Moving on to the Mednafen emulator stats. This version has been on my disk for many years: Doomday Edition 7A; 0.9.45.1.0.0.7a. Shell (GUI): Mednaffe NST 0.8.6.3. Doesn't match Miklouha's build, but it's hard to imagine that the fundamental functions of the Genesis core emulation are any different.

A few more introductory notes regarding the general configuration.

• In the "Resolution" section, the window mode scaling factor is set to 3.00 in X and Y, which results in video capture at 872x672 pixels. Therefore, YouTube projects are rendered at 1744x1344. The Kega Fusion window was recorded at 960x720, which gave more familiar proportions: 1920x1440.
• CPU overclocking multiplier is set to 1 (x1, no overclocking).
• I have a localized version, and the language in the emulator does not change. Although, I suppose, the translation of menu items is not essential here.
• Fusion and Mednafen support different savestate files, so it seems problematic to conduct verification on one seed.

Video 5. In the "Filters" tab, we alternately change the values to those specified by Miklouha. Top to bottom:

• (Bi)linear interpolation (0 everywhere)
• Stretch screen fill (0 / aspect)
• Special video scaler (hq4x / nny4x)
• OpenGL shader (0 everywhere)

The resulting image is not very synchronous; with an uneven, but stable difference of 1-3 frames until the end. Not such a mirror flow as Fusion. At 0:32, Larry can be heard in windows 2 and 3.

Video 6. To determine how strong the filter factor is, we compare three versions of the basic settings (0 / none). It has become better: only one frame of desynchronization is noticeable. We additionally compare it with the Normal mode of Fusion: there is a slight discrepancy in the soundtrack. The videos themselves at first “move away” and then synchronize, but after the fourth corner, due to the different physics of contact with the fence, the comparison of the two emulators can be considered incorrect.

Video 7. Finally, we look at what kind of OpenGL shader “sabr” is and how it “gets along” with filters, while comparing it with “none”. And... the same 3 frames of difference, which at a distance of “Rookie”, theoretically, can knock off 2-3 seconds. I also wanted to compare Fusion and Mednafen in another game, but, apparently, this is not necessary.

Now my opinion on all this.

• The statement "The author of this run uses a plugin that allows him to go faster" is slander. (Cheating in empty categories...) It feels like Miklouha has never opened Fusion, since he compared its "plugins" with Mednafen's filters, without providing his results. There is a difference, and apparently it may not only be a matter of “plugins”. There is no OpenGL mode setting in Fusion, not even in the .ini file. Well, or I'm blind...
• Fusion filters are just as "cheat" as the objective error of +/- two frames, caused not only by system performance, but also by the game itself. I will continue to play (or never again) as I am comfortable, unless there is a specific prohibit.
• I could consider that Mednafen runs should be performed with basic graphics settings, since, as it turned out, its filters process the image an 1-2 frames per minute faster/slower, but for this you need to conduct dozens of tests (and not one and a half minute ones, but full ones) to be sure of the advantage for sure. Probably, it is easier to implement this through TAS... Or, maybe, this is only on my system, and for others everything will be fine, and this "article" did not make sense.
• The video recording of the sent run should begin with a Hard reset.
• Comments from competent people who understand graphics rendering and the accuracy of emulation would not hurt on all of the above. After all, for some reason, emulators familiar to us are banned in certain communities...

Since @MuKJIyXaRRR addressed me personally in one of his recent speedrun, once again reproaching me for abusing some "plugins" - quote: "Если ты плагины использовал, то я тоже использую" ("If you've used plugins, then I'm using them too"), and the title of the thread primarily refers to me - I decided to conduct comparative tests of different image rendering modes, especially since he kindly indicated his settings.

It seems that the initiator of this tread was confused by two things in my speedrun "Rookie 47:20":

1. The word "plugin" in the clarification "Video render plugin: Quad / hq3x";
2. A difference of one frame with the PB-video in the corner of the screen, when the image appeared at the start of the first race (after all, before that the menu went out synchronously); and it just so happened that it was recorded with anti-aliasing hq3x, and the run itself was in pixel Quad.

