Now that VBA supports rerecording, I decided to try a time attack of Wario Land 4, which is probably my favorite GBA game. Wario Land 4 is an interesting concept. Rather than complete a level by going from the start to the end, you have to collect four jewel fragments and the key in each level, set the level self-destruct timer, then escape from the level before the time runs out.
So far I've done two of the game's six areas, the Entry Passage, and the Emerald Passage, for a total of 5 of the game's 18 levels, and 2 of 6 bosses.
Check out my progress:
http://pages.sbcglobal.net/nkessler2000/0169-WarioLand4UQ.zip
Rom used: 0169 - Wario Land 4 (U) (Q).gba
I'm playing the game on Normal rather than Hard, becasue while Hard does thing that you would typically expect (more, tougher enemies), it also changes the positions of the jewel fragments, so what were once secret, out of the way areas are now required to progress. It would take significantly longer to play through Hard mode.
My major concern is the movie's length. So far it's 15 minutes, and thats after only a quarter of the way through. Plus the levels I've played so far are probably the shortest levels in the game. This is looking like an hour+ time attack. I didn't realize this game was so long.
Any feedback or advice would be appreciated
Joined: 2/15/2005
Posts: 246
Location: Torquay, England
Gah, it desyncs very early on for me. I tried searching Google for the rom in case it was different, but I didn't find anywhere to download it. Shame really, since I really wanted to see this. Any way you could get your rom to me?
Gah, it desyncs very early on for me. I tried searching Google for the rom in case it was different, but I didn't find anywhere to download it. Shame really, since I really wanted to see this. Any way you could get your rom to me?
I have Lag Reduction turned off, but I don't think that makes a difference because VBA apparently modifies all settings to match the movie.
The only other thing I can think of is are you using a hacked rom (ie it has a hacked intro)? If so that would cause a desync also. Mine is unhacked.
Sorry, can't send you the rom. I'm pretty sure rom requests aren't allowed.
Joined: 2/15/2005
Posts: 246
Location: Torquay, England
JuanValdez wrote:
bobxp wrote:
Gah, it desyncs very early on for me. I tried searching Google for the rom in case it was different, but I didn't find anywhere to download it. Shame really, since I really wanted to see this. Any way you could get your rom to me?
I have Lag Reduction turned off, but I don't think that makes a difference because VBA apparently modifies all settings to match the movie.
Does this have anything to do with the play movie dialog? It was quite complicated, so it might be something I missed.
The only other thing I can think of is are you using a hacked rom (ie it has a hacked intro)? If so that would cause a desync also. Mine is unhacked.
Mine starts with an intro that says Mode 7. Is that correct?
Sorry, can't send you the rom. I'm pretty sure rom requests aren't allowed.
Yea, I know rom requests aren't allowed, but that's what MSN is for... if you had it. *ends that subject*
No, intros are bad! They shouldn't be there! It's just what ROM dumpers use to give themselves credit, because apparently the process has gotten more complicated lately. But last night I got a link to a utility that should get rid of intros for you: http://www.gbadat.altervista.org/gbata.htm
put yourself in my rocketpack if that poochie is one outrageous dude
Joined: 2/15/2005
Posts: 246
Location: Torquay, England
Okay, I downloaded a new rom (someone pm'd me it, sue me) but it still desyncs at the same point. Just before smashing the blue block above the water in Hall of Heiroglyphs. It seems to me that the emulator recorded/played R being released too early.
By the way, when I tried pausing and frame-advancing it, VBA stopped responding after a while and I had to end process it. Does this have anything to do with it?
This is getting rediculous. This run has been out for an eternity, it has great votes, and I am sure it wouldn't take longer than a few hours to convert and upload it (especially with bitTorrent). It hurts the head.
Anyone else notice how long the run is taking to download?
I've been downloading it pretty much since it was posted.
More people need to seed, otherwise it's going to take days to get it.
Joined: 3/9/2004
Posts: 4588
Location: In his lab studying psychology to find new ways to torture TASers and forumers
I didn't want to encode/publish it because I have such a slow upload and it's a long movie.
However if I didn't, doesn't seem like anyone else would've.
The way it looks now, it should be distributed in another 2-3 hours.
Warning: Opinions expressed by Nach or others in this post do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or position of Nach himself on the matter(s) being discussed therein.
you could send the file just to one person, with a good upload. that'd help.
maybe worth trying next time ^^;;
anyway, we've been waiting for someone to encode this movie for a long time, so one more day does not matter.
I never sleep, 'cause sleep is the cousin of death - NAS
Joined: 3/9/2004
Posts: 4588
Location: In his lab studying psychology to find new ways to torture TASers and forumers
SXL wrote:
you could send the file just to one person, with a good upload. that'd help.
maybe worth trying next time ^^;;
It'd still take me 20 hours or so to do that, so I don't think it'll help.
Warning: Opinions expressed by Nach or others in this post do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or position of Nach himself on the matter(s) being discussed therein.
you could send the file just to one person, with a good upload. that'd help.
maybe worth trying next time ^^;;
Actually, in situations like this, you should just use super-seeding (assuming you aren't already). It's a good way to get out the complete file as fast as possible and keep the initial waiting time as low as possible.
