(The associated video has been deleted.)
This TAS completes Round 1: Segment 1 of Final Fight in 121 fewer Frames than
[2905] Arcade Final Fight "2 players" by CReTiNo in 15:45.40.
This TAS plays at the maximum Difficulty Level settings (8 out of 8 Difficulty Level 1 and 4 out of 4 Difficulty Level 2).
The current Publication plays at the default Difficulty Level settings (4 out of 4 Difficulty Level 1 and 2 out of 2 Difficulty Level 2), because as I understand it, the author was unaware that the DIP switches could be adjusted.
This TAS demonstrates that at least this Segment of the game can be completed in fewer Frames than the current Publication, despite being played at the maximum Difficulty Level settings. I would like to complete a TAS of this game, and this leads to my quandary and why I have posted here:
At the maximum Difficulty Level settings, the Heroes to less damage against Mini Bosses and Bosses than they do at the default Difficulty Level settings. The Difficulty Level DIP Switches do not modify the amount of damage that a Hero inflicts against normal enemies. As such, a Segment with a Boss Battle would require rather more Frames at the maximum Difficulty Level settings that the same Segment at the default Difficulty Level settings. As a result, the TAS overall would likely require more Frames at the maximum Difficulty than the current Publication, despite the majority of Segments being completed in fewer Frames than the current Publication. I would prefer a TAS of this game played at the maximum Difficulty Level settings, and my impression is that this would be more closely in line with TASVideos Guidelines. However, would a Submission that requires more Frames to complete the game because it is played at the maximum Difficulty be rejected for being slower than the current Publication?
At the minimum Difficulty Level settings, the Heroes to more damage against Mini Bosses and Bosses than they do at the default Difficulty Level settings. Using these settings would allow the game to be completed in the fewest number of Frames. However, I feel it is less impressive. The seething throngs of enemies of enemies that are possible at higher Difficulty Level settings are one of the charms (horrors?) of arcade Beat 'Em Up games of this era. Would a Submission that requires fewer Frames to complete the game because it is played at the minimum Difficulty be rejected for playing at lower Difficulty Level settings than the current Publication?
Playing at the default Difficulty Level settings would complete the game in fewer Frames than the current Publication, but not so few as would playing at the minimum Difficulty Level settings. This choice would seem arbitrary to me, and only an issue because the precedent has been set at these Difficulty Level settings.
I would appreciate any feedback on how to proceed. I don't really wanna have to TAS this twice. :)
