Question about the strictness on accepted runs.
3 years ago
Canada

Hi there, I just started running this game and got what i consider a decent time. I submitted it, and it was rejected because I didnt reset... it was my first run of the day. What was I supposed to reset?

Follow-up question. Why is this one of the only games with an insane strictness for barrier to entry?

Morocco

General Rules:

1- Timing starts when you begin a file and ends when you enter the pirate ship and lose control of Samus (unless otherwise stated in category rules).

In-Game Time Rules:

1- To submit In Game Time your run must be completed without reloading a save.

Difficulty Rules:

1- All submitted Hard mode runs as of 14 Jan 2021 require a video.

Misc. Category Rules:

1- All Misc. Category runs require a video.

Emulator Specific Rules:

1- All real time submissions on emulator require video. 2- Runs must begin from a visible soft or hard reset. 3- RTA (real time) is prioritized for this leaderboard. If you do not follow the rules and guidelines outlined in the thread linked below you may only submit game-time. http://www.speedrun.com/mzm/thread/syvkl

i did the same mistake days ago, just follow those rules, & u will be ok, good luck next time

Canada

What is a visible soft or hard reset? The run I submitted was the first of the day so I didn't have to reset from anything. Do I just botch a run so I have that footage?

France

A soft reset is when you press A + B + Start + Select. A hard reset is when you completely turn your console off then back on. We use this measure because it ensures you'll get a new RNG set or something along these lines, to make sure you aren't playing on one that is advantageous. We wouldn't expect someone to do this but it's just a general rule to make 100% sure everyone is on the same pace.

Also resetting your game takes you to press 4 buttons at once which isn't anything "insane". The emulator verifications are here to prove that your game is set the right way and that it runs exactly like it would on console. If anything, those rules allow more people to play and enter the boards.

Québec

you don't have to botch a run, you open the emulator you reset at the main screen so we can all see the reset and you can do your run, easy as that

New York City, NY, USA

It's probably a bad idea to just jump straight into doing a run anyway. Personally, I always practice individual segments for like 2-3 minutes to get warmed upbefore resetting and doing runs for real. There, problem solved.

Assuming you don't play on emulator, the rules are incredibly simple - just have a visible reset. The only reason I've seen console runs get rejected for in the Discord is from not knowing that segmented runs cannot submit IGT. It pales in comparison to the amount of times that someone asks why their emulator run got rejected.

Edited by the author 3 years ago
United States

The reason for the strictness of the rules is because most GBA emulator setups do not run the game accurately in terms of real time. An incorrect setup runs about 1 minute faster per hour than a console setup, which isn't acceptable for a leaderboard like this one. The rules are as lax as we could make them while still ensuring that only accurate setups are allowed on the boards.

A reset is required to ensure that runners are not starting from a fixed RNG seed, which would happen if you started from a savestate at the main menu.

Showing mGBA core is required because VBA is an old and inaccurate emulator that has a significant advantage over console in terms of time.

Showing that you have the proper firmware loaded is required because mGBA needs the firmware to run accurate to console, without it loaded the emulator will still run about 1 minute fast per hour.

Showing which version of Bizhawk you are running is required because certain versions of Bizhawk used a version of mGBA that introduce bugs relevant to Zero Mission.

I understand that our requirements are somewhat more strict than a lot of other games, but they are there to ensure that everyone on the boards is on a level playing field. If you need help making sure you are set up correctly please feel free to DM me or any of the other mods, all of us want to be sure that people are able to submit to the boards and enjoy the speedrun.

jakoliath, CircleGuy, and 14OVITCH like this