure to set the sound Format to 48000 Hz in Hourglass if you intend to encode it in 48000 Hz. Otherwise Hourglass sets the default Format to 44100 Hz. Non-matching Formats will make the audio desync.

About the run

Items used
  • Crates are basically supplies in a box. It randomly contains one of twenty items with a pack of three bombs or ropes being the most abundant. By abusing the RNG I make sure the Teleporter is the first item to appear.
  • The Teleporter is an item used to teleport yourself left, right and up randomly between 4 to 8 blocks, which means it's extremely easy to teleport yourself into a wall if you're not careful. However if you're about to, the game will try to move you upwards by up to three blocks to avoid dying. If there's still wall after three blocks, you die. In this TAS however, I use it to travel extremely long distances in order to reach the end in no time. It can also be used to telefrag (instantly kill) any enemy except for the boss without it counting on your kills. This means it's possible to kill a shopkeeper and steal all their stuff without ending up on their wanted list. It's also used extensively in order to manipulate the RNG, which is why I teleport more than what's necessary to reach the end.
  • Bombs. Throw them left, right, on the ground, wait 4 seconds and boom! They explode, destroying the ground around it and killing any enemy (except the final boss) caught in the blast. Additionally if another bomb is close by as it explodes, the second bomb will explode after a few frames. If you throw a lot of bombs at the same spot, it causes a chain reaction where they'll fly around randomly and explode everywhere. They are only used on the final boss to blow away the ground beneath it
  • Sticky Bombs is an upgrade to the normal bombs which makes them stick to any surface or enemy when thrown. Useful to blow up certain walls and play tag with annoying enemies. I get them just so I can arrange the bombs for the boss fight, making sure the bombs fly over where I need them to be.
The run
  • Level 1 The cave layout is manipulated by starting the game with a different System Time, which is changed in Hourglass, thus giving me a layout where I have a crate just below me. However the crate doesn't contain the Teleporter if I rush for it straight away, so I must throw the jar with the snake in order to advance the RNG so it actually appears. Then I teleport myself all the way to the exit. I have to test teleporting in various directions in order to advance the RNG for the next level.
  • Level 2 Got lucky with finding a shopkeeper with bombs at the start of the level, so I telefrag him, take 15 bombs and teleport myself to the exit.
  • Level 3-6 Nothing happening here. I just need to reach the end as fast as possible by making sure I begin falling down on the first possible frame and that I reach the end without ever touching the ground. Also manipulating the RNG to make sure this is possible in each upcoming level.
  • Level 7 Another shopkeeper here with the Sticky Bomb upgrade. I take it along with three extra bombs (since it was along the path to the Sticky Bombs anyway) and teleport myself to the exit.
  • Level 8-15 Same as level 3-6. I just need to reach the end as fast as possible while manipulating the RNG without losing any time.
  • Olmec's Lair The boss room with Olmec. He's invulnerable to everything except lava, which is conveniently placed below the thick floor. I first throw a bomb to the right before teleporting myself to where Olmec is. Interestingly the thrown bomb will land exactly in the hole to the left of Olmec, which is important since I need the bombs to explode as soon as possible. Before it does that I climb down into this hole by crawling over the edge, making the Spelunker guy jump down and grab onto the ledge. This traps me in the hole however, but I made sure to bring my teleporter with me down so I can teleport out when the time is right. Normally jumping down from a ledge makes you lose your held item, but by taking out your rope, the game makes you drop that item instead. I throw a bomb inside the hole and wait a while before teleporting out and placing another bomb on the ground. The first two bombs are used to make a hole beneath Olmec for me to use later and the third bomb is for a bomb chain reaction later as well. After Olmec stomps and the first two bombs explode, I throw down the third bomb at the entrance to the new hole and climb it down the same way as earlier. Down there I throw out all other bombs I have and teleport out before the third bomb sets off the chain reaction. Then I teleport around to manipulate the RNG so the bombs will blow up the rest of the ground beneath Olmec and he drops into the lava. I have to wait a while for Olmec to properly melt before I can exit the level and win the game.
Thanks for watching! I hope you've enjoyed the run!

feos: Acceblishing...


