So apparently different versions of Pac-Man: Tengen and Namco are considered different games. The differences are highlighted here: https://tcrf.net/Pac-Man_(NES). Thanks to Spikestuff for the tip and for not letting me be complacent with the Tengen version.
The solution is not exactly the same as that one, though. The start cannot be skipped in this one so at least the initial seed is changed when the first level starts. Indeed, if you copy&paste the solution from the Tengen one, it desyncs. So I had to re-launch the bot to generate a brand new solution for this one.
Addendum: the Japanese version (Namcot) synchronizes to this exact movie perfectly. Therefore, I would really doubt to call it a different game, so I won't submit a different movie for it.
Rom Information
Rom: Pac-Man (Namco)
headerless rom hash: SHA1:92C3361B9E3B28A51FD30E7845C988A6D576EE65
headerless rom hash: MD5:CA606BD8A875A396D52735C3BB84FA67
Does this movie sync with the Tengen version as well? Because it sounds like the only difference is the forced delayed start that causes the RNG to desync from [5231] NES Pac-Man (Tengen) by eien86 in 12:02.86.
Are they really different games?
Does this movie sync with the Tengen version as well? Because it sounds like the only difference is the forced delayed start that causes the RNG to desync from [5231] NES Pac-Man (Tengen) by eien86 in 12:02.86.
Are they really different games?
Hi, the solution desyncs even if you account for the delay. I couldn't say whether this is specifically an RNG effect or some other elements in the game mechanics are also affected.
As to whether to consider these different games, I'll leave that to the community to decide. If the consensus says they are, then I'll go ahead and cancel it
So apparently different versions of Pac-Man: Tengen and Namco are considered different games.
Considering the identical gameplay as well as most of the assets, I would say, it's similar to beating a hack which doesn't bring much new stuff to the "original".
TASing is like making a film: only the best takes are shown in the final movie.
Does this movie sync with the Tengen version as well? Because it sounds like the only difference is the forced delayed start that causes the RNG to desync from [5231] NES Pac-Man (Tengen) by eien86 in 12:02.86.
Are they really different games?
Hi, the solution desyncs even if you account for the delay. I couldn't say whether this is specifically an RNG effect or some other elements in the game mechanics are also affected.
As to whether to consider these different games, I'll leave that to the community to decide. If the consensus says they are, then I'll go ahead and cancel it
Interesting detail. Thanks for the info!
I think this may warrant further investigation. Both speedrun.com and Twin Galaxies have both the Tengen and Namco versions merged indistinguishable from each other in their leaderboards, based on the reasoning that the only difference is the title screen. If it turns out this assumption is false, it may shake things up in these communities as well.
There is enough evidence and feedback from the community and judges to deem this and the Tengen version as one and the same game. I agree with that, and since the Tengen one is shorter, I'm cancelling this one. Thanks all for their feedback!
