Topic by GuanoBowl

Posted: 4/5/2006 5:13 AM

Quote

GuanoBowl

Former player

Joined: 7/4/2005
Posts: 714
Location: Albuqueruqe, New Mexico

Im doing decent in a time attack on 2 player. Hopefully it will be done by the end of the week.. Thank you Hero for the tip. Ill be sure to give it a whirl.

Change my sig. again, and I will murder your pet fish.

Posted: 4/5/2006 3:29 PM

Quote

hero_of_the_day

Player (88)

Joined: 11/14/2005
Posts: 1057
Location: United States

Good luck GuanoBowl, I can't wait to see the results. I was wondering if you knew that there was a recent contra 2 player submission with a time of 9:54, how much do you think you will improve that one by?

They're off to find the hero of the day...

Posted: 4/5/2006 9:36 PM

Quote

GuanoBowl

Former player

Joined: 7/4/2005
Posts: 714
Location: Albuqueruqe, New Mexico

Im using spread full time in the run because every new thing that pops up lags the game with 2 players. So destroying a lot of things that will lag my game will help. Im thinking that my run with be close, perhaps a few seconds better than the 1 player best run.

Change my sig. again, and I will murder your pet fish.

Posted: 4/5/2006 10:10 PM

Quote

GuanoBowl

Former player

Joined: 7/4/2005
Posts: 714
Location: Albuqueruqe, New Mexico

hey hero, would you like to help me out with base 2? I finished base 1 decently but still cannot figure out the rapid fire. Im tryin to do it by frames and maybe its just my timing. Here is a link to my run so far. http://dehacked.2y.net/microstorage.php/info/955/Contra%20%28KC%29.fcm

Change my sig. again, and I will murder your pet fish.

Posted: 4/6/2006 1:04 AM

Quote

hero_of_the_day

Player (88)

Joined: 11/14/2005
Posts: 1057
Location: United States

your run looks pretty good right now. it looks like you sorta achieved the concetration bug for player 2 in the first base, but the timing like you said was slightly off. I suggest that you download and use luke's new fceu improvement for recording. You can get that in the fceu section of this forum. It allows you to choose the autofire pattern; I set the pattern to (1on,3off). This allows you to space out your shots and create a more steady flow of bullets. I have played the first room of the second base for you. you can maintain the rapid fire by pressing the B button every fourth frame. here is what I came up with: http://dehacked.2y.net/microstorage.php/info/956/Contra%20%28KC%29%20spread%20bug.fcm On a side note remember that every time you jump in a side scrolling level, you lose 1 frame. Only jump when it is necessary. Also I would like to say that this is the first time I have ever seen someone get both characters across the bridge in the intro stage without slowing down, which is awsome. I noticed you are using the Konami Classic version of the rom, I used the (U) version and didn't get any desyncs so I guess it doesnt matter. Great job so far!

They're off to find the hero of the day...

Posted: 4/9/2006 4:25 AM

Quote

GuanoBowl

Former player

Joined: 7/4/2005
Posts: 714
Location: Albuqueruqe, New Mexico

Ive found a better way with the Autofire. With 2 players firing, the amount of bullets come out depends on when each of the players shoot their bullets. So I think that in the bases, 2 on 1 off and 3 frames is the best way to deal with it since you cant have a constant flow(im guessing) of bullets.

Change my sig. again, and I will murder your pet fish.

Posted: 4/11/2006 2:28 AM

Quote

GuanoBowl

Former player

Joined: 7/4/2005
Posts: 714
Location: Albuqueruqe, New Mexico

I cannot figure out on lvl 5 how to stop the tank from moving. Im watching Genisto's video and cannot figure out how he is stopping the tank from moving so he can fire at it sooner. If someone could help me, please, I would appreciate it.

Change my sig. again, and I will murder your pet fish.

Posted: 4/11/2006 4:15 AM

Quote

tmont

Player (51)

Joined: 10/6/2005
Posts: 138
Location: Oregon

Well, where the tank stops is dependent on how far you scroll the screen to the right. So, if Genisto stopped the tank chronologically earlier, I don't know. But you might try experimenting with how far you scroll the screen, and maybe that will make the tank stop at different times. When I did my run for SDA, I always ran to the same spot (I used one of the lines on the ground as a marker) and turned around. That way, I was always sure that the tank would stop in the exact same place every time.

Posted: 4/11/2006 4:58 AM

Quote

CoolBumpty

Joined: 12/12/2004
Posts: 158

It could also be the fact that 1p vs 2p could change the way the screen scrolls and where the tank ends up. Or even a FCEU vs Famtasia difference, though I'd doubt that one.

