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DarkKobold wrote:
Brandon wrote:
Some authors upload dumps. Those are fine for deciding whether you want to vote for it or not. HD and SD encodes only become relevant when they are set for publication; in fact, I think we'd have less issues if author's uploaded their dumps and encoders only worked on the ones that are ready for publication. I mean, I literally see claims minutes after a movie's been submitted. That's just silly.
I'd agree if authors have their own dump prepared, there is no reason to rush to have an encode. However, an author with their own encode is a rarity, not the majority. Most authors can't do their own encodes. If a movie is encoded right away, that is a good thing.
OK, then here's an idea: how about we make it policy for encoders that they only work on published runs, and another class of user can just upload dumps? I mean, if the author of the run knows how to produce a high quality HD encode, that's their right, but having us do this kind of work for them is a privilege that should be earned by creating a TAS worth publishing.
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DarkKobold wrote:
Brandon wrote:
good rhythm down, odds are, you won't be able to process 7 dumps in a few days. The solution is simple; know your limits, and work within them. Is that asking too much? :\
Yes, because most submissions get their views in the first day or two of sitting on the workbench. Hence why having an encode ASAP can get less popular movies the votes necessary to accept or reject. I would say the vast majority of people who watch a submission and vote will only do so if there is an encode to start.
It would take way too much overhead to change, but I'd love it if authors could voluntarily submit to a waiting area, where they wouldn't hit the workbench (and be viewable to the public) until they had an encode. This would help a lot of submissions get votes and views.
But, it is a pipe dream. It would take too much overhaul of the submission process.
Some authors upload dumps. Those are fine for deciding whether you want to vote for it or not. HD and SD encodes only become relevant when they are set for publication; in fact, I think we'd have less issues if author's uploaded their dumps and encoders only worked on the ones that are ready for publication. I mean, I literally see claims minutes after a movie's been submitted. That's just silly.
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DarkKobold wrote:
Flygon wrote:
How about just banning the whole claiming process?
Well, techincally, "claiming" is now banned.
However, if you are currently dumping a movie, it would be silly to have someone else start as well.
I'm not sure if the issue really is with dumping; I dump several videos ahead of time. Encoding takes a long time, and unless you've got a good rhythm down, odds are, you won't be able to process 7 dumps in a few days. The solution is simple; know your limits, and work within them. Is that asking too much? :\
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Dooty wrote:
I know it's kinda off topic, but why is your .smv file about 10mb in size?
If I had to guess, it's probably some side effect of heavy usage of TASEditor. It's a pretty hacky program at times, so I wouldn't put it past them to make the size abnormally large. Still, this is complete speculation.
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I took some more. Maybe people will have preferences:
I'll make the torrent and publish tonight. But seriously, NitrogGenesis, if you're going to claim, please get the stuff done, correctly, and quickly. I'm willing to overlook the slightly sub-par subtitle placement, but I know you can do better.
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OK, I'm going to stop being lazy and get the remainder of the things I need on my own, and publish hopefully later today or tomorrow.
Edit: Here's one that I thought looked nice:
Thoughts?
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After three edits, I think it's fair to make a double post. Level 8 (Microstorage isn't working for me currently, so right-click, Save File As). In this, I saved 860 frames from Mysterypea's version. The second I saw that there was only two rerecords was the second I knew I'd find a huge improvement. :\
On a side note, I've been trying to improve 2, 5, and 7 for a while now, and I simply can't seem to do it. I welcome anyone to beat any of my times.
Edit: Up to level 10. Saved 975 from level 9 and 292 from level 10. I'm going to really enjoy constructing a table of the comparisons between my run and Mysterypea's, though I'm sure my TAS's optimality will be questioned in time as well.
Edit 2: Up to Level 12. Improved Level 11 by 520 frames and Level 12 by 200 frames.
Edit 3: Up to Level 15 (Again, Microstorage issues). Saved 932 from level 13, 144 from level 14, and 396 from level 15. As I'm 1/4 the way through, I'll be uploading a dump on YouTube shortly.
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Sonikkustar wrote:
Brandon wrote:
Level 3. For some reason, Mysterypea unnecessarily stalled in several places. Why is this?
I think the more appropriate question is, Why is the rerecord count 666?
