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Epic Pinball - Enigma

Epic Pinball was a collection of pinball tables noted for being programmed entirely in x86 assembly language.
Originally released in three packs on floppy disk. Each pack had 4 playable tables. This run uses the CD (aka Full) version which also contains an additional table--African Safari.
This TAS plays the Enigma Table as it has a relatively definable endpoint (though play can continue indefinitely thereafter).

TAS Notes

  • It's pinball.
  • Goal: Make the Enigma arrive as fast as possible.
    • There are 4 unique levels of play that must be completed for the Enigma to arrive.
      • Level 1: Hit all the red gems then hit the shoes to advance.
      • Level 2: Hit all the bar targets 3 times then the gem to advance. One 'death' (lost ball) is used here to save time.
      • Level 3: Hit all the diamond targets then the gem to advance.
      • Level 4: Hit all the gems. Then kill the teddy bear. Then hit the cone targets. And finally lock the ball to make the Enigma appear.
    • There are minimal opportunities for gaining extra points, and thus these targets are ignored unless hit by chance.
    • Once the Enigma arrives, play continues indefinitely by having the player hit a never ending string of red gem targets similar to Level 1. This is considered a bonus stage by the game and is not played in this run.
    • This run is completed by tilting out once the score for spawning Enigma has been awarded, then purposely losing the remaining balls. High-score initials are input then the credits are shown.
    • Table Nudging is used to alter ball movement. These nudges appear as jumps/twitches of the table on the screen. These are not emulation errors but intentional.
Potential Improvements
  • Though I've done the best I can to optimize this run, there are a vast number of possibilities for ball direction and speed on any given flipper strike. A change in timing to any given strike will alter all future events and flipper strikes. As such, it's possible that better 'routing' of ball strikes/direction may yield a faster run. Also, nudging the table can alter ball movement as well and can be performed on just about any frame further increasing the potential for different 'routes'.
  • RNG Manipulation? - If the appearing/disappearing bumpers in Level 1 are RNG dependent, I couldn't figure out what it was. It's not time based as changing the initial RTC does not affect them. Manipulating them to not appear in the path of the ball may be beneficial and could possibly yield a faster run.
  • As it's necessary to lose balls to complete the run, if a run that selects 3 balls instead of 5 in the options can match or improve on the ball routing of this run; a faster run may result. This would depend in part on the time required to change the settings vs time required to just lose the two extra balls.
Emulator Used c-squares modified JPC-rr 11.2

Files

HDD, TRACKS 16, SIDES 16, SECTORS 63
TimestampMD5SizeFilename
199001010000009e58938ea3594154b16c22621a39490d4000END.PIN
19900101000000425fb4968cdbfe80d8967d2833584fee38251EP1.DAT
19900101000000208c9ccb1059d309626c136e4e3e2b13251787EP1.EXE
19900101000000eedbf3f2feb31190331f5556cb91bd2e48397EP10.DAT
1990010100000084eff3663038835bc37c769403a6fa36246683EP10.EXE
1990010100000089519874d46eaba3d7641831f5c6219648069EP11.DAT
1990010100000079eadc4936112603c051b976943ebea4224763EP11.EXE
19900101000000c067a6e515268c659996cc51b8f329e048024EP12.DAT
