So I'm going to be doing some testing on this over the next few days to see how it feels in comparison to console game play to see if this is viable to have on the boards. No clue why it was set as banned in the first place, but it's definitely worth looking into.

I'll be using this thread for my notes.

As it stands, it seems as if emulation runs faster than console. I feel like it's slightly faster in dungeons and in any animated cutscene (alta, opening chests).

Can also be noted here that running above full speed has been noted before: http://forums.pcsx2.net/Thread-Dark-Cloud-SCUS-97111-U--30219

After setting PCSX2 to use vsync, the frame rate started to level out a bit closer towards that of standard NTSC 59.94, jumping around 59.91-60.01 rather than the extraneous 59.91-60.09. This can also dip down quite low depending on how laggy a specific area is (usually cutscenes).

I also did some basic timings on opening alta/chests.

opening chest (emu) ~3.04
opening alta (emu) ~4.87

opening chest (console) ~3.21
opening alta (console) ~4.97

They're pretty well within the range of each other which is a good thing.

How much research would it take to get emu runs approved for this game?  Still kinda new to speedrunning in general, and I don't have too many means to acquire a PS2 at the moment.

The biggest thing preventing me from putting in the ability for emu runs to be viable is the fact that PS2 emulation is extremely variable based on hardware. One set of settings that works for someone may not work for another person, and unless there are uniform settings, stability, frame rates, and the works; then it just isn't currently worth doing it.

I've considered putting up EMU specific leaderboards as well, but this doesn't really solve that issue either.

Runs on PCSX2

Scapegoat02

Dark Cloud

PlayStation 2

Sonickrazy

Z3thros

WordofWind

USA / NTSC

Any%

Town%

Any% Glitchless

100%

100% Glitchless

True 100% Glitchless

Any% No Warping

Console

Emulator

Console or Emu

PlayStation 4

PlayStation 5

Ps5 allowed?

Allow pausing of the timer for restroom breaks?

Changes to Any% NCW (No Credits Warp)

Proposal to add a new rule to Any% NCW based on a newly found strat.

Updating Town% Name/Definition - Poll

PS4 Version

Cordellium

AlexGoesFast

PeteDorr

MikeZorD

Glitchedd