But first - a few introductory:

• If someone interested in establishing the truth for some reason is not satisfied with the quality of the videos I provided, or the data seemed insufficiently comprehensive, informative and visual, he can conduct his own tests and publish them in this thread.
• The position of the objects on the first race is formed when choosing the difficulty level or entering the password and does not change after, even if you go through the store and menu items for a long time. This is convenient for testing different settings on one seed of the track using a single savestate. And for this reason, it is so important to start any speedrun with a hard reset of the console, because there is an opportunity to "sneak a peek".
• All tests were conducted on VS. Mode, Rookie.
• After loading the save, I held down the accelerator button and held only it alone until crossing the finish line.
• The YouTube player allows you to step through the video frame by frame using the “<” and “>” keys.

First: what did I mean by the term “plugin” back then in the descriptions of my runs. This is a direct extract from the settings of the Kega Fusion 3.64 emulator; regular (anti-aliasing and not so much) graphic filters, which are defined in the “Render plugin” option in the “Video” tab; interpolation filter files have the .rpi extension (in case this is important). They are not included in the “delivery kit” by default, but their presence is provided; some emulators include such filters initially. I downloaded a Russified version of Fusion from a now defunct site, which already had filters; I did all Sega speedruns only on this build. Since the rules do not limit anti-aliasing or prohibit certain filters, it would be strange to reproach for this, and this is not the point at all. At that time, I was running Beyond Oasis and Comix Zone with identical graphics settings, and the communities of those games were moderated by smart people, including those who were well acquainted with the Mednafen emulator - zero complaints and questions for me.

Video 1. Kega Fusion. Compare the effect of the graphic filters that I enabled then (Quad and hq3x), and two variations of the Normal mode - with and without vertical sync. As a result, we get almost mirror images - only the one without VSync lags by one frame by the end of the race.

Video 2. Everything is the same, plus a number of aspects that are almost always active for me are additionally enabled. The sound is played in all windows. The images are synchronous; abnormally "go faster" is not observed again.

Second: where did one frame "go"? Along with an elementary error in coding, including due to the possible disabled VSync, in RRR there is a different loading speed of dissimilar tracks. A trifle. But exactly one frame difference. Maybe more.

Video 3. Four races with different seed were generated. Sound is on in windows 1 and 2, which at one point starts to diverge due to Larry's changing lines. With the same graphics settings, windows 2 and 3 appear one frame earlier. Or... others... later? Is the glass half empty or half full?

Video 4. Finishing up with Kega Fusion. There are a number of other settings in the "Options" tab, the purpose of which is not entirely clear to me. Before this, everything except the indicator was turned off.

• Window 1 plays my PB "47:20", without sound.
• The image in window 2 "jumps" sometimes earlier, sometimes later. I think "Perfect Sync" behaves unstable in practice and should be kept off.
• At 0:32 seconds in window 3 (lower left) Larry says a line that is not in the other two.

Two categories of "Full game" have been added, the presence of which was initially suggested, based on the original version on the Amiga. Moreover, mission 13, and the overall decline in difficulty after mission 12, looks like the beginning of a new/different game. The run in the "Mission 13-24" category must begin with the LRYFA password (all passwords are given in the level rules).

There is also a separate discipline (Levels) for running each of the missions separately. But for several years, the sections in it are still empty, which indicates the general unpopularity of the game. There was some activity in the Amiga version, but there is no special progress beyond the third mission. The runs there last from one to several minutes, but there are still very few people who want to.

I'll say for myself that after playing with the mouse in the Amiga and SNES versions, I don't want to come back here yet :)

Regarding "Void%". At the Richi docks (22'0" 5'2") you can get a guaranteed message that "Void has found your party": you need to switch places with the girl, and then turn back. Although, as it seems to me, the usual softlock is disguised in this way.

It took me 68 seconds to do this – with a teleport. So I don't know if it makes any sense, because everything is linear. In general, fan-categories are allowed and are common, but they are added when the main ones are already bored or have become very complex. Short categories are also allowed: there are examples where the time is one second or less.

I will add "Any% No Teleport" when another run using it is presented (the rules now specify how to use it), maybe it will be me. Or any other for any time. Up to this point, the visibility of competition remains in the leaderboard, which can motivate potential players to connect. Moreover, with the new strategy, it has become much easier to show a good time. But the problem is that for 32 years since the release of the game, and 5 years of its existence on the site, it has only two runs and 4 followers, which indicates its extreme unpopularity.