I am an absolute perfectionist; When I collect a carrot, I will find the exact frame to turn around in order to potentially save time. I have a feeling, at this point, though, that this doesn't make a difference with these game physics. If someone confirms this, I'll probably speed through this more and use less rerecords. The 666 is just mere chance.
Edit: I just tried to insert some frames in between levels, and it doesn't change anything. I think that I just somehow manipulated the AI differently than Mysterypea, often not intentionally. One factor to consider is what direction you are pressing when you are going up the stairs. I once went up the stairs pressing right and pressing left, and they resulted in the Sylvester moving in a different direction. This has two conclusions: I can edit fixes into particular levels, and I should always try to manipulate the AI before prematurely halting movement. Will continue on shortly.
Edit 2: Up to Level 7. I am positive now that the enemies move based on input, not on result. Does anyone think they can somehow look into their physics? Don't get me wrong, I think this will make a great blueprint for this game as it stands, but levels 2, 5, and 7 use paths that would not be optimal if you removed the enemies from the screen. If I can truly manipulate the movement of these enemies, it'd stand to reason that all three of those levels, and presumably many levels in the future, can be improved. Let me know if you have any ideas.
Edit 3: OK, now this is getting ridiculous: I can influence AI after dying. That's just silly. I'm going to go back to Level 2 and try to make it so that I never once stall. I'll repeat this for 5 and 7, and hopefully, I'll get a result. It'd be best to understand the AI, but it seems like brute forcing might be the only option.
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Thanks, Randil! So, I discussed with Mysterypea, and he agreed that I should only add him as a coauthor if he gives significant contributions to the new version. Otherwise, I will just credit him in the submission. My strategy right now is to run each level using his path (If the AI don't conflict because of a desync), then try to beat that time. I tried doing this for level 1 and failed because the path is perfect. However, I made a massive improvement of 71 frames to Level 2! See my progress here. Only 58 more levels to go...
EDIT: Level 3. For some reason, Mysterypea unnecessarily stalled in several places. Why is this? Was it a simple mistake, or do the AIs run on a variable that carries over from level to level? Would adding empty frames in between levels cause a desync? This could be a big deal, as it'd mean that I can't go back and edit levels easily. Will test around soon. Any feedback would be helpful.
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No matter what I do, I can never find the threads for these games. Oh well. Can a mod merge these topics? Also, if Mysterypea would allow, I'd happily continue his progress, submit it, and get bottom billing. Why reinvent the wheel? I'm going to watch it now and see if I see any potential improvements.
Edit: I'm discussing with Mysterypea the fate of this. I'm probably going to work on my own version first and see if I can find any improvements. I finished Level 1 with ease with the same path. Also, Randil, can you provide that script you made? The link is broken in the old topic.
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So, I wanted to do a TAS of Bugs Bunny: Crazy Castle 3, but I realized that this would be very annoying to watch because you need to enter so many unnecessary doors. Furthermore, after TASing the first 3 levels, I realized that this wouldn't be very fun. A such, I think I'll give the NES version a shot. Screw what the AVGN says; if Birthday Blowout made for a good TAS, then this should too. It might also give me the opportunity to try some luck manipulation on the movements of the enemies. What do you think?
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sgrunt wrote:
<mmbossman> you know the AMA is restricting sale of Viagra to lawyers, right?
<DarkKobold> Really?
<mmbossman> it just makes them taller ;)
<DarkKobold> hahaha
<DarkKobold> I see your joke, and raise you a lightbulb question:
<DarkKobold> How many hipsters does it take to change a lightbulb?
<DarkKobold> It's an obscure number, you've probably never heard it.
I like the real version better:
<DarkKobold> How many hipsters does it take to change a lightbulb?
<BrandonE> because 7 8 9
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caiophilipe wrote:
Mickey Mousecapade requires a reset to manipulate the enemies on the first room. Is it possible to do it with the bot?
I will try to sync Battletoads, but I can't promise anything.
I can do a reset manually, but I'd prefer to avoid it if possible. Can't you just add a certain amount of frames to recreate that memory state?
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MisterEpic, can you do Silent Scope? NitroGenesis is obviously not around, and this is high priority as the only current movie without a YouTube stream.
I'll make the torrent and publish tonight. But seriously, NitrogGenesis, if you're going to claim, please get the stuff done, correctly, and quickly. I'm willing to overlook the slightly sub-par subtitle placement, but I know you can do better.
Thoughts?