19900101000000e694142a4eb7b5a64fd1035ae0e9e3ec235051EP12.EXE
19900101000000b6c3aafd0c19ca0b917d5ad416a24be348272EP13.DAT
199001010000008795395973833ae3a7a64d6e4f87b167217307EP13.EXE
19900101000000021d62f1138a257e88b11e011093d40040874EP2.DAT
19900101000000a09c082cad66f4860f79c527ccd94aae255691EP2.EXE
19900101000000787d77edc35b4d03630f9d8c6d34c08b48281EP3.DAT
19900101000000d96f1ab76b77df8f365aef1e7b5d6d84245259EP3.EXE
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199001010000007b8d2d0b0a43408f0f3f070d4169a60a250027EP4.EXE
19900101000000d44ee1aebdd2a9b35720442cca8df22946280EP5.DAT
19900101000000a5b78cf5d0a9ccb5f93d26b823f38db2226971EP5.EXE
1990010100000032734d7442f6a7dbc6e17be94d80cf1535550EP6.DAT
19900101000000ca287393149c0309d9a979984fda976a252683EP6.EXE
19900101000000e95a4fd1963baa2030ac06033b48294b51557EP7.DAT
19900101000000febcd2dd9efc28fa1186c95f17f546e2240571EP7.EXE
19900101000000299ff9dc26ca59cbedcdb2879e0440e054529EP8.DAT
1990010100000098ea6ba89c4b5222fa3db8d261e7c194298763EP8.EXE
199001010000009ee768477ba70f758a422602dd848b0947049EP9.DAT
199001010000009eaff9002fc3b3d62ce59df93252bd67242315EP9.EXE
199001010000006865731614c66532f8275f1ab466635f283FILE_ID.DIZ
19900101000000c4e65232bfb43de8e66a4f25b4b2fcf212495HELPME.DOC
199001010000004643b477d085584762b3334734a8f99314448HELPME.EXE
19900101000000a41cc7b7bb673580e8a77804933ae2f620ID1.DAT
199001010000008b7513d603d252f09ea3c930b75f8ae520ID10.DAT
199001010000005ed2821aeb3c2b35cecc801b1cf4a04a20ID11.DAT
1990010100000050809e018e13dcd42cb558c7167e19ec20ID12.DAT
19900101000000281ceaaa9ff68d9cdf080506405915dd20ID13.DAT
199001010000006afdba56d1c802a84642a17bf1c8380420ID2.DAT
199001010000007cf3ee31660ab80d1f93dfdb66368c7620ID3.DAT
19900101000000b7764ab41d01cdfac308193809b7ae1120ID4.DAT
199001010000008c926206b6be76f37173b748190c7d1f20ID5.DAT
19900101000000d86d6bfa71a7abd1d51c6c5dcd80cb8320ID6.DAT
19900101000000d838f84ee849e9f21806c991c46ac55820ID7.DAT
19900101000000ad9e1b0632dfa8767d3aa9bd76cbd67820ID8.DAT
19900101000000ea5f15db0a28bb8f401ff7858bb005d420ID9.DAT
1990010100000038d1ca811369e27bbf299b1f6aac489a154397INTRO.PIN
199001010000005f8c6fa6397eca6fcfa5b94fc3eb987d7869LICENSE.DOC
1990010100000099a1dfdb11e9dd081c86872e124ae3524680MDRV000R.MUS
19900101000000d13b96a236cb8abac9545fa4980e7f3e504MDRV001R.MUS
19900101000000ff855d0991610172c3b0a5aba72ff261498MDRV002R.MUS
19900101000000eba9cf8418e37ff7c6c1f8fe354119e64755MDRV003R.MUS
199001010000004ae79791476535c3235662b9106e704c9789MDRV004R.MUS
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199001010000003d7fe17811e97b53a1ae08ed31a7e45c6062ORDER.DOC
199001010000009c677018b0b6931f42cb8f728ec59e0820485ORDER.EXE
19900101000000b40ef7623e44de8dce1e2e1bfc4e5041111586ORDER.TFP
199001010000000625abd0be343eb52175e64d093b0caa3862ORDER_DE.DOC
199001010000006d8d7c1664cf18976768d3b8382861025655ORDER_UK.DOC
19900101000000b4c0af6d6f70118450217123075d6feb11620PIN01.TFP
199001010000009b1691377319d7a11f35b51a72385c0311566PIN02.TFP
19900101000000e8cc1e55f75ad91bf098c5b18c8227ea10956PIN03.TFP
199001010000007d43d276844d135b7bfbb761273de52411808PIN04.TFP
1990010100000073e3ae79c8449cf0b6405e5064bbd4f910923PIN05.TFP
19900101000000428162bfcd804861a86938468c4483f711652PIN06.TFP
199001010000007cdea57a324585739d969af8f70bc52f12598PIN07.TFP
199001010000003f12f8eccd3aa018a379336096a2207710835PIN08.TFP
199001010000004e45e12cc63904ec7bf12b002221b99111890PIN09.TFP
199001010000000106184c940c64270f2246a123d5393c12080PIN10.TFP
199001010000003d869faec5a541fe6fe809b8cb2c8e7611853PIN11.TFP
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19900101000000c3dc127d573e01296b591ce3dbb713e111933PIN13.TFP
