Sorry for the bump, but I could either bump this, the run's topic itself, or bump the topic about the game. I got around to seeing the run again (after all this time), and I noticed there is an improvement that can be made. In the beginning of the space port, you throw Stix and let him be zapped. And then you stand there for 3 seconds (while Stix is being zapped), and after that you run off. You could just get close to the checkpoint, turn to the left, throw Stix, and pass through. Stix would still try to follow you and would get electrocuted, but at least you wouldn't have to wait for him.
And I don't know where my head was when I previously commented that you were too static at times; you clearly moved around a bit, half the time you needed to wait. I still think you could try some dangerous dodging with the boss though, instead of crouching and spazzing left and right.
Also, why did you take down the green/blue aliens on the water level, right before the part where you need to cycle through several mouth schemes and guide the ball to a hole? (This makes so little sense without context)
I'm Espyo from the SRB2 Forums.
Current project: A Pikmin fan engine, Pikifen
Well, deep down, reverse-engineering is really "wrong" because others may figure out how parts of the game work and use it to their own profit. This is probably the simplest definition of reverse-engineering. Whether this is wrong or ok is up to a person's morality. Although robbing hard work from the original creators in order to copy it and profit yourself is a low blow, and I doubt anyone who is minimally civil would approve of that.
So, should the TAS community reverse-engineer games? Yes. Let's face it, we're talking about reverse-engineering games from the SNES and Genesis era. Even if someone reverse-engineers it to make profit out of it, it's... not really a big deal.
Besides, I don't think some companies care that much. For instance, Sonic Genesis for the GBA was a... *ahem*, let me say it calmly. That game was horrible. The fans were even able to make an awesome port for the GBA, just to demonstrate that it can be done. This just shows how much Sonic Team cares about the classic's source-code. Pfft.
But the thing is... we're not reverse-engineering to our own profit. We're doing it to provide entertainment, free of charge, in a way that won't harm the profit of the original creators. Heck, I'd even a TAS of Sonic 3 & Knuckles could be a way to get someone interested in such a game (kinda). If one of the games I made ever got reverse-engineered, I'd be pissed, but if it were for the good of entertainment, without damaging profit or disrespecting my hard work, I'd love it and approve of it. The law, however, is more focused on punishing people without caring too much...
But in the end, I think the TAS community won't get into trouble for reverse-engineering games to find out shortcuts and such.
I'm Espyo from the SRB2 Forums.
Current project: A Pikmin fan engine, Pikifen
Yes, I suspected that this topic had been discussed in the past. But... what was the consensus? If no agreement was ever reached, maybe we'd need to figure this through again? I wasn't present for the original discussion, but I imagine it must've been hellish. Repeating it would be harsh, but sorta necessary...
In fact, as of now, what does happen when someone submits a run that uses save corruption? Do the judges just take the game and other factors into count, is another debate brought up, are they refused on sight, ...?
I'm Espyo from the SRB2 Forums.
Current project: A Pikmin fan engine, Pikifen
^
That's right, he didn't. He just asked for the 1-up trick, which is indeed possible in this game.
Well, I suppose this topic will now move towards SPM general TAS discussion.
I'm Espyo from the SRB2 Forums.
Current project: A Pikmin fan engine, Pikifen
Well, save corruption can still result in very interesting videos. Of course, playing through the game without abusing it is also entertaining (possibly). I don't see why save corruption is so hated. It makes short and interesting videos, and doesn't waste much time on the author's part, by default. Considering it as a different category would be for the best.
Now, I'm still curious as to how the corruption actually happens. Is there no place that explains exactly how games save which data at which moment, and how reseting at that time will mess the rest, and such?
I'm Espyo from the SRB2 Forums.
Current project: A Pikmin fan engine, Pikifen
Well, let's see if the old imagination is up and running...
How about...
"Perfect Win"? It reflects how TASes try to complete games perfectly, and Win, as in short for Windows (worst fitting abbreviation ever, if I may). Can also reflect perfect victories of sort...
"Wreaker" (W[indows game b]reaker)?
"WindART" (Windows Attractive Run Tool)?
Well, whichever name we choose, I'd like to make a vectorial logo for it. If anyone wants to check out how my logos usually end up (i.e. if I suck at it), here's the logo I made for PK Rhythm:
I'm Espyo from the SRB2 Forums.
Current project: A Pikmin fan engine, Pikifen
Wow. I'm scared now. And above that, I'm brutally anxious. An 8-day Pikmin TAS would be the highlight of the entire week. A TAS of a 7-day run, or a regular speedrun, but with 8-days would be probably make my entire month.
I'm Espyo from the SRB2 Forums.
Current project: A Pikmin fan engine, Pikifen
It doesn't seem possible. The thing is that, in total game time, it can certainly be reduced. But, with the ways days are made, it's really hard to lower it. Unless there's a TAS exclusive trick that makes completing certain areas in a single day, Pikmin can't be completed in less than 9 days.
I'm Espyo from the SRB2 Forums.
Current project: A Pikmin fan engine, Pikifen
Well, this sure is a huge bump, but what's to be expected, after the HD encode popped up, reminding the world of such an entertaining TAS?
Marco, almost every one who watched it loved it, but are puzzled. According to what's been written previously, there was just trouble with the translations. I don't mind translating all the details, if you still remember them. I'm pretty sure everyone wants to know how several things happened.
