I'll wait a little longer for comments on the start of run thread before making rules changes and retiming. If you want to retime your own runs, go for it.

Before retiming, I have to wonder, what about the end of the run? As in, what does "final hit" mean?

• @Dragondarch ends at start of the death sound playing.
• @Krayzar ends very slightly earlier than the sound starting.
• @bizarreluck ends at start of death sound, however the rest of the Hermit animation continues to play. This saves 4 seconds.
• @Spockrocket on Ianuki ends after the final hit lands, before the feedback damage or death sound. This saves 1-2 seconds.

Everyone timed with the final rule correctly but in interpretations that were fastest. I realize it's hilarious to be all legalese here over a few seconds. Issue is 1-4 seconds is significant in a 1 stage map. I don't like the idea of an attack being better if it's the final hit either.

My proposal and open to other proposals: "final hit" means start of death sound and completion of attack animation. As in, if Chariot/Devil/Hermit is used, card has to finish animating.

If you time with damage number disappearing instead of death sound starting or however Krayzar did it, that's fine. Maybe a runner here one day is deaf or hard of hearing.

I've gotten the Ninja Master to act before Albeleo a few times but I can't come close on INT card + Ninja Master or Muse killing. Must take some outrageous high rolling.

I did some reading on human reaction time and it's actually faster from an audio/music trigger versus a video trigger, as in, watching the timer. I suppose sound takes brain power to process. So I think you're doing it right. That's nice you could choose 1 on every Tarot question to avoid additional reaction time loss.

I was afraid of how many attempts were needed to get Tigerman to finish in one hit versus two on SNES/SFC. Maybe a frame war is inevitable.

3 years later so how did the test go?

That's cool how SNK has an official Discord. I don't use or like Discord, nor am I sure the mod situation is better having official rules and judging discussion in two places with different users.

Some competitive games have official discussions on other forums with Speedrun.com just a copy of their own leaderboards - and not always an accurate copy. I think either have this forum be official or SNK Discord be official and not both. Maybe everyone uses Discord but me.

There are two more issues with the rules:

1. There is no requirement to show Set Up and prove Normal difficulty. The tokko_tomcat run and yours on Single don't show it, nor does yours on Tag. I'm not suggesting anyone used a different difficulty by mistake or on purpose or any run should be removed.

I'm requesting a rules change for future runs to show the Set Up screen in English or Japanese.

2. In Set Up, there is a Battle Config submenu to change the win count but also the Able option. If On, moves have shortcuts. For instance, Hadoken, instead of D, DF, F + Punch is just F + Punch. Shoryuken, instead of F, D, DF + A is just D + Punch. Level 1 and 2 power meter moves aka master skills are way easier.

Should this option be allowed? I'd say yes. Importantly, you'd have to show it's off to prove it's off. I wonder if tokko_tomcat used it given the almost perfect chaining of Shoryuken combos and some half circle fireball Hadokens thrown in, that I wouldn't risk in a speedrun. They're just B + Punch with Able. Even the punch spam Haohmaru runs may have used Able given the difficulty in performing his Level 1 of D, DF, F, D, DF, F + Punch versus Able's D, DF, F + Punch.

Thus, I'm requesting a second rules change that Able be explicitly allowed. No need to show it or debate which existing runs used it. This buffs M. Bison into the viable tier given he doesn't have to charge anymore. I've asked that unlockables go into a different category so not a real issue if he's OP. If people want an Able Off category that's cool too but I'd wait for runs to be submitted with proof.

Thanks for making this post. There are 8 unlockable characters and 1 unlockable master skill per character right. I think there should be a distinction between using unlockables or not. I didn't see any run use an unlockable character but I didn't sit around and wait for master skills.

Then the difficulty levels are Novice, Easy, Normal, Hard, Brutal and Gamer. Would surely be excessive having 2x6x(single/tag/team) categories. Normal, the default, is beatable enough. Maybe Gamer can be a thing if runs are submitted.

If you have mod sway in Samurai Showdown! 2, that game has a bigger problem in that two existing runs use unlockables that give a major advantage but there is no category separation.