19900101000000f17190391afdbd8da1225595cccb0a3937461PINBALL.EXE
19900101000000197c3f2486c28fe6f20de051940fd8c78807REG.DAT
199001010000003a9e2e034b52d91e43abdccf43ab665c105227SETUP.EXE
19900101000000685ceed3fb70e6286773a497a92f55b02908SETUP.INT
19900101000000ca8f63650bf10f931e12d9423c81756b66945SFX0.PIN
199001010000001e12da6f7ecdb1d97fd73e9a9238b01d116478SFX1.PIN
1990010100000057ebac7f9f29b450b0956846c74d842e111018SFX10.PIN
1990010100000024567fca00e223f1700ff78132316c9393673SFX11.PIN
19900101000000b70eb52d914d9bf39d09e978a98d3f4c97778SFX12.PIN
199001010000004098a22c4f8d80550d7ad1f7cf782e5992481SFX13.PIN
19900101000000ee6877dabf6b38cc85e1ce0c6e4d5c83126325SFX2.PIN
19900101000000aabbfc5d55f911b6b0e486c34c3b79a457062SFX3.PIN
199001010000000462e885484439d68521da3ce487b47292798SFX4.PIN
19900101000000948648977972b2ebc8e5fcb4a760f55221340SFX5.PIN
199001010000004098a22c4f8d80550d7ad1f7cf782e5992481SFX6.PIN
199001010000009df4b61a810905c484d3cdeebfe2c854133901SFX7.PIN
19900101000000c287bb9cc02c18416c4b60ce18bd1a98132042SFX8.PIN
19900101000000d56621cd799adce077f09daf370a7c49106545SFX9.PIN
199001010000002591df28d8853cdb17674885ddf21ac9115895SONG0.PSM
199001010000007022c93f58988b1647bc225ed0b8f0aa66896SONG1.PSM
19900101000000455b170cfa8352cda94792437ac1136a124903SONG10.PSM
1990010100000027cb282509b3e2689100766d2c2647f7144593SONG11.PSM
199001010000004b4e2cfcfda4cd2424393bf6962199fb114671SONG12.PSM
1990010100000039830ccceed7e5a42463ca8be530f11563870SONG13.PSM
19900101000000bf2e253fa894afec7a1137ebaf2044cf49374SONG2.PSM
199001010000003bfa31f7f3b7979ad2ee466c344b8b65178082SONG3.PSM
19900101000000463bf003be514c39b7cdd1b4d32e92f3153871SONG4.PSM
199001010000000d7c2eaf107f8f4c620390e47b88235720018SONG5.PSM
199001010000004c24d452791c53b87717c94a55353c15145994SONG6.PSM
1990010100000083f3b85e2d5be0066759001fc3b5922f120516SONG7.PSM
199001010000003f95988349a0745bd16e62022d26f35748923SONG8.PSM
19900101000000b1364fa6c2b92815acb561033f8d668586068SONG9.PSM
199001010000004e88033d5b31b5df8d35c48a7213a74a38SOUNDCRD.INF
fsvgm777: Replaced movie file with one that was done on a clean installation (before first run).
Noxxa: Judging.
Noxxa: Delaying until the movie file is extended to include a proper ending of the game (see this post).
Noxxa: Replaced movie file with an extended version, and accepting to Moons.
fsvgm777: Processing.

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Posted: 1/7/2018 8:01 AM
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PLANET
He/Him
Joined: 1/3/2018
Posts: 74
Oh, and while there's still voting, my mental "Yes" vote for this! : ) This is definitely great, entertaining, and seems really tightly optimized : )
Posted: 1/7/2018 7:27 PM
Quote
hopper
Joined: 11/15/2004
Posts: 804
Location: Canada
That is one spartan table! Nothing particularly exciting happens, so I give it a Meh for entertainment.
TASing or playing back a DOS game? Make sure your files match the archive at RGB Classic Games.
Posted: 1/8/2018 9:34 PM
Quote
Ferret_Warlord
Skilled player (1418)
Joined: 10/27/2004
Posts: 1978
Location: Making an escape
hopper wrote:
That is one spartan table! Nothing particularly exciting happens, so I give it a Meh for entertainment.
Which is a shame, because the idea of an amorphous pinball table is an interesting one with a lot of potential. And yet it turned out to be just a series of targets.
A hundred years from now, they will gaze upon my work and marvel at my skills but never know my name. And that will be good enough for me.
Posted: 1/8/2018 10:15 PM
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DrD2k9
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Ferret Warlord wrote:
Which is a shame, because the idea of an amorphous pinball table is an interesting one with a lot of potential. And yet it turned out to be just a series of targets.
I wonder if it would be possible to build a table with a play-surface made from a thickish yet flexible material (silicone perhaps) that could then have multiple ramps/obstacles that would push up from underneath, constantly changing the playfield depending on goals met during play. This could even allow for a difficulty curve via the angle of ramps being variable and adjusted to be harder to hit for more advanced levels. EDIT: This variable table concept should be revisited in video game format regardless of whether a physical table could be created. (I really need to learn how to code.)
Posted: 1/9/2018 1:24 AM
Quote
nymx
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Wow, I was never good enough to get to the end of this table. I'm glad to finally have seen what happens. Thanks. Yes vote.
I recently discovered that if you haven't reached a level of frustration with TASing any game, then you haven't done your due diligence. ---- SOYZA: Are you playing a game? NYMX: I'm not playing a game, I'm TASing. SOYZA: Oh...so its not a game...Its for real? ---- Anybody got a Quantum computer I can borrow for 20 minutes? Nevermind...eien's 64 core machine will do. :) ---- BOTing will be the end of all games. --NYMX
Posted: 1/21/2018 4:35 PM
Quote
dwangoAC
Moderator, Senior Ambassador, Skilled player (1006)
Joined: 9/14/2008
Posts: 1014
Exotic platforms TASer of 2015 Exotic platforms TASer of 2013
DrD2k9 wrote:
I wonder if it would be possible to build a table with a play-surface made from a thickish yet flexible material (silicone perhaps) that could then have multiple ramps/obstacles that would push up from underneath, constantly changing the playfield depending on goals met during play.
Have you seen https://www.multimorphic.com/p3-pinball-platform/ by any chance? It's not quite the same thing you describe but an adaptable pinball platform with a full display and ball tracking to allow for dynamic interactive targets below the ball is pretty close.
I was laid off in May 2023 and became too ill to work this year and could use support via Patreon or onetime donations as work on TASBot Re: and TASBot HD is stalled. I'm dwangoAC, TASVideos Senior Ambassador and BDFL of the TASBot community; when healthy, I post TAS content on YouTube.com/dwangoAC based on livestreams from Twitch.tv/dwangoAC.
Posted: 1/21/2018 4:44 PM
Post subject: Vote Yes
Quote
Nach
Emulator Coder
Joined: 3/9/2004
Posts: 4588
Location: In his lab studying psychology to find new ways to torture TASers and forumers
Not the most entertaining run, but it did do a nice job with what was provided. I ended up liking it overall.
Warning: Opinions expressed by Nach or others in this post do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or position of Nach himself on the matter(s) being discussed therein.
Posted: 1/22/2018 2:45 AM
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DrD2k9
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dwangoAC wrote:
Have you seen https://www.multimorphic.com/p3-pinball-platform/ by any chance? It's not quite the same thing you describe but an adaptable pinball platform with a full display and ball tracking to allow for dynamic interactive targets below the ball is pretty close.
I hadn't seen that, but it looks intriguing. Too bad I don't have about $20k to blow on one and a few extra drop in modules. The display with ball tracking is pretty cool. I still think a physically morphable surface would be cool, something that could be altered on the fly. The flexible surface with ramps under that pop up or an electro-reactive material that could be varied by changing electrical charge (something akin to Batman's cape fabric from the Nolan Batman movies.) Or even using electromagnets to modify the surface somehow; though this would require balls of material other than steel (I believe I've seen ceramic ones before).
Nach wrote:
Not the most entertaining run, but it did do a nice job with what was provided. I ended up liking it overall.
A simple statement, yet very meaningful considering who it's from. Thank You.
Posted: 1/24/2018 10:50 PM
Quote
Noxxa
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DrD2k9 wrote:
fsvgm777 wrote:
By the way, the movie ends mid-gameplay. It probably would be better to suicide the remaining balls to at least reach a high score entry.
If the judge feels this is necessary for completeness (but the run is otherwise publishable), I will have them set the decision to 'delayed' and add the extra few inputs even though it will result in a slightly longer run.