TASVideoAgent
They/Them
Moderator
Joined: 8/3/2004
Posts: 15619
Location: 127.0.0.1
This topic is for the purpose of discussing #4373: Tseralith's Windows Spelunky in 01:54.03
Editor, Skilled player (1824)
Joined: 8/25/2013
Posts: 1200
Fantastic. Never thought I'd see Spelunky broken so much. Easy yes vote.
effort on the first draft means less effort on any draft thereafter - some loser
Player (146)
Joined: 7/16/2009
Posts: 686
Awesome.
Joined: 5/13/2009
Posts: 141
THAT WAS AWESOME
Joined: 7/6/2014
Posts: 24
Location: Canada
Really cool. What just happened?
Player (26)
Joined: 8/29/2011
Posts: 1206
Location: Amsterdam
It's a great technical achievement, but it all goes too fast to watch. Is it possible to have a slowed-down encoding? I think we have one for certain other games as well.
Active player (274)
Joined: 2/1/2014
Posts: 928
Radiant wrote:
It's a great technical achievement, but it all goes too fast to watch. Is it possible to have a slowed-down encoding? I think we have one for certain other games as well.
Set Video Speed on YouTube to 0.5 or 0.25 :) Edit: Didn't read anything in the description but the teleporter randomly chooses if you go left or right, and while you're falling you get ported to a position lower than you. So all it takes is to be facing the correct way to be teleported in the direction you like. Never played spelunky before.
Warepire
He/Him
Editor
Joined: 3/2/2010
Posts: 2178
Location: A little to the left of nowhere (Sweden)
That was fantastic. Yes vote.
Active player (459)
Joined: 11/12/2010
Posts: 183
Location: Sweden
solarplex wrote:
Edit: Didn't read anything in the description but the teleporter randomly chooses if you go left or right, and while you're falling you get ported to a position lower than you. So all it takes is to be facing the correct way to be teleported in the direction you like. Never played spelunky before.
Not really. I can decide which direction I wish to go, but the distance I'm teleported is random. I admit I was unsure whether it would be interpreted that way or not. The fact I reach a lower position each time I teleport is because I still maintain my falling momentum. Unfortunately you can't teleport down in Spelunky Classic, however in the Remake you can.
"An artist who can’t take constructive critique on their work is only hurting themselves and their potential. Conversely, and artist that can’t communicate a critique in a constructive way isn’t helping anybody."
Site Admin, Skilled player (1255)
Joined: 4/17/2010
Posts: 11492
Location: Lake Char­gogg­a­gogg­man­chaugg­a­gogg­chau­bun­a­gung­a­maugg
When I run it, the gameplay starts, but the character doesn't move.
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.
Active player (459)
Joined: 11/12/2010
Posts: 183
Location: Sweden
feos wrote:
When I run it, the gameplay starts, but the character doesn't move.
Are you using Windows 8.1? It doesn't work no matter how many times you try? Even if you start the game normally once? Oh, you're not accidentally running and recording a new movie instead of running and playing the existing movie?
"An artist who can’t take constructive critique on their work is only hurting themselves and their potential. Conversely, and artist that can’t communicate a critique in a constructive way isn’t helping anybody."
Site Admin, Skilled player (1255)
Joined: 4/17/2010
Posts: 11492
Location: Lake Char­gogg­a­gogg­man­chaugg­a­gogg­chau­bun­a­gung­a­maugg
It's XP. And no, I don't record it, just run.
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.
Active player (459)
Joined: 11/12/2010
Posts: 183
Location: Sweden
feos wrote:
It's XP. And no, I don't record it, just run.
Windows XP by using Virtual Machine or running it from an XP computer?
"An artist who can’t take constructive critique on their work is only hurting themselves and their potential. Conversely, and artist that can’t communicate a critique in a constructive way isn’t helping anybody."
Site Admin, Skilled player (1255)
Joined: 4/17/2010
Posts: 11492
Location: Lake Char­gogg­a­gogg­man­chaugg­a­gogg­chau­bun­a­gung­a­maugg
The latter.
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.
Patashu
He/Him
Joined: 10/2/2005
Posts: 4045
Excellent! Now if only the remake was TASable too!