Posted: 4/11/2006 11:20 AM

Quote

frezy_man

Joined: 4/13/2005
Posts: 20
Location: Sweden

I and a friend working on a probotector speedrun. Not a tool assistent one. This run should be faster. I think that there is not more enemies in a 2 player run. I also think the bosses hae the same health. From first stage to the spread weapon in snow field (stage 5) one of us use Laser and seems like its faster. But maybe its another story in a TAS.

YEAH...

Posted: 4/12/2006 1:26 AM

Quote

GuanoBowl

Former player

Joined: 7/4/2005
Posts: 714
Location: Albuqueruqe, New Mexico

ahh, its how far the screen will scroll. when playing 1 player, the guy will be in the middle of the screen at almost all times. with 2 players, they advance a little further in the screen rather than 1 player alone

Change my sig. again, and I will murder your pet fish.

Posted: 4/14/2006 1:01 AM

Quote

GuanoBowl

Former player

Joined: 7/4/2005
Posts: 714
Location: Albuqueruqe, New Mexico

It seems like my run should be a lot faster in comparison but I dont know. Someone tell me where improvements can be accomplished at. http://dehacked.2y.net/microstorage.php/info/1005/Contra%20%28KC%29.fcm

Change my sig. again, and I will murder your pet fish.

Posted: 4/14/2006 5:03 AM

Quote

tmont

Player (51)

Joined: 10/6/2005
Posts: 138
Location: Oregon

GuanoBowl wrote:

It seems like my run should be a lot faster in comparison but I dont know. Someone tell me where improvements can be accomplished at.

Looks good. Energy Zone was particularly good (very little waiting). The only thing I noticed was it looked like you missed a platform in Waterfall when getting Rapid Fire. But I'm not very good at critiquing these runs at a frame-precision level.

Posted: 8/24/2006 12:46 AM

Post subject: Obsoleting the 2p AND 1p runs

Quote

adelikat

He/Him

Emulator Coder, Site Developer, Site Owner, Expert player (3601)

Joined: 11/3/2004
Posts: 4739
Location: Tennessee

I have been working on an improved 1p contra run: http://dehacked.2y.net/microstorage.php/info/1710/Gryzor%20%28J%29%201player.fcm This wip beats the first boss at the same frame as blubu's wip posted in the famtasia improvements forum but 1 frame slower than hero of the day's wip. I was slower due to bad luck with the with one of the bullets. Mainpulating it would have cost 1 frame so this was the best I could do. Also, I got both R upgrades wich greatly affected my strategy compared to his. (I am running it on the Gryzor (J) run. The game is the same except for less waiting between levels and cooler backgrounds. All comparisons are measured WITHOUT the time saved between levels) In the process, I am noticing that a 2p run would certainly be faster so I gave it a try: http://dehacked.2y.net/microstorage.php/info/1709/Gryzor%20%28J%29%202p%20lv1done%203945.fcm This wip is only 6 frames slower than my 1p wip! (this makes it 21 frames faster than architorure's accepted submission) most of these frames were from some extra jumps due to having 2-players. The 2-players will save a LOT of time in level 2. I believe I can make a 2-player run that is FASTER than the 1-player run. If it turns out faster, should it obsolete the 1-player run? What do you guys think? If not then I guess I can do the 1p run as well.

It's hard to look this good. My TAS projects

Posted: 8/24/2006 12:51 AM

Quote

JXQ

Experienced player (750)

Joined: 5/6/2005
Posts: 3132

If 2-player is faster than 1-player, I think it should obsolete the 1-player run. That's all I have to say about that.

<Swordless> Go hug a tree, you vegetarian (I bet you really are one)

Posted: 8/24/2006 1:04 AM

Quote

moozooh

Senior Moderator

Joined: 8/4/2005
Posts: 5772
Location: Away

If making both 1p and 2p runs, they should differ in some way, I think. If not, the one that is better (faster) should obsolete the other(s).

Warp wrote:

Edit: I think I understand now: It's my avatar, isn't it? It makes me look angry.

