As announced a while ago, we'll add a layer of scrutiny for emulator submissions. Since most runners have already adopted using speedrun-specific functionality of BGB or Gambatte-Speedrun, nothing changes for those. If you have not familiarized yourself with that topic yet, feel free to ask in the SML2 Discord or contact me. We're happy to assist you with setting up.
Here is the updated rule text that is binding starting now:
This board is for SML2 only. SML2DX has its own board.
Avoid covering or cropping the game feed or parts of it! (For SGB/2 submissions, leaving or cropping the border is fine.) It is strongly advised to have game sound enabled and audible in the recording. Lack of audio can interfere with the verification process and may invalidate your submission.
Runs on the practice rom are not eligible for submission, including individual levels.
Switch Online: times do not need any conversion. The setting "Reproduce classic feel" introduces frame blending artifacts. It is discouraged to submit runs with this option enabled, since we'll default to clear frames (potentially to the runner's disadvantage) when timing. The rewind feature is not allowed.
SGB and 3DSVC: both platforms run the game too fast, so times are converted for the leaderboards.
Emulator submissions: please include which emulator you are using! Currently, the only allowed emulators are BGB and GSE (formerly Gambatte) on their latest versions. If neither of those options works for you, reach out in the SML2 Discord server!
For BGB, activate speedrun mode in the settings!
For GSE, either disable the status bar in the settings or, alternatively, include the status bar in the capture!
If using regular Gambatte, capture the entire emulator window!
Recordings must be continuous and include a reset, so the speedrun mode/version specific on-screen text is visible. Full game runs should start from such a reset, for easier moderation. IL runs can include the reset before or after the level.
Unless specified otherwise in the category rules, runs must start from a clean save (i.e., 5 lives, 0 kills, 0 coins, no stages completed).
If you have any questions, reach out to the community before you commit to recording runs!
We reserve the right to reject obvious joke submissions, such as runs that are clearly not speedruns. Please don't waste other people's time!
If you have any questions or remarks, please feel free to bring them up!
[post updated to reflect the current rule text, including Switch Online and alternative emulator phrasing. -Oh_DeeR]
[post updated to reflect the supersession of Gambatte(-Speedrun) by GSE - Oh_DeeR]
I know i have to use bgb or gambatte for speedruning the game, but how? As of my device, i use gbc.emu to make runs of some levels of the game, such as Mario zone 1 or Pumpkin 1, i think it's a bit unfair to deny gbc.emu for my runs, i wish it is allowed, and after i speedrun Mario zone 1 (not to be in 1st place), in the desc of my video i will show the original recording, including the fixed audio in real 60hz.
The purpose of limiting the options of emulators in the rules is to make the leaderboards an even playing field for everyone. "Known good" emulators make it easier for both runners and moderators to manage those leaderboards and make comparisons between different runners more meaningful. That is what "fair" means in a competitive context.
Now, of course we can't cover every single person's individual circumstances - but that doesn't mean that we won't at least try (see this part in the rule text: "If neither of those options works for you, reach out in the SML2 Discord server!")
Thus far, various emulators on Android have been found to be too inaccurate to be allowed on the leaderboards. (see https://kleemans.ch/static/gb-emulator-timing/ for reference.) GBC.emu has not been tested yet, but you could contact adrianus, who manages that database (information can be found on the linked website), and help with recording the relevant data. Just know that, based on the other testing, there's a good chance that it will turn out to be inaccurate as well!
As for your IL submissions, you still need to follow the category rules. It is clearly stated that none of the IL categories allow carry-over glitches (pipe glitch, pipe death glitch, etc.) which you were using in your submission.
@Caviar The reason why we are so strict on emulators, is because old gameboy games (especially SML2) are very lag-heavy. There are some stages were the lag adds up to 3 full seconds. It is very important to us that we only allow emulators who can mimic the exact same lag as the original consoles. Otherwise it would be unfair to all the other runners who are running the game on original consoles. We don't try to be mean, but we can't accept emulators that don't have the proof of the same outcome. We will always try to help find solutions, because we love people who speedrun SML2, so if you have any questions feel free to contact any of us here or on discord.
