Post subject: Splinter Cell series
Dr_Doppietta
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Joined: 11/22/2018
Posts: 14
There's no topic on Splinter Cell in this section, as far as I searched... Any fan here? After making my very first TAS on DBZ Infinite World to get the feel of PCSX2-rr, I'm getting interested in SC series. SC Chaos Theory is my main focus for now, but I plan to get my hands on Double Agent and the others later. On Youtube, PS2 version is mostly overshadowed by PC counterpart (and maybe Xbox's), because of better routes, graphic, gameplay, ect..., so this is still an unexplored path. Having lost many hours on PS2 version since I was I kid, I'm trying to speedrunning it recently, because I know it better than anyone else. So far, I'm looking forward to understand which "style" I could use to TAS it, because imho SC should be played in the most stealth way possible. I've found the actual 100% and any% WR on PC version, and I'd like to stick with the 100% for now; even tho I don't like that "commando-like" style of his. I prefer playing this way, which is more of a "ghostrun" instead of a speedrun, to enjoy the game as much as I can and as it was intended to be. The problem is: I'm not so sure about using actual record (on PC version) to time my TAS, because the PS2 version has far more loading points and totally different levels layout. For example: PC 1° level timing is 2:31, my timing is 7:34. Of course I can shave off several minutes playing more aggressively, but the real question is: how can I calculate, or at least get an idea, of what the actual timing of a TAS speedrun should be? I'd like to optimize it the best that I can, otherwise my work will be wasted on something not worthwhile to watch... Also, it would be interesting to TAS the Coop mode, but I don't know how to input two controllers at the same time... Could someone explain me, please? I've been using PS3 controller so far, so I can't just play both characters at the same time.
Dimon12321
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It's alright! TASing judgement is always aimed on in-game time (IGT): the time, that is spent on actual walkthorugh, not on loadings. As far as I know, Gamecube's version of SC 2003 is as simplified as PS2 version is, but has better graphics. Both versions show 30 FPS. The worst thing is if you discover no glitches and just repeat what speedrun has done. That's why I'm not interested in TASing SC series yet. Coop is a real pain in the butt for TASing. It's still damn difficult if you TAS a 2D game with the help of TAS editor and just tick on your input spreadsheet sequence to see what will happen. In a 3D game, you should take a list of paper and write down your full input for each frame and check for several times if everything works as you planned. In short, your progress will as slow as a snail crawls.
TASing is like making a film: only the best takes are shown in the final movie.
Spikestuff
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A video dealing with the differences: Link to video This is also probably the perfect opportunity to write this: It's possible for sake of the game to have two submissions down to the layout differences. PS2/GameCube on one side. PC/Xbox on the other.
WebNations/Sabih wrote:
+fsvgm777 never censoring anything.
Disables Comments and Ratings for the YouTube account. These colours are pretty neato, and also these.
Dr_Doppietta
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Joined: 11/22/2018
Posts: 14
Dimon12321 wrote:
It's alright! TASing judgement is always aimed on in-game time (IGT): the time, that is spent on actual walkthorugh, not on loadings.
Not quite. You see, Splinter Cell Chaos Theory, on PS2 versions, has several checkpoints where you ARE actually playing (you can stand up/lie down and turn the camera) so the In-Game Time is flowing, but you can't move. So, on each checkpoint loading, you're losing 2-3 seconds, seconds that will be calculated by the game in the ending screen results. So, yes, it is a problem indeed. On second thought, you can just die and restart from checkpoint to move freely from the beginning, but I don't know if that's gonna be alright... Also, PC2 version is only TASable from PCSX2-rr, and as far as I know that emulator is not allowed.
Dimon12321 wrote:
As far as I know, Gamecube's version of SC 2003 is as simplified as PS2 version is, but has better graphics. Both versions show 30 FPS.
Wait, GC version is the same as PS2? But, if Dolphin is allowed to TAS submission (I maybe wrong, please correct me if I am), I could actually play and submit a TAS!
Dimon12321 wrote:
The worst thing is if you discover no glitches and just repeat what speedrun has done. That's why I'm not interested in TASing SC series yet.
Maybe it's because I don't understand english perfectly, but I don't get what you're meaning, here... You mean, if a new bug is discovered, I may end up re-doing the TAS to further optimize it? That's none of my business, I prefer playing glitchless. lol
Dimon12321 wrote:
Coop is a real pain in the butt for TASing. It's still damn difficult if you TAS a 2D game with the help of TAS editor and just tick on your input spreadsheet sequence to see what will happen. In a 3D game, you should take a list of paper and write down your full input for each frame and check for several times if everything works as you planned. In short, your progress will as slow as a snail crawls.
Ok, but HOW!? It seems to me I can't do it on PCSX2-rr, because I can only input commands throught my PS3 pad. Is there any other program I should download alongside PCSX2-rr to make "Double TAS"? Thanks, Spikestuff, for posting the video. I already saw it, but it's nice reminding me.