Posted: 8/24/2006 1:24 AM

Quote

hero_of_the_day

Player (88)

Joined: 11/14/2005
Posts: 1057
Location: United States

This is great news adelikat, this game severely needed a new FCE Ultra run. Unlike JXQ, I have a lot to say about this. The 2 player run should obsolete the 1 player run if it is faster. There is no doubt that the two player run is more impressive looking due to increased action on the screen. Synchronizations between the two players are also very cool to see. Now for example, say someone was to complete Contra 3 for the snes using one player but it was slower than the existing Contra 3 two player run, would it be published? Think about it. About using the Japanese rom, I am mostly for it. The graphical upgrades are very noticeable and the decreased cut scene times help keep the momentum of the movie up. The downside is that most roms used on this site are (U), I don’t think changing a game to the (J) version for speed alone is a good enough reason. And by the way is the Japanese title screen shorter than the American? Finally I found a way to improve my level one time by 4 frames. 4 frames are a lot when you consider how close to perfection the level has been completed in. To do this you must put your character on the small ledge right next to the level 1 boss. Put him within 1 frame of falling off the ledge. The frame before you lose control of your character, press right. The character will fall and then jump right inside of the building. This saves an incredible 4 frames. Movie can be found here: http://dehacked.2y.net/microstorage.php/info/1711/Contra%20%28U%29%20%5B%21%5D%282%29.fcm Oh and I don’t think picking up more than 1 Rapid fire upgrade does anything. You should test this first, since it looks sloppy to collect something that does not do anything for you.

They're off to find the hero of the day...

Posted: 8/24/2006 1:31 AM

Quote

Bag_of_Magic_Food

He/Him

Active player (278)

Joined: 5/29/2004
Posts: 5712

You want someone to count the number of pixels a bullet passes in one frame?

put yourself in my rocketpack if that poochie is one outrageous dude

Posted: 8/24/2006 1:32 AM

Quote

hero_of_the_day

Player (88)

Joined: 11/14/2005
Posts: 1057
Location: United States

you got it, :)

They're off to find the hero of the day...

Posted: 8/24/2006 1:33 AM

Quote

adelikat

He/Him

Emulator Coder, Site Developer, Site Owner, Expert player (3601)

Joined: 11/3/2004
Posts: 4739
Location: Tennessee

cool trick hero, though it doesn't appear any different (from your description, I thought you would fall onto the plaform which would look very cool). It will be harder to pull this off in my 2p run though, but I will try to make it happen. The gryzor rom is faster because it has cut scenes intead of the black screen displaying your score,lives etc. This cut scene can be skipped completely which gets you to the level much sooner. The difference is about 3 seconds between each level. The use of the gryzor rom, isn't exactly for it to be faster (but its a nice bonus). Like you said, less black screen and more action. And of course the cooler looking backgrounds. There is precedent for this move as well: smb3 & mm3 for example. EDIT: yes R updgrades do work. They make your bullet travel faster. each player can have up to 2 upgrades. In my 2p wip, I gave both upgrades to the 2nd player so there will some planning involved in getting two more for player 1.

It's hard to look this good. My TAS projects

Posted: 8/24/2006 1:45 AM

Quote

hero_of_the_day

Player (88)

Joined: 11/14/2005
Posts: 1057
Location: United States

Ah, so you can have more than 1 upgrade, that’s good to know. You make a good point about smb3 and mm3, and I fully agree with your decision to use this rom. Anyways, good luck with this run adelikat! I know this game is in good hands.

They're off to find the hero of the day...

Posted: 9/2/2006 2:16 AM

Quote

adelikat

He/Him

Emulator Coder, Site Developer, Site Owner, Expert player (3601)

Joined: 11/3/2004
Posts: 4739
Location: Tennessee

here is my new wip. After much testing, I have concluded that 2 players with spread guns is suboptimal due to lag & the fact that each players bullets interfere with each others. My best choice is 1 player with the regular gun and 1 with the spread. This meant redoing lv 1 unfortunately. Hero of the day found a way to start the game 3 frames earlier which I incorporated. 2nd, I got a rapid fire for each player this time. Finally I beat the first level boss 4 frames earlier with the new weapon strategy. Also, as evidenced in the wip, I figured out how to get the single line of bullets with the spread gun. As of the destruction of the first room in lv 2, I am 15 frames ahead of genisto's run. enjoy.

It's hard to look this good. My TAS projects

Posted: 9/2/2006 5:01 AM

Quote

hero_of_the_day

Player (88)

Joined: 11/14/2005
Posts: 1057
Location: United States

Very nice work adelikat! You managed to improve your level one boss time, and you got the tricky spread gun working. I am surprised that the concentration bug worked with just a single rapid fire upgrade. Remember that you will need to pick up a spread gun for player 2 eventually in order to defeat the level 3 boss efficiently. I wonder if the second base will lag like the first one, since dual spread guns are a must for that level. Only mistake I noticed was that player 1 jumped one time too many during the first exploding bridge which cost you a single frame, not that 1 frame really matters anyways.

They're off to find the hero of the day...

Posted: 9/2/2006 12:24 PM

Quote