So, I just noticed that my run was added here (which is fine).
However, I notice the rules state that timing starts when you hit "start game" on the car select screen, which is not how I timed my runs. I always waited until the screen where you can select the option "I know enough, onward to Omek Prime!"
This was done so runners could have a chance to decide whether they wanted to restart due to not getting the main objectives they were looking for (Some are much better/faster than others) without having to stop/restart their timer every single time.
In addition, stopping the timer was always done when the final dialog screen pops up after the final boss dies, rather than having to click through both dialog boxes before stopping it.
Anyone wanting to learn the game, go ahead and join the discord server.
As it reads now, it says "complete all 29 missions and finish with 100PT." This is incomplete.
The rules that have been in effect since Brootus' run was done are: Compete all 29 Maps. Obtain the World Ending. Recruit all special characters except Galf (since he conflicts with the World Ending).
The PT you see on the screen after the credits is simply what your reputation was when completing the game. While it has a bearing on what ending you get, it's not the only thing and can't be used to determine ending. The only thing that matters on that screen is Whether you get the World Card.
How the rules should read: "Timing starts when selecting new game, and ends upon the death of Diablo.
Complete all 29 maps, obtain the World Ending, and recruit all special characters except Galf (since Galf conflicts with the World Ending)"
The timing for this game starts when New Game is selected on the title screen, and ends on final boss death. The new Fireseal run doesn't start timing until they select their gender, which is ~15 seconds after selecting New Game.
Also note that the title screen isn't even shown in the video, so it'd be impossible to properly time unless he has the full video somewhere.
Edit: Just read the rules listed for this category. Not sure why this category uses a different start point. I don't see any reason to have this one category timed differently than the others.
I've been meaning to bring this up for a little bit, since I did some digging into GBA emulation. As of right now, there's no emulator that is 100% accurate for GBA. The closest I've found is VBA-Next, which is the core BizHawk uses. However, this still isn't 100% accurate, and runs a bit faster than console does. From what I can tell, it appears that it's load times which are the issue (that brief period when the screen is black during room transitions). Until we can get a bit more accuracy for GBA emulators, I propose that we go by IGT (for Julius only). During my tests, I found that the IGT stops during the period when the screen goes black between rooms. It actually made it pretty easy to figure out just how far off each emulator was. Basically, going by IGT would be accurate across both console and all emulators.
I don't propose this for Soma since the IGT also stops during menus, and suspends would then not count either. In Julius' case there's no menus or any suspend shenanigans to screw with things.