Spikestuff wrote:
This is also probably the perfect opportunity to write this: It's possible for sake of the game to have two submissions down to the layout differences. PS2/GameCube on one side. PC/Xbox on the other.
That's good! If PCSX2-rr would be allowed one day, or if I get on Dolphin and play the GC version, this could be the perfect opportunity to submit a video. Oh, also, I was wondering: what if I want to post my efforts so far so that people can see it and suggest me other things to do/add/remove from my TAS? Like a open Work-In-Progress where I show you all a video and you say "you can save time by doing this/that" ect...
Spikestuff
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Dr Doppietta wrote:
That's good! If PCSX2-rr would be allowed one day, or if I get on Dolphin and play the GC version, this could be the perfect opportunity to submit a video.
PCSX2-rr is using hacky emulation to get the job done, so not for the foreseeable future no. Probably when DobieStation will get to that day without the relying on hacks that PCSX2 is doing (and being pluginless). However, that day will take time.
WebNations/Sabih wrote:
+fsvgm777 never censoring anything.
Disables Comments and Ratings for the YouTube account. These colours are pretty neato, and also these.
Dr_Doppietta
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Joined: 11/22/2018
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I can still make a "non official" TAS of SC CT, till that day comes. Speaking of which, I was asking: how can I estimate precisely the amount of time I should spend of each level? As I said, for example, my time on Lighthouse is 7:34, WR is 2:31. Should I just make an math operation or what? I'd like to optimize timing.
Dimon12321
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Dr Doppietta wrote:
Dimon12321 wrote:
The worst thing is if you discover no glitches and just repeat what speedrun has done. That's why I'm not interested in TASing SC series yet.
Maybe it's because I don't understand english perfectly, but I don't get what you're meaning, here... You mean, if a new bug is discovered, I may end up re-doing the TAS to further optimize it? That's none of my business, I prefer playing glitchless. lol Oh, also, I was wondering: what if I want to post my efforts so far so that people can see it and suggest me other things to do/add/remove from my TAS? Like a open Work-In-Progress where I show you all a video and you say "you can save time by doing this/that" ect...
I mean, people won't enjoy much if you do everything like in speedrun. Yes, you can create a thread and post files and videos there, but don't wait for hype (excitement) from people! This community reacts weakly on games that are different from Mario and Sonic. Maybe 1-2 people will respond. I found that on own skin!
TASing is like making a film: only the best takes are shown in the final movie.
Dr_Doppietta
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Joined: 11/22/2018
Posts: 14
Don't worry, PC and PS2 versions have very different levels layout, so it won't be similar. I'll even try to use a different style, more like the ghost style I like and I'm currently using in my YT speedrun. I suspected that. lol Well, where or in which section I can create that topic?
Joined: 1/22/2019
Posts: 7
I do not know whether this game is available for the PS 2 or Ps 3 but can be easily played n the Xbox. Well, thank god for this topic over here.
Sheila W Daniels
Joined: 3/2/2019
Posts: 10
SheilaDaniels wrote:
I do not know whether this game is available for the PS 2 or Ps 3 but can be easily played n the Xbox. Well, thank god for this topic over here.
well, which gaming console do you use t play your game? I am a PC gamer and looking forward to having the latest series.
David E King
Dr_Doppietta
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Posts: 14
SheilaDaniels wrote:
I do not know whether this game is available for the PS 2 or Ps 3 but can be easily played n the Xbox. Well, thank god for this topic over here.
Splinter Cell Chaos Theory is current available on PS2, GameCube, Xbox and PC. Also, an HD remake was done for the "HD classic trilogy" and contains the levels of the PC version but in HD and is for PS3 (maybe Zbox360 also?). Thank you for coming. :) Also, I bring some news: I continued working on my Chaos Theory GhostRun and made some new videos; I even tried doing a TAS out of it. The fact is: whenever you're gonna aim with a gun/grenade or hack a terminal (both phisically or from EEV), TAS desyncs 99% of times. With some luck and MANY retry, you can get a fully syncd video, but it's still very laggy (expecially if using googles) and chunky. If you're interested, I can make a LITTLE video of SC Chaos Theory in TAS to show. But, still, don't expect much or you'll be sorely disappointed.
DavidKing wrote:
well, which gaming console do you use to play your game? I am a PC gamer and looking forward to having the latest series.
I play on PC, from PCSX2-rr emulator running a PS2 version of SC Chaos Theory. I also have the PC version, which is FAR better, but I don't like playing from keyboard. Latest SC ever done is Blacklist, which I tried and liked much. Still, there are rumors a new SC should be out in 2019-2020. Stay tuned for further news...
Joined: 9/18/2018
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Location: Québec, Canada
I remember playing with my brother on the PC version of Splinter Cell : Chaos Theory. We used to play networked games of it and had a blast!
My new website, a blog about retro gaming! RetroGameUp Youtube channel featuring gameplay of old retro game! GlitchoMuseum