• northrex has a fair request that accessibility will increase by not being penalized for the time to enter the name.
• Sarjem Island timing rule was my doing since I created the category. I think if someone is, hypothetically, 15 frames faster on the name entry and 5 frames slower on the rest of the run, they should be first. I'm also influenced by Japanese rules that start timing before name is entered, if not right at power on.

That said, the small scene here has always been about accessibility and Spockrocket is the one doing Sarjem Island runs. Here is my proposal for the timing rules:

• Timing for Fortune/Justice 1 stage runs with or without RNG manipulation begins once name is entered. This is the current rule for Fortune (Fireseal) and a change to Justice (Sarjem).
• Timing for Diablo runs with RNG manipulation begins once name is entered. This is a change.
• Timing for Diablo runs without RNG manipulation begins once New Game is selected. This is the current rule.

Definition of RNG Manip:

• Custom name for Diablo runs will be classified as RNG manipulation. That's what you're doing whether intentional or not and this proposal prevents any deliberate cheesing of the timing.
• Significant delay on selecting New Game or entering the name in any category will be construed to be RNG manipulation. As in, you're moving the cursor extra slowly or delaying for no apparent reason.

RNG Manip carries no negative connotation. I think the classification is still important for not pressuring anyone to manip who doesn't want to.

The timing change slightly punishes Dragondarch's Diablo runs who wanted both fast name entry + good manip. Else I think everyone gets what they want.

What is the difference between the ANY and Main Game rules? The rules look identical.

On a fresh game you have no cards. CesarD's and BOSSCAT's runs use no cards. Meanwhile, FelipeNascimento83's runs on easy and normal use attack up and defense up cards, which is fair to say a huge advantage. Using previous saved game data is normally not allowed in speedruns either.

Basically, the main category should be no cards. Fine to have a separate category that allows them. There is some strategy of which 2 of the 4 cards to apply and cards make the game easier/more accessible.

I overhauled the code to also give optimal answers for each lord type. COMBIN(22,6) = 74613 Tarot card combinations are brute-forced in under 1 second to allow exact, optimal answers for the desired lord type. Of course, if you're manipulating the seed to answer 1 for every question then none of that matters. XD

This is my routed two hop solution. Certainly reaches the boss castle faster than one hop but then the human reaction time and difficulty to draw the extra point have to be considered like you're saying.

I think Fool + Albeleo Acid Cloud + Justice + 1x Weretiger attack is the fastest way but I haven't tried maniping the boss fight. Magician might also work with good RNG rolls. PSX can attempt Tower + Muse + Chariot, with Tower being faster than Fool and Chariot being faster than Devil.

Strange me looking at just about every RPG being run in Japanese for less time lost to text and seeing it banned here. I could understand banning the original Japanese release on the left and allowing the Japanese International edition on the right.

The changes in the English NTSC and PAL releases were somewhat significant with new cut scenes and famously added Ruby and Emerald weapon. The later International release does have them and presumably is in line with the Western changes:

If you separate the languages and have them compete independently from each other, then I think that's fairly uncontroversial and doesn't bar anyone who may only own the game in Japanese from being able to submit a run at all.

I wondered this myself and found the answer on GameFAQs by waterdeepchu:

To Avoid the opening video where the characters discuss their plans, pick "Multiplayer" as your game choice. It will prompt you for players; select "1." if asked to sign in another player, say "No."

One point, I didn't want to make a thread about when I'm not submitting runs but I don't understand how the time to get the lottery ticket event to trigger isn't counted in Vegas Adventure. Very jarrying to see the timer start a 0 while the game is already in progress. RNG manipulating the start should be aptly rewarded imo.

I hope this isn't an obvious question. What I can find after digging around is:

the Usamune Practice Rom will not work with your Everdrive/ED64 and on Gameshark you are limited to only 13 lines of code, which means you will be unable to use most practice codes.

dagoth | everdrive

Is that it? The Expansion Pack has no direct impact on Super Mario 64? I thought maybe, possibly, it would have faster read/write than the bundled RAM.

Recommended changes

• I think the explanation of why to buy an OEM Expansion Pack should be in alaris' linked N64 Buyer's Guide in Resources.