My Chiptune music, made in Famitracker: http://soundcloud.com/patashu My twitch. I stream mostly shmups & rhythm games http://twitch.tv/patashu My youtube, again shmups and rhythm games and misc stuff: http://youtube.com/user/patashu
Former player
Joined: 8/1/2004
Posts: 2687
Location: Seattle, WA
Very cool. I look forward to a run that doesn't use the Teleporter, though, as it completely trivializes everything but the final room.
hi nitrodon streamline: cyn-chine
Joined: 7/2/2007
Posts: 3960
Presumably the alternate run would be a City of Gold run. But I have trouble believing that the game isn't trivializable even without the Teleporter; you just need to manipulate layouts so you can fall to the bottom of the level, and then grab a ledge to avoid going splat. Maybe you'd have to pause from time to time to toss a bomb. Frankly I doubt there's a set of rules you can use that makes a TAS look anything like normal play. Level layout manipulation is just too powerful (and/or the generator is too able to give easy layouts).
Pyrel - an open-source rewrite of the Angband roguelike game in Python.
Patashu
He/Him
Joined: 10/2/2005
Posts: 4045
Derakon wrote:
Presumably the alternate run would be a City of Gold run. But I have trouble believing that the game isn't trivializable even without the Teleporter; you just need to manipulate layouts so you can fall to the bottom of the level, and then grab a ledge to avoid going splat. Maybe you'd have to pause from time to time to toss a bomb. Frankly I doubt there's a set of rules you can use that makes a TAS look anything like normal play. Level layout manipulation is just too powerful (and/or the generator is too able to give easy layouts).
Can't wait for Solo Eggplant low% TAS
My Chiptune music, made in Famitracker: http://soundcloud.com/patashu My twitch. I stream mostly shmups & rhythm games http://twitch.tv/patashu My youtube, again shmups and rhythm games and misc stuff: http://youtube.com/user/patashu
Personman
Other
Joined: 4/20/2008
Posts: 465
I'm frustrated by the revelation that I couldn't get this to work because of Windows 7, but I'm also incredibly happy that someone else got it done :)
A warb degombs the brangy. Your gitch zanks and leils the warb.
fsvgm777
She/Her
Senior Publisher, Player (226)
Joined: 5/28/2009
Posts: 1215
Location: Luxembourg
Personman wrote:
I'm frustrated by the revelation that I couldn't get this to work because of Windows 7, but I'm also incredibly happy that someone else got it done :)
Which is weird, because I managed to watch it on my Windows 7 laptop just fine. Didn't even have to mess around with the settings.
Steam Community page - Bluesky profile Oh, I'm just a concerned observer.
Site Admin, Skilled player (1255)
Joined: 4/17/2010
Posts: 11492
Location: Lake Char­gogg­a­gogg­man­chaugg­a­gogg­chau­bun­a­gung­a­maugg
fsvgm777 wrote:
Personman wrote:
I'm frustrated by the revelation that I couldn't get this to work because of Windows 7, but I'm also incredibly happy that someone else got it done :)
Which is weird, because I managed to watch it on my Windows 7 laptop just fine. Didn't even have to mess around with the settings.
Can you dump it for me?
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.
fsvgm777
She/Her
Senior Publisher, Player (226)
Joined: 5/28/2009
Posts: 1215
Location: Luxembourg
feos wrote:
fsvgm777 wrote:
Personman wrote:
I'm frustrated by the revelation that I couldn't get this to work because of Windows 7, but I'm also incredibly happy that someone else got it done :)
Which is weird, because I managed to watch it on my Windows 7 laptop just fine. Didn't even have to mess around with the settings.
Can you dump it for me?
Sure. http://www.mediafire.com/download/fmfp5rm9k9amhcs/tseralith-spelunky-avidump.7z
Steam Community page - Bluesky profile Oh, I'm just a concerned observer.
Active player (459)
Joined: 11/12/2010
Posts: 183
Location: Sweden
Apparently Hourglass decides itself whether you can run the game on Windows or not then. Thanks for making a dump fsvgm777.
"An artist who can’t take constructive critique on their work is only hurting themselves and their potential. Conversely, and artist that can’t communicate a critique in a constructive way isn’t helping anybody."
Editor, Experienced player (570)
Joined: 11/8/2010
Posts: 4038
Very cool and very broken! Yes vote!
fsvgm777
She/Her
Senior Publisher, Player (226)
Joined: 5/28/2009
Posts: 1215
Location: Luxembourg
So I made a 10bit444 encode. This, however, doesn't mean I'm back to encoding/publishing duties (at least not yet).
Steam Community page - Bluesky profile Oh, I'm just a concerned observer.