Post by graviteh

Posted: 8/11/2006 3:33 AM

Post subject: An introduction to TAS and the most prominent videos

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Warp

Banned User, Former player

Joined: 3/10/2004
Posts: 7698
Location: Finland

Ok, so we have a "movies recommended for first time viewers" page, and we have several why/how/faq pages, all basically disjoint from each other. I believe that it's not easy for a first-time viewer to make the connection between the techniques described in the faq pages and the videos themselves. They would have to make quite some research before they can understand what is happening where. This is not helped much by the fact that the length of all the faq pages combined is quite large. So my idea was: How about making an introductory article which explains briefly (but in detail) the idea of a TAS and the techniques used, while giving concrete examples and links to the most prominent videos (perhaps with a short introduction to the video). For example, a paragraph in this introductory article could explain briefly how a robot has been programmed to search for (short) optimal paths to a bonus and then give a link to the megaman video which uses this technique (perhaps mentioning the exact position at which it happens). Some paragraphs could perhaps show, as an example, one or two of the animated gifs in the several tricks pages. And so on. If this article is written well, it could be a much more first-time-user-friendly way if introducing someone to the TAS videos. Currently I suspect that the completely disjoint "first-time videos" and faq pages are not the easiest way of getting a good idea about what this is all about.

Posted: 8/11/2006 5:31 AM

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Morrison

He/Him

Former player

Joined: 8/2/2006
Posts: 195
Location: USA

The FAQs are great. When I first came to the site, I read those; they're extremely informative, but it is pretty long. The new generation probably doesn't have the attention span for it (haha). A brief introductory paragraph explaining what TASes are placed at the top of the FAQ page and/or the "Movies for First Time Viewers" page could be helpful, but it's really not necessary. The FAQ's and these links:

Frontpage wrote:

Information: Tool assisted? What's that? Savestates? How to help this site Answers to all kinds of questions Who keeps this site running?

already do a great job explaining what TASing is all about as far as I was concerned as a first time viewer.

twitch.tv/Retrogaming2084

Posted: 8/12/2006 6:39 PM

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Warp

Banned User, Former player

Joined: 3/10/2004
Posts: 7698
Location: Finland

My point was: Yes, they do explain what TASes are, but they are completely disconnected from the actual videos, they usually lack concrete examples and are quite long. I actually expressed my idea in a bit confusing way in my first post. I didn't actually mean that we need a short introduction to what TASes are. What I wanted to say was that it would probably be very interesting for newcomers (and even many not-so-newcomers) if there was an article explaining what TASes are, what techniques are used and so on, in a concise and clear way and with links to outstanding videos which use the mentioned techniques. Perhaps a bit like the wikipedia article, but more concentrated on giving concrete examples and explaining what is happening in the most outstanding videos. Currently we have tons of FAQs and tons of videos, completely disjointed and separated. There isn't much connection between them. The visitors have to make the connections themselves if they really want (most probably won't). If someone eg. reads about a cool-sounding technique in a FAQ, he might want to see an outstanding video where this technique is prominently used. Currently this is usually just impossible without a lot of research and searching. Given the amount of replies to this suggestion, it seems that people here are not very interested. I'm honestly surprised. Personally I think this would be a great idea.

Posted: 8/12/2006 7:44 PM

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Morrison

He/Him

Former player

Joined: 8/2/2006
Posts: 195
Location: USA

Okay, now I understand what you mean. I think it's a good idea, but I don't think it will ever be seen unless you write it up. :)

twitch.tv/Retrogaming2084

Posted: 8/12/2006 7:54 PM

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SXL

Joined: 2/7/2005
Posts: 571

maybe you should start the work Warp, so people could see what it would give. I personally would love to see a TAS video tutorial (basic savestates/rerecording), it would be both educative (for curious watchers) and useful (for beginners TASing). but I wouldn't know how to make such a video, your idea would need the participation of experienced players and intelligent, efficient directors. I guess the lack of answers in this topic comes from the lack of such people... we need more heroes :)

I never sleep, 'cause sleep is the cousin of death - NAS