N64 Setup Guide for SM64 - Google Docs under alaris' link in Resources:

• The guide must be years old because it's recommending buying a Sony PVM/BVM. A 20" mono PVM that does RGB runs well over $1000 USD today and a BVM is looking like $2000 + has no audio inputs. Let's not recommend pro monitors anymore! Sad seeing people show off their 9" pro Sony monitors on Reddit that have lower TVL than consumer 15" sets that get dumped on the curb. Further, JVC, Ikegami and others made nice pro CRT monitors that go for less.
• The guide has an AmaRecTV setup versus OBS and gives AmaRecTV more weight. Years ago I could understand but I think I can say without controversy that there is no reason to use AmarecTV over OBS today, unless you have a very specific reason. Like you want to capture off of Windows XP. The guide even links's EvilAsh25's updated streaming guide that states to use OBS instead of AmRec. EvilAsh25 Streaming Setup Guide - Google Docs

I'm sorry, I looked at Chrono Trigger All Endings category that times the first run. The Chrono Trigger NG+ is for one battle where the runner is disadvantaged with 2 characters. Unlocks a famous special ending. Quite distinct from playing a full second run here.

Reborn's leadership board allows 3 separate NG+ categories based on whose opinion? Game on second run is the same. You already have all characters and all viable spells and equipment if you aren't timing the setup. Maybe one Chapter 2 + 3 combo is 10% faster, great, that's the optimal route.

A NG+ timing one route with no extra content is a silly category to begin with. I don't think it should exist and certainly not in 3 forms. A 3x playthrough of L, N and C that unlocks every character like Chrono Cross, that would time the initial run.

A Coda run from untimed setup? Okay. Have full Coda and separate 1, 2, 3, 4, okay.

Ogre Battle has its categories and timing issues that drove the most accomplished player away. He refuses to allow his new runs to be posted here. So the opinion on what is a category and what not is especially pertinent.

Powering through the game has entertainment value but why is there no timing on the first run to completion? With infinite time, can stat item boost a full team, get all the endgame spells and equipment and Ogre Blade abuse for optimal skillsets. That's fine but a timing price has to be paid.

Chrono Trigger has no NG+ only leaderboard, Chrono Cross times all 3 runs for all characters. Is there any precedent to not count the first run?

I think it's further unfitting that secretbunnyninja has two NG+ runs on the same leaderboard.

Given the time required, I can understand allowing at least 1 break of any length with no time penalty so long as the run is continued without using a splice or segment. As in, if you're streaming, keep the stream going.

Great work! Seem Tarot cards do more damage in PSX than SNES. On SNES I can't do more than 118 with Devil and a high 115 STR on Ianuki Lord from Strength on the bonus card.

I figured I'd calculate then prove via simulate the odds of starting Tarot card hands from Warren to help the cause. Wasn't all that hard: aus101/OgreBattle (github.com)

RNG bias aside:
Fool + 1 other card you need: 9.09%
Fool + at least 1 of 2 other cards you need: 15.90%
Fool + at least 1 of 3 other cards you need: 20.93%

I was able to kill with Fool + (Devil, Chariot or Hermit) + 1 daytime Tigerman attack. Hermit and usually Chariot needed tactics on Weak for the +4 damage and that takes a fraction of a second. I think 1 in 5 rolls to have a plausible run is really good.

I saw 105 STR was also possible, so the bonus card isn't super critical.

First, let me give you the analog video quality breakdown from worst to best:

RF < Composite < S-Video < Component aka YPbPr < RGB Component can be better than RGB in certain circumstances, such as consoles where the native video format is digital component (YCbCr).

PS2 has S-Video, Component and RGB available. Your issue is most likely the monitor needs 480/576p progressive scan and you're feeding PS2 interlaced 480/576i. Scaling from interlaced to progressive (de-interlacing) while staying in analog is complicated and expensive. More realistic route is a 2 device chain: Interlaced Video -> HDMI -> Progressive Component or VGA.

Portta makes very nice and cheap HDMI to Component and VGA converters. I'm less sure of cheap options for the first step that don't lag but at the $100 / 100 € mark, it can be done.