I'm Espyo from the SRB2 Forums.
Current project: A Pikmin fan engine, Pikifen
Oh lord... My head a-splode. I never realized that, in a world map, crossing the top edge wouldn't get you to the bottom one. Or I just never thought about it.
Though I have to say that, atm, I can't recall any JRPG that works like that.
I'm Espyo from the SRB2 Forums.
Current project: A Pikmin fan engine, Pikifen
Wow, thanks Antoids (not sarcastic). But you didn't need to go through the trouble of encoding a WIP.
Yes, the game IS really boring. Unless you play it with a friend, this game isn't enough to get you hooked. However, for those who played it and know how it works, some of the stuff in the run are interesting.
Well, better get started on the final version before I start getting bored again, and not feeling like doing anything.
I'm Espyo from the SRB2 Forums.
Current project: A Pikmin fan engine, Pikifen
Well, I have to admit that I've been thinking...
I saw both the rules and guidelines pages, and guess what? My movie follows all aspects. And as a bonus, the "play around" category has been added recently (feel free to correct me) to the site. So...
I'm going to improve some things here and there, redo Bouncy Castle because the fact that it's slower than my WIP speed TAS is driving me nuts!
Here's what I think can be improved in each event:
Maybe press A or B lightly without moving from my spot, but make the bar move, before I finally go.
Not much that can be done here, really.
Make the second jump land exactly at 799.
-(Bonus ev.) Nothing
Make it as fast as possible, add more splats, and maybe even move around a lot more.
-(Bonus ev.) Maybe keep juggling until time is up. That may be boring, but I'm not sure.
Try to make it finish in 2:00:00... somehow...
Nothing.
Nothing.
Jump occasionally. Maybe make some jumps that looks like I'll just barely hop over the obstacle, but still hit it.
Well, the user feedback IS an important decider. But I guess I didn't quite consider submitting because of how underlooked this game is. I may be wrong about that, though.
I may submit it if I get good feedback from the YT video. And maybe after I improve event #4...
I'm Espyo from the SRB2 Forums.
Current project: A Pikmin fan engine, Pikifen
Ok. Finished the entertainment run. It's pretty neat if I can say so myself. I uploaded it on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCYIUbebd5g
I probably won't even consider submitting it to TASVideos because this is a Tool-Assisted Superplay, not a Tool-Assisted Speedrun.
I'm Espyo from the SRB2 Forums.
Current project: A Pikmin fan engine, Pikifen
Ok, so far I've completed event 4: Bouncy Castle. I like what's been done so far, but that's my opinion: I don't know if the viewers will find it as entertaining.
Now, there's just one thing that bugs the crap outta me. In my old, speed-oriented TAS, I did Bouncy Castle in... insert time here... And it was far from optimized. When making the entertainment-oriented TAS, I decided to be faster, because there's nothing more entertaining than going fast in this event. Turns out that, with better optimization, I get a slower time. -_- I'll find out what the problem is shortly, but if I don't, it'll just be another life mystery.
I'm Espyo from the SRB2 Forums.
Current project: A Pikmin fan engine, Pikifen
Well, you did use your weapons smartly, like the line bombs and mines. That, along with some fast-paced action (kinda) makes a yes vote from me. True: the movie was 70% "shuriken" form, but when someone plays the game normally, it's 70% shuriken as well, so no complaints.
I'm Espyo from the SRB2 Forums.
Current project: A Pikmin fan engine, Pikifen
Hmmm... Actually, you had me thinking, Truncated. I was searching for ways to make a fast run (i.e. completing as fast as possible), but actually, I realized that, seeing as the movie probably won't be published in the first place, I might as well put the idea of speeding aside, and focus on making it entertaining. I have to admit, when you said that a million balls juggled would be cool, I sort of mouth watered.
Ok, that being said, I guess I'll try to make a really awesome run, without focusing on speed. Besides, most of us (people who played Aquatic Games) don't even know what happens if you touch the sombrero guys at the third event.
I'm Espyo from the SRB2 Forums.
Current project: A Pikmin fan engine, Pikifen
About the bad game choice, I think I have to disagree.
Wait, did I actually say that? I agree that it's not the best choice out there. However, people who have played the game might actually demonstrate some interest in seeing James [Pond] running at ludicrous speed in the first event, as well as the rest of the events. This is one of those games in which the only replay value is retrying the games to perform better each time. Thus, seeing a TAS of it causes a different reaction (something along the lines of rage, because we see the TAS performing better than the player can).
Anyway... I posted my WIP on YouTube, and now I'm in the mood to redo it. I've already redone the first event (redone, what? It's exactly the same thing), but as for the second event...
In my WIP, I was actually quite boring. Now I need some hints on what to do. A million things cross my mind, such as juggling several balls (without causing lag), trying to keep the seals awake for the longest amount of time possible, etc. Do you guys have other ideas?
I'm Espyo from the SRB2 Forums.
Current project: A Pikmin fan engine, Pikifen
I voted yes, but there were some parts where the run could be more entertaining. Parts where you need to stop and wait: do something! Most of the time you just stood there. At the final boss battle, when you need to dodge the final form's lasers, you do dance a little, but you could also try to do something dangerous, for instance.
It was a good watch nonetheless.
I'm Espyo from the SRB2 Forums.
Current project: A Pikmin fan engine, Pikifen