For the sake of (some) consistency with the other Epic Pinball TAS, as well as general preference to have movies end on a proper ending sequence where available, I would prefer that the movie file finishes gameplay, goes back to the main menu, opens credits and ends input there. If that's done, I will accept this movie.
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.
Posted: 1/25/2018 4:26 PM
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DrD2k9
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Mothrayas wrote:
...I would prefer that the movie file finishes gameplay, goes back to the main menu, opens credits and ends input there. If that's done, I will accept this movie.
I'll get that done asap. EDIT: I need Mothrayas's thoughts on how to complete the TAS as I can do any of the following. Listed in order of increasing time requirements: 1) Tilt immediately to release the ball asap as the Enigma arrives--but before the points are awarded--and then kill remaining balls. (This will not begin the 'Final Bonus Round' of gems.) 2) Tilt to release ball after receiving the points for reaching the Enigma. (Again this will not begin the 'Final Bonus Round' of gems.) 3) Tilt to release ball as soon as the 'Final Bonus Round' text is shown. (This will not actually start the bonus round, but will yield a glitched enigma sprite and remaining dead teddy bear as the final balls are killed). 4)Tilting/waiting for the the lock release as the bonus round starts then killing remaining balls. (I have yet not actually tested to see if it's possible to tilt as the round starts to release faster than the standard lock release). If you want the final bonus round to start, I'll do whichever of these is faster. The only differences that actually starting the bonus round will accomplish is removing the teddy, enigma, and adding red gems that can be seen on the launch of the remaining balls (none will be acquired). My personal preference is waiting at least until the score is awarded before releasing the ball, but I understand if the earlier option would be considered better for a shorter run. Please let me know and I'll finish where appropriate. SIDE NOTE: Since the decision was made that remaining balls needed killed to complete the game, I tried adjusting the game settings to 3 balls instead of 5 and re-syncing inputs. This however desynced as the ball path was different on the initial launch (the launch angle must be RNG dependent and changing the settings changed it).
Posted: 1/25/2018 10:43 PM
Quote
Noxxa
They/Them
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DrD2k9 wrote:
EDIT: I need Mothrayas's thoughts on how to complete the TAS as I can do any of the following. Listed in order of increasing time requirements: 1) Tilt immediately to release the ball asap as the Enigma arrives--but before the points are awarded--and then kill remaining balls. (This will not begin the 'Final Bonus Round' of gems.) 2) Tilt to release ball after receiving the points for reaching the Enigma. (Again this will not begin the 'Final Bonus Round' of gems.) 3) Tilt to release ball as soon as the 'Final Bonus Round' text is shown. (This will not actually start the bonus round, but will yield a glitched enigma sprite and remaining dead teddy bear as the final balls are killed). 4)Tilting/waiting for the the lock release as the bonus round starts then killing remaining balls. (I have yet not actually tested to see if it's possible to tilt as the round starts to release faster than the standard lock release). If you want the final bonus round to start, I'll do whichever of these is faster. The only differences that actually starting the bonus round will accomplish is removing the teddy, enigma, and adding red gems that can be seen on the launch of the remaining balls (none will be acquired). My personal preference is waiting at least until the score is awarded before releasing the ball, but I understand if the earlier option would be considered better for a shorter run. Please let me know and I'll finish where appropriate.
I agree that receiving the points is a good indicator that the Enigma was reached and the objective to reach it was achieved. That should do for a gameplay completion point. So, option 2.
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.
Posted: 1/26/2018 2:12 AM
Quote
DrD2k9
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Joined: 8/21/2016
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Here is the updated movie file. I'll be editing the submission notes to make them more in line with this file. Though it's nearly impossible to tell at normal speed, the initials used for the high score table were "TAS". Also, the points for spawning Enigma are awarded, but the award text is only present for a couple frames before the "TILT" text pops up. The scoreboard shows the correct total. For those who care about such things, the re-record count is likely incorrect as I did some copy/paste work in Notepad++ to manipulate inputs and ease the job of updating the run. E: I updated the temp encode link with the new completed run.
Posted: 2/17/2018 7:27 PM
Post subject: Movie published
Quote
TASVideoAgent
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Posts: 15644
Location: 127.0.0.1
This movie has been published. The posts before this message apply to the submission, and posts after this message apply to the published movie. ---- [3637] DOS Epic Pinball "Enigma" by DrD2k9 in 01:36.81
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