Bowling

TAS Notes

• MarioAtWork recently submitted a TAS of this game using Game 1. In that mode, the ball's curve can be initiated after throwing it, but that's all the more ball control allowed.
• This got me wondering how much difference could be achieved by using Game 3, in which the ball can be controlled continuously throughout the throw (even after first impacting pins).
  • Being able to completely control the ball after throwing allows for earlier throws on nearly all frames compared to Game 1, as no player movement is necessary for any of the first 11 throws.
  • For the final throw, a slight player movement and RNG manipulation via delayed throw allowed for a savings of 8 95 frames (compared to throwing immediately) by requiring less eliminating the need for ball control after the throw. This resulted in earlier end-of-input for the TAS.
• FWIW, this submission saves 268 355 frames over the Game 1 mode.
• I'm not going to update the encode as it only minimally changes the final throw

Comparing this submission (Game 3) to a Game 1 TAS

• I feel that the differences of ball controll makes these two modes rather different TASing challenges. As such, I feel both could stand along side each other as separate branches from a publication standpoint.
• Theoretically, a third branch for a Game 5 mode could also be possible. In that mode, the ball only travels straight down the lane. I do not even know if it's possible to get a 300 score game in this mode....but I'll be exploring the possibility. If so, I'd argue that run could be submitted as a 3rd branch option. It's possible to get a 300 score in Game 5, I'll be submitting a run of that mode also.
  • In the event that it's not possible to attain a 300 game with straight-only throws, a max score challenge/opportunity for that game mode would arise with publications potentially being obsoleted by a run with a higher end-game score.

UPDATE: