GW Olympics - Speedrun Event[/size]


Okay! The poll was ran and it seems people decided on choosing the Heatman Stage from Megaman 2.

Get practising, and we're ready to take your submissions over the next week. As soon as we get the submission and authenticate it, your score will be entered into the very sexy scoreboard. Obviously the top three scores at the end of the deadline (which is yet to be set) will win either a Bronze, Silver or Gold medal for their country. So make sure you give your nationality when submitting.

The following is entirely down to Dada, who's been the helping out a huge amount with this event (I have no idea when it comes to speedrunning and the rules and such, so I owe alot to him).

What we're going to do is make a speedrun recording with an emulator.¹  What we need in order to do this is a special emulator and a ROM file.  Every participant must get exactly the same.

Since the chosen game is Mega Man 2, we'll need a NES emulator that allows for recordings to be made.  Go get it here (version 2.0.2).  The source code is available here, in case you're not on Windows and want to take a shot at compiling it (PM me if you need help).

The ROM we will be using is Mega Man 2 (U).nes.  No other version will do.  Keep in mind that we'll be playing on easy difficulty.

When I suggested this game, I also said that it would be best if we could play Heat Man's level with the weapons that you'd normally have when making a speedrun of the game.  That's why I've made a save state that brings you to the main menu after you've beaten Air Man, Quick Man, Flash Man, Metal Man and Bubble Man.  Download it here.  Put it in the directory where you installed the emulator (e.g.  C:\fceux-2.0.2.win32).

Here's what you should do in order to record an attempt:

• First open the ROM.
• Then load the save state that you've downloaded before (File -> Load State From...).  You'll begin playing the level after watching the boss animation.
  
• Immediately after loading the state, you should go into the menu and choose (File -> Record Movie...).  Don't bother typing in the author information or changing the name of the recording, but make sure you choose "Now" in the "Record From" field.
  
• Your movement is now being recorded! You should see a red dot in the bottom-right corner of the screen to indicate that you're recording.
• Now play through the level and choose File -> Stop Movie when you're done (or when you want to try again).

When everything is done, you should have several FM2 files.  These are the actual movies.  Make sure you create a backup of the one you want to send in! Clearly name it (e.g.  gw_speedrun_mm2_dada.fcm or something like that) and then e-mail or PM it to Esh.  Also, please don't post about how you did, as you might discourage others from making an attempt.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Are you sure this FM2 is the actual recording file? It's only about 16 KB!
  Yes, FM2 files are the recordings.  The reason why they're so small is because they don't actually contain any video data, they really just contain a log of all the keys that you pressed during the recording (and a save state, in our case).  That's also why everybody needs to have the EXACT same ROM file.  Since only all key presses are logged, correct replay of the movie is at the mercy of the emulated internal state of the machine, which will undoubtedly be slightly different when using a different ROM.  That's why you can only use the ROM that has the exact name as described above.
  
  
• I can't find the ROM.
  Go on IRC and bug me for it (Dada).
  
  
• What about cheating? Is it possible?
  Yes, it's possible to cheat by slowing down the emulator or using save states.  The emulator was made for "tool-assisted" speedrunning and thus has those capabilities.  We expect that nobody will actually do this, but if it does happen we'll likely be able to tell.  It's possible for one to erase his tracks, but that's difficult.  Short answer: don't worry about it too much.
  

_{1: Normally, people simply record their play via VHS tape, but that's only necessary if you want to break an "official" record, so we won't go through the trouble.}

Make sure to ask any questions if in doubt of anything.

How will this be recorded? Fraps?

and questions like that... etc.

cool.. I like the idea.. but what game?

Pick a non-traditional level from a Mario game, I say. World 2-3 (whatever that would be) from Mario 3, or Donut Plains 3 in Mario World!


Disclaimer: I have no idea what those levels are by memory.

The first level on that video, I'm pretty sure it's the level from Dada's old avatar.

How will this be recorded? Fraps?

and questions like that... etc.

a lot of emulators have an recording device built it so that probably wont be a problem, at worse we will need a special version of the emulator

Haha, 2-3 is actually a pretty cool level then!

World 2-3 in Mario 3 has my endorsement!

You know, a Sonic speed run would be pretty cool imo. No idea which level, but something that isn't straight forward.

I think Sonic or Super Mario World/Super Mario Bros 3 would be sweet.

I really can't comment on levels since the only level I've ever done anything worthwhile on was in Hitman Blood Money.

Some NES games might be cool because you can finish stuff like the original Zelda incredibly quickly.

Just make it something that most people would have or can easily acquire.

dibbs on Bubble Man's level--Oh wait, no pc :*(

I am also voting for Megaman 1 or 2 (Also Eyesore take that fucking back!!!, he is like 4 feet tall ok.), or possibly a level from Sonic 1/2/3 if anyone is interested in that heh.

Alright, so we've currently got the following game suggestions:
Super Mario Bros. 3
Megaman 2
Sonic the Hedgehog 1/2/3

And yes, the game/level will be chosen by a poll.

When we get a better idea of what level to do, we'll set one up.

Please god not a Megaman the levels are so stupid long.  Voting 2-3 SMB 3.