Timer pausing
9 years ago
Finland

So if the time comes and during a run, you need to pause the timer and the run because of interruptions, will the run still be valid if no time is saved from the pause and can the run be submitted to the site if there's a video of it? Or does the run need to be retimed with a timer counting during the pause which will basically make the actual time a lot worse?

Cambridgeshire, England

Interruptions happen all the time; as long as the game hasn't been continuing (for a cutscene, for example) when your timer is paused, your run should still be valid.

andresfgp13, Vallu and 2 others like this
Gelderland, Netherlands

^ what purplesunderyl said and retime it to see a correcter time with the pausing (dont count it in but the start and end of pausing might differ then from the points in the vid). maybe make the video with the timer that you had on and the retimed one if you do it. and dont forget to add a comment that you had a pause in the run.

Finland

I see, that's a relief. I thought that it was over as soon as the timer is paused because it's not "RTA" after that. Thank you for the answers!

Bavaria, Germany

Depends on what the community for that game has decided. Some communities might not mind it, others will not allow pausing the timer during a run.

For example, the GTA community has the following rule: [quote] Runs use the Real Time Attack (RTA) timing convention, meaning runs are timed using an external timer (such as WSplit or Llanfair) which can't be paused during the run. The timer does not have to be shown on the video, but the time must be verifiable. [/quote]

England

How does one show the timer during a stream? Does it show automatically or should I be clicking on something somewhere?

Arizona, USA

The easiest way I've found to get the timers during a stream is to use OpenBroadcasterSoftware (OBS). You can add layers to your stream from a variety of sources (game, program windows, images, text, etc). I have mine set up so that the game is in the background layer, with an overlay image on top that has some images and graphics and my PB, and then my splits up in the corner. It seems to work pretty well.

I'm sure you can achieve the same effect with other streaming software, but I haven't found anything that is that feature-rich without paying a decent amount of cash.

Germany

I'm absolutely against this. a) Sellouts will definitely abuse this to read donation comments and greet subs during runs. Some WR videos are bad enough as it is, but if it ever comes to the point that some asshat literally pauses his game to give some epic reaction to the "#1 donator being bopped" and then go on to claim WR, I support the death penalty for that. b) If it was allowed, I would definitely abuse this at same later level in the game to get some last minute practice in on hard tricks like the walljump at the end of SMB1. Yes, it would be worth it. And don't even bother coming up with some arbitrary "you can only pause once every x minute for y minutes" or "you will get an x seconds penalty per pause" rules.

PackSciences likes this
England

Well you might need to visit the toilet badly.

Victoria, Australia
stoot
He/Him, They/Them
9 years ago

It really depends on what the community thinks.

PackSciences likes this
Massachusetts, USA

Personally, I believe if the run is timed using RTA, and the timer is paused, it should be allowed to be submitted, but not considered WR, and should be counted as a segmented run, not as a full run. however, this also is a case by case. every game is going to have different rules.

Gelderland, Netherlands

@i_o_l i agree with your statement about pausing the timer to be sellout. and well you should practice before a run not during.

But if something happens in the house (like someone forgot their keys/need a hand fast) and you have a run going shouldnt that be a good reason to pause the timer?

United States

In general it's not good precedent to compete with pausing of timers.

It's generally going to come down to community decision, and when there are numerous serious runners, the communities are going to tend towards not allowing pause breaks. (You can pause but the time counts.)

There are very real advantages to be gained by pausing, such as practicing a hard trick on another setup or waiting for a more favorable RNG pattern.

You guys should try to be more careful stating opinions as opinions. There is no formal site policy on pausing at this time, but in general the more established communities don't allow pausing, so I feel that the first couple responses in this thread are very misrepresentative of the state of things.

TingTyphoon, Gnist and 2 others like this
Friesland, Netherlands

[quote]Well you might need to visit the toilet badly.[/quote] Then that is extremely poor planning on your end. You should probably pee before starting a 4 hour speedrun. If you're ill and have diarrhea, don't speedrun.

[quote]But if something happens in the house (like someone forgot their keys/need a hand fast) and you have a run going shouldnt that be a good reason to pause the timer?[/quote]That's not really your problem is it? You're busy, they'll have to wait.

[quote]b) If it was allowed, I would definitely abuse this at same later level in the game to get some last minute practice in on hard tricks like the walljump at the end of SMB1. Yes, it would be worth it. [/quote] Exactly. I could also keep on playing to see what predetermined pattern I will get later, then load game, continue timer and adjust my playing to that. (Could do this for Banjo Kazooie Furnace Fun Grunty Questions)

[quote]There are very real advantages to be gained by pausing, such as practicing a hard trick on another setup or waiting for a more favorable RNG pattern. [/quote]Not to mention that just clearing your mind and just relaxing for a short bit can get you back in the game fresh and relaxed and just simply get rid of some stress caused by earlier parts of the run that could seriously impact the rest of your performance.

PackSciences, frogyfro and 2 others like this
Victoria, Australia
stoot
He/Him, They/Them
8 years ago

http://www.picturesof.net/_images_300/Cartoon_Man_In_a_Suit_Digging_a_Grave_Royalty_Free_Clipart_Picture_101015-044408-229053.jpg