Nach, turn on superseeder please.
We've got .998 distributed copies, and 25 peers with an average of 97.6% done.
Then again, I'm using a lowid.
EDIT: Nevermind, a seed finally crossed the threashold, taking about 20 people along with him. Crisis adverted.
Build a man a fire, warm him for a day,
Set a man on fire, warm him for the rest of his life.
Joined: 3/9/2004
Posts: 4588
Location: In his lab studying psychology to find new ways to torture TASers and forumers
I am super seeding. It is getting out as fast as possible, I'm a really slow uploader.
It also doesn't help that people with unique pieces quit the swarm.
Warning: Opinions expressed by Nach or others in this post do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or position of Nach himself on the matter(s) being discussed therein.
I am super seeding. It is getting out as fast as possible, I'm a really slow uploader.
It also doesn't help that people with unique pieces quit the swarm.
Looks like it's out for good now, though. Yay! ^_^
I did the first four levels on Hard Mode just for fun and thought I'd throw it up here.
http://ohnolookoutitsaraygun.com/WarioLand4-Hard.zip
It's the same rom Juan used, for anyone who still has it. =P
It's not a completely optimized run, but it does demonstrate some of the differences in the different mode (the most predominant one being the new locations for almost all the Jewel Pieces), as well as examples of a couple of new optimizations over Juan's movie, namely better swimming and the use of the "Slide" move done by pressing B and then immediately crouching (a move I'm guessing Juan didn't know about).
Not really expecting anything to come of this, as Wario is mystifyingly unpopular among TASers and I don't have time to make a serious attempt at this myself, but still thought I'd throw it up here.
http://girlyyy.com/
The El Viento TAS is the only decent thing I submitted here.
I did the first four levels on Hard Mode just for fun and thought I'd throw it up here.
http://ohnolookoutitsaraygun.com/WarioLand4-Hard.zip
It's the same rom Juan used, for anyone who still has it. =P
It's not a completely optimized run, but it does demonstrate some of the differences in the different mode (the most predominant one being the new locations for almost all the Jewel Pieces), as well as examples of a couple of new optimizations over Juan's movie, namely better swimming and the use of the "Slide" move done by pressing B and then immediately crouching (a move I'm guessing Juan didn't know about).
Not really expecting anything to come of this, as Wario is mystifyingly unpopular among TASers and I don't have time to make a serious attempt at this myself, but still thought I'd throw it up here.
Well, I think it looks pretty good. I did not know about the slide trick which would have shaved off a good amount of time. The swimming seems vastly improved. That's one thing I couldn't figure out how to do correctly. What's the trick? You also seemed to have improved a few other things here and there.
At the end of Hall of Hieroglyphics, where the jewel pieces are in the same place, you are about 300 frames faster than my movie, or about 5 seconds. That's pretty significant and indicates just how much my movie could be improved
By the start of Monsoon Jungle you are about 4000 frames slower than my movie, or about 66 seconds give or take. This is after only the 4 easiest levels in the game. I still estimate a hard mode TAS would be between 5 and 10 minutes longer than normal. But still, I think the hard mode movie is more interesting. I'd give it a shot, but I've kinda lost my motivation to do TAS movies. Wario truly is underappreciated.
Well, I think it looks pretty good. I did not know about the slide trick which would have shaved off a good amount of time. The swimming seems vastly improved. That's one thing I couldn't figure out how to do correctly. What's the trick? You also seemed to have improved a few other things here and there.
You just gotta avoid using Autofire. =) The "B" swim motion always incorporates a slight pause, so you don't want to press it again until Wario's swimming starts to slow down, and a good point of reference is Wario's animation. Once his arms are at his side, I release the B Button and press it again.
I found both this and the slide move out while attempting my run of Wario Land 3, which has pretty much the same controls.
JuanValdez wrote:
At the end of Hall of Hieroglyphics, where the jewel pieces are in the same place, you are about 300 frames faster than my movie, or about 5 seconds. That's pretty significant and indicates just how much my movie could be improved
That's actually quite surprising seeing how I took too long to get most of the pieces, and I messed up at the very end by letting the rock get in my way. =O
JuanValdez wrote:
By the start of Monsoon Jungle you are about 4000 frames slower than my movie, or about 66 seconds give or take. This is after only the 4 easiest levels in the game. I still estimate a hard mode TAS would be between 5 and 10 minutes longer than normal. But still, I think the hard mode movie is more interesting.
Yeah, the Normal Mode is great for seeing Wario run continuously, but it is a shame to see some of the cool puzzles being skipped, particularly in the Zombie Mansion and "Board Game" stages.
JuanValdez wrote:
I'd give it a shot, but I've kinda lost my motivation to do TAS movies. Wario truly is underappreciated.
THAT'S WHAT HE GETS FOR NOT BEING SONIC OR SIMON BELMONT. >=O
http://girlyyy.com/
The El Viento TAS is the only decent thing I submitted here.
Seems like it needs SRAM... which is not a good thing.
Judging from the guide I read, some bosses are impossible to beat without first hoarding money and buying items, which probably won't be too entertaining if it's true.
