To clarify, my understanding was not that emulated FDS was the reason Duck ran faster, but that the emulation itself was faster. I was going to ask if there's been any testing since 2021 (Duckstation has had some significant updates since then), and (from the looks of the comparison sheet at the top of this thread) it looks like there has been some just in the last week. I'd be fascinated to see what conclusions are drawn from this! (Though I have to say comparisons aren't easy to make with the X and Y axes flipped as they are and with Duckstation segregated to a separate sheet in the file altogether. Also tough since there's not really any PS1 comparisons, or PS2 with FDS off.)

Just occurred to me submission overload really won't be that big a deal? Since it's IGT, verifier won't need to retime, just verify there wasn't cheating used for the highest-level runs, and even that should be relatively quick with ILs.

As for laps: whether we go with (3-only), (7-only), or (3 and 7), 5 probably isn't worth including just because it's probably not going to see many submissions and only take away from the other two.

Additionally, the idea of Bosses and CTR Tokens (including Crystal Challenges) have been brought up in the CrashSR/CTRTT Discords. Easy solution, add a variable. Easy/Medium/Hard/Trophy/Token/Boss. More options means more interesting variants in runs, and if it turns out in the future that any of those modes are problematic for the meta, having those variables will make for easy board-splitting if necessary.

(FWIW, I'm also willing to volunteer as a verifier for this.)

Does what it says on the tin. Gives SRcom an Individual Level category that doesn't tread on ctr4ever's time trial turf, and a shorter category that CTR desperately needs (any% barely counts imo). A few suggestions (based on convos in the Crash Speedrunning server:

• Uses IGT, so no need for hard platform separation, just platform variables
• Include variables for Easy/Medium/Hard, since each would have different strategies
• Include variable (not category split, just a variable) for NMG/Skipless, filterable means a lower barrier to entry for those intimidated by skips like Tizi/TA, but still keeps everyone competitive on one big unified board

Question that deserves consideration: how many laps? 3, 5, 7, or all?

3 laps:

• Pro: Could mean IGT from ILs in Adventure mode could be incorporated (using "Adventure" for the difficulty variable), which could lead to a great kickstart for submissions. (This could work out a bit like Spyro Flight ILs done mid-run, or MK8Dx where you can do a 16/32/48-track run in the middle of a 96-track run - got a good level in an Adventure category? May as well submit it to ILs too.)
• Con: Low barrier to entry could cause submission overload.

5 laps:

• Middle child, imo.

7 laps:

• Pro: Good test of consistency
• Pro: Higher barrier to entry, so fewer concerns about submission overload
• Con: Higher barrier to entry, so boards could get quiet

Category split for 3/5/7 laps:

• Pro: Low barrier to entry
• Pro: All the pros of 3 and 7 and flexibility of 5 laps
• Con: Potential for submission overload
• Con: Even if submission overload is manageable, not having a unified board could mean things look quiet for a while

Credit to Galaxian for bringing this idea up in the CB-running Discord. I think this would be a great category with a little more refining. Thoughts?

Just realized the 10sec shave from 18 tracks would be 180sec, or 3min. 3min off%? 3min save%?

(I'm ambivalent on the category itself, the names just came to me)

Have considered running this but not sure if ePSXe 2.0.5 would be valid as 2.0 is (there is no 2.0 or earlier version for Mac).

Also agreeing with the idea of opening up to Mednafen, whose core is also used in OpenEmu for Mac.

Duckstation also looks viable, there's been plenty of conversation surrounding that in the Spyro/Crash boards if you need to see some inspiration.