Use the highest quality input on converting to HDMI, i.e, not Composite. You don't gain quality by transcoding one video format into a higher one because the video processor has already done its part. Composite to VGA is just blurry RGB.

Lots of 2000s era LCD monitors and televisions at thrift stores that accept Composite, S-Video and Component at PS2's 480/576i resolution. I got lucky and found a Dell monitor and Panasonic Plasma television that accept 480i/576i RGB over VGA.

You're right that it inappropriately markets itself as not emulation - but it definitely is. There is an early review that points out sound errors. Flash cart author krikzz showed Pocket's unstable IO writes that give issues with his his product that only Analogue can fix. Then there is a blog post by emulation legend endrift called Analogue Pocket: A Hate Story that admits to them accepting inaccurate emulation so long as it runs at the right clock cycle rate.

Of course there is no test suite proving its accuracy or anything compared to real hardware, MiSTer core or mGBA or gambatte. All we got to go on is a marketing claim to sell an expensive product. If it's accepted as real hardware for any game, that should be stopped.

FPGA emulators are programmed in VHDL, Verilog or SystemVerilog programming languages. Most accurate software emulators are programmed in C++ programming languages. There is no "not emulation" here.

That Nintendo Power thread is pretty epic. Thanks for summarizing and giving answers. Guess I want to buy a writing device not being scalped on eBay first.

No PS1 emulator emulates disc loading lag accurately but we can figure out the RNG mechanics either way. We're not trying to glitch based on lag frames. I would expect the timer to tick up during lag frames. One way to define lag is what happens when the game doesn't finish its calculations to write to VRAM before the vertical blanking interval ends and a new frame to draw begins. Incrementing the timer used for RNG would be high priority and likely take place very early in each frame.

I saw the Lua code! Is a big improvement on my RAM watch strategy especially with the letter setter function. I know how to use TAS Studio to rerecord, just didn't have the patience before but you ruled many things I no longer have to test for.

I have same SNES NA hex values for the name entry and tarot cards. What I found is the letters you enter get stored starting at 0x87B but the name used for the OL is stored at 0x7A4. Meaning you see 'F' for FIRESEAL at 0x87B and 'L' for LEXAR at 0x74A. Else the names are only different from trailing blank spaces you enter that appear as 0x20's in 0x87B but get ignored when you see the game asking you to confirm the name.

I created a primitive way of testing tarot generation using cheat code feature to constantly set the starting seed at 0x7E0051 right before I confirm male or female and then turn it off. Could say what I found isn't proof due to glitching the game.

Today's findings

The edited name starting at 0x74A is what is used to generate the tarot cards, based on FIRESEAL and LEXAR generating the same cards with same seed. So what Krayzar was already doing.

The starting letter or character generates the same tarot cards if the name is 1, 2 or 3 characters long. Meaning the same seed yields same tarots for naming !, !A, !HI, etc. but !!!! and !HELLO would be different because > 3 characters and different from each other.

My paste got removed by Pastebin for being "potentially harmful" lol with no notification sent to me: https://ibb.co/rsH3wxF I appealed well after the 14 day limit and the paste was restored within a day.

Krayzar's new YouTube video shows he owns a Nintendo Power cart with the special Ogre Battle! Is there a modern way to read/write to load a different game on it or to extract the save file? Can you add the files linked in the video description like start of video says?

Fortunately, I could scroll over the 1 hour 11 minute 11 second video and jump to the explanatory text.

PlayStation lag frames, do we know if those deterministic on real PS1 and PS2 and on emulator? Does the timer still advance lag frames internally?

I learned that per the important timer value starting seed on the frame you confirm sex as male or female on:

-It doesn't matter if you skip the Quest logo or not. -It doesn't matter what frame you choose New Game on. -It doesn't matter what frame you confirm the Opinion Leader's name on (I think). -We knew the specific name mattered but now confirmed for all versions. -Making the OL male or female matters on PlayStation and Saturn. -Frames you choose male or female and the answer to each of Warren's questions matter on PlayStation only. -While frame you load to a saved game save matters for that game file, saved game exiting back to starting screen doesn't reset the timer unless you soft reset.

I assume for now that regular Japanese vs English SFC/SNES and PlayStation Japanese versus English versions have no RNG differences.