Before adding secondary categories, it is necessary to coordinate their conditions and rules with interested players who are ready to make a run through them. Unfortunately, here it is impossible to simply divide the table into "Level 1, Level 2, Level 3...".

So far, the future leaderboard seems to me like this:

Any% — everything that is in the game to achieve the best time.

Any% No Teleport — for those who, for some reason, consider the strategy of fast travel through the code on the second controller to be incorrect, and so that the route with movements through the gates and dragon flights would not be forgotten. (it will not be added until at least four players appear in the main category, two of whom will make a run without teleport)

All Rings — if a way is found to bypass the sealed door in the Fountain of Heaven.

Glitchless — without the abuse of experience, teleport and, possibly, something else.

100% — showing the game in full. All characters, items, notes, books, spells; completing all quests in compliance with the chains of execution, and so on.

Void% — an analog of "Death%" in some games. A fast category, where you just need to die as soon as possible from a meeting with a Void.

If there are more players who consider it necessary to take the teleport strategy to any point of Ushka Bau in a separate category, then Any% will be divided.

Also offer your options to diversify the runs. A new category will be created if there is a video of the finished run.

Correction: this applies to cases when the soldier is visible and clearly distinguishable. If the warriors are inside a gun turret, jeep, tank or helicopter, then the phrase about the completion of a phase/mission serves as a guideline.

Yesterday, during the setup of the emulator and recording, the same thought flashed through my mind. In fact, the player loses control when the soldiers turn to face the camera. This should mark the end of the run. Especially considering that the words "Mission completed" appear at different intervals. 1-2 frames may be lost when converting the video frequency from 50 fps to 30 or less, but not 4 frames. I agree with your remark. The rules and times in the leaderboard will be updated.

This run was made in the Rookie (VS mode) category.

To attack WR, two conditions must be met:

1. The order of tracks is like mine or RomZdark. At your discretion, you can swap Italy and Britain, but the first race must necessarily be Kenya. The last two are Brazil and Germany, on Kamakazi 250 bike.
2. Manipulate "random" boosts as RomZdark does. A boost occurs 1-2 seconds after a car passes by; if two cars pass by, the two boosts are summed up. While the boost is in effect, you need to move along the side of the road so that the bonus speed decreases more slowly.

The lack of musical accompaniment does not affect the in-game timer in any way.

A proposal to add a category for the run of Efreet by a secret track.

Video was re-uploaded:

Справедливо подмечено про альтернативный путь. Я долгое время был уверен, что ограничивающий дальнейшее продвижение скрипт действует на обоих маршрутах... Хорошее замечание – удалить. Так и поступлю. Вопрос об уместности принимаемой от крысы помощи рано или поздно назрел бы. Пока это применяется в одном месте... Приём отрывания бумаги не приравниваю к факту запуска самолёта. Также к скипу камней вопросов не имею. Это спорное преимущество, т.к. остаётся лишнее ХП.

Привет OpieOP

Не, я в недоумении. У нас запрещено использовать предметы, но в одном месте немножко «можно». Опосредованно. Как бы невзначай. Вроде да, но не совсем. На полшишечки. Оно само. Мышка бежала, хвостиком махнула — страница порвалась и «стрелочка» вывалилась. Вот так просто. И это не считается за фактическое «использование предмета», к чему крыса определённо тоже относится. Более того, сама механика секрета с коротким путём основывается на единственном способе обнаружения — вызов питомца на помощь. То есть другим методом срез не открыть: активация среза = помощь крысы. Если выбрал короткую дорогу, значит воспользовался «предметом» — нарушил основополагающее правило. Это как я вижу логику данного события. Но, похоже, раз срез был активирован багом, в иной точке, и — не прямым вызовом крысы, а перекладыванием содержимого (сам выскочил из кармана), то это не считается. Ну это почти то же самое, как если «предмет» активирует стоящий рядом человек, нажав за тебя кнопку. «Это не я, я не виноват! Но раз уж такое дело, то чё бы и нет?». Попахивает махинацией и подменой понятий.

