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Post by Chainsaw on Nov 5, 2019 14:20:40 GMT -5
Playvectrex: Your video is showing exactly the effect that I get when I reach a level with star dust, but if I remember correct, not with the fireball mines in level 3 (?!). I often also get strange sound effects when this happens... Mhhh so according to Parabellum and Malban, it seems the ROM files are the problem - but also on real machines...?! Seems there is no fixed versions available on Vectrex websites, especially not the original ROM with level 13 bug or the later version with star dust at level 32 (or somethere) that runs until level 89 (where not all dots will open)... If somebody knows something or can help, then: please help :-)
Playvectrex: Yeah, Hyperchase is only playable with a good original controller (or maybe a very good compatible analog controller). I always press the stick completly up during the whole gameplay, then it is a little bit easier to make smooth movements to the left and right. Maybe other players have other "technics".
EDIT: I think my english is not too bad but still learning expressions... Never heard "All I know is I got my ass handed to me " before LOL :-)
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Post by VectorX on Nov 5, 2019 14:27:27 GMT -5
Playvectrex: Yeah, Hyperchase is only playable with a good original