I'm making a Tool-Assisted Speedrun!

[Franklint]

Hi guys (I really need to change that greeting to something more original).

I have decided to make a TAS for Toy Story 2, a little-known gem for the N64. If you don't know what a TAS is, here is tasvideos.org definition:

Tool-assisted speedrun, TAS

A tool-assisted speedrun (short: TAS) is a speedrun that is made with use of tools.
Tools are features that help the playing that are not available in regular playing.
Common examples of tools:

Slow motion, pause, and frame advance
(Never letting the game to go too fast to handle.)
Precise timer
(A frame-by-frame counter of movie length, that helps comparing different paths.)
Re-recording
(Ability to undo unwanted actions and retry.)
Hex-editing
(Copying and editing of input stream segments.)
Autofire
(Also called “turbo”, as found in some game controllers. Automatically repeating pressing of a button.)

Use of all of the aforementioned features is not necessary for a movie to be called tool-assisted. If the movie uses even one of these tools (timer excluded, autofire is disputable), it is a tool-assisted movie and not a regular speedrun.

The thread where I originally discussed this is here: tasvideos.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5586

I have never done one of these before (as is indicated in the thread) and so the first thing that I'm going to do is to plan out a route and get a map for the first level. I'll let you know when I do that.

This probably doesn't fit in the Pics/Vids section because it doesn't necesarilly pertain to glitches. However, I am hoping to use at least one glitch in the final movie, so that's my excuse.

Y'all should go and check out some other TASes, especially of games that you know, because they are often just incredible.

Cheers,
Franklint

[Glitchy]

Oh my god! Toy Story 2 was probably my favorite game next to Mario 64. haha

I'm a huge fan of TAS runs, regardless of the game. And while I'm not sure that there are many glitches in TS2, I'm sure that you'll do an admiral job in your run.

Good Luck!

EDIT: I'm going to download this for my emulator and see if I can find any helpful glitches for you.

[Franklint]

Haha, that's awesome. Not a lot of people liked it, strangely. I did though. Like you, it is one of my favourite platformers. I think it was one of the only games based off a film franchise that was actually decent.

Great that you're a fan of TASes. I am too, and I think it's an awesome idea to eradicate human error to see a game played optimally. If you haven't played Super Mario Land for Game Boy, play it now. If you can't be bothered buying the cart, I can upload the ROM for you because I think it's ESA protected on the rest of the web. And then watch the TAS. Crazy stuff.

Indeed not many glitches I've encountered. But then again many are often uncovered during the making of a TAS because of the frame- and pixel-perfect precision.

Thankyou very much. We'll see how it goes.

That's really nice of you. Any help is appreciated!

Cheers,
Franklint

[Franklint]

This TAS thing certainly takes patience.

I have been working erratically on this for the past few days. I have a map (drawn by a friend) and route plan for the first level done, and have nearly optimised the menus and cutscenes before the game begins. The emulator tools were much easier to learn than I expected, which was good.

I might scan in the map and route soon so y'all can give me some feedback. I could also post a WIP (work in progress movie for those of you who are not TAS-obsessed) so you can check for desynchs or whether I've done it correctly.

I am now looking to buy an N64 Adaptoid (http://www.adaptoid.com) because I found, after messing around a bit on the first level, that the required accuracy is not really available with the 8 directions supplied by the arrow keys. Unfourtunately, Adaptoids are extremely rare and often go for over USD$100 on eBay. For this reason, I may have to settle for the inferior Boom PS2/PSX/N64 to USB converter (no official website), which would be fine because I could use my PSX controllers for other games.

I am generally liking the experience, but keep in mind that the progress is unlikely to get any faster because I simply have so much on, and I may even have to delay the project if things get too hectic.

Cheers,
Franklint

[Glitchy]

I can tell you from experience that a cheap psx controller will work just fine. I bought the cheapest one I could find and it ended up working fantastically. I think you can kind of see the difference it made by comparing two of my videos.

This first one was made using arrow-keys. Watching it now, I'm kind of embarrassed.

youtube.com/watch?v=jDb7fQ13vKI


This second one was made using my cheap-ass psx controller.

youtube.com/watch?v=rnYcqYiSmCY

And for some reason the music in the first video is extremely loud. I'm not really sure how that's relevant to this topic, but I thought I'd point it out.

[Franklint]

Both of those videos were really good! And I can see what you mean about the PSX controller. The second vid looked much cleaner. Thanks a lot for the tip. I will keep that in mind and probably get hold of a Boom PS2/PSX/N64 to USB converter thingo instead of an Adaptoid.

Cheers,
Franklint

[Franklint]

Here is a slightly edited copy of the message I left on the original thread.

Thanks heaps for all your help guys.

I have finally managed to upload my WIP. Please note that it stops as soon as the level actually begins. I want to make sure that I've got the menus as optimized as possible. Download here:
www.fileden.com/files/2006/11/29/436165/Toy%20Story%202%20%28USA%29.m64
In order to play this movie, you should go to here: tasvideos.org/M64.html

I haven't got hold of the map that a mate drew of the first level. I'll scan that in when I get a chance also. Thanks for your patience guys. I'll take the chance now to point out that if anyone wants to continue where I left off, or to advance the project in any way, please do so. I am still just learning, and I'm happy to not take any credit if someone goes further with this.

That being said, I will still of course continue with this, as I'm really enjoying it. However, still keep in mind that it is just going to get slower as I have many real-life commitments.

Cheers,
Franklint

[onemustfall]

wow, Toy story 2 brings back memories. good luck franklint!

[Franklint]

Heh, thanks.