Думаю, стоит определиться, что сейчас является нарушением действующего правила «forbidden to use any objects». И что есть использование в отношении предмета: нажатие кнопок XYZ на контроллере или факт свершившегося действа, пускай даже непредусмотренным способом и в непредназначенном месте. Я считаю, что второе. Но на практике получается, что первое. Дык, так и напишите в правилах: «forbidden to press XYZ buttons»! И категорию переименуйте: в «No XYZ». По крайней мере будет честно.

Хорошо, а что дальше? Детонация ненароком выпавшей из кармана бомбы? Обливаться чаем? Или, может, будет разрешено подбирать «вопросы»? Не, ну а что — вдруг обнаружится какой глюк, при котором от подрыва произойдёт чехарда с последующим смещением позиции по вертикали. Подбирая «вопрос» ты рискуешь темпом, а то и актуальностью забега вовсе, да и «прямым» предметом он тоже, наверное, не является, ибо неопределённость. Поэтому — разрешаем.

В общем, к чему я негодую иронизируя. А почему мы, в принципе, «думаем» о предметах в ходе забега? Размышляем над тем, как бы так исхитриться да разок-другой «юзануть», обойдя тем самым ограничение и нарушить правило? Разве суть категории «Low%» заключается не в том, чтобы пробежать игру, полностью игнорируя одну или несколько основных геймплейных механик во всех местах, где это объективно возможно? Когда я бегал, то исходил из того, что предметы вообще нельзя подбирать. Забывал об их существовании. Для меня это было табу. Поднял — рестарт. Например, чтобы в будущем какой-нибудь ромхакер не ткнул меня носом, дескать «Вот ты прикарманил случайно крысюка на 3-2, а это событие повлияло на паттерн поведения Мортуса, в следствии чего ты выиграл два кадра. Виновен! Отклонить! Бан!».

Поэтому предлагаю запретить сам подбор предметов, дабы в дальнейшем не возникало вопросов и моральных противоречий о сомнительности той или иной страты с «дыркой в кармане». Всё будет предельно понятно: нет «предметов» — нет почвы для разногласий. Так, по моему мнению, будут сформированы правила истинной «Low%».

Я не признаю манипуляции с предметами в дисциплине, где, убеждён, даже мысль об их поднятии должна «осуждаться». Считаю, что максимум, удел этой «спорной» страты — съехать в отдельную категорию: «Low% Ratcut» там, или «Low% OoP» (Out of Pocket).

Интересно услышать аргументы модераторов, ведь они, полагаю, сошлись во мнении, когда допустили к применению страту «дырки в кармане».

Итак, вкратце, чего бы мне хотелось:

1. Узнать, при каких условиях действующее правило «forbidden to use any objects» считается нарушенным;
2. Провести опрос среди заинтересованных по вопросу запрета собирать любые предметы, включая крысу;
3. Определить страту с перекладыванием в отдельную категорию.

Благодарю за внимание.

Hello Igeek886 You can splits the real time as you like, at any point: one mission or each phase separately. Probably, each segment in the Livesplit will have to be prescribed manually. Since the emulation of the data loading speed from a virtual floppy disk can vary, we agreed to be guided by the time spent directly behind the gameplay - without waiting screens and briefing. If there is more than one "phase" in the run, the final result is calculated by summing the "fragments" in accordance with the rules of the category: from the first frame with the cursor appearing to the first frame of the "Mission completed" message. Examples of the range that is taken into account when calculating the total are indicated in the description of the recent few runs. Any free video editor will do for counting frames (I use VSDC). I do not understand Amiga emulators, but after reading the forums, I did not see bad words about FS-UAE.

Hello, Nugboy420. RTA doesn't matter. It's more for statistics or beauty :) But in General: the timer starts when click "Start race", the split occurs when cross the finish line - including the final split. The score is based on IGT: the qualifying time is summed up (which is displayed on the award screen). Moderators recalculate the in-game time by checking sum. Regen is allowed. Good luck on your runs! VoHiYo

Changed Level Leaderboard: categories are separate into tracks and bikes. Also added categories for levels 2-5 to the Full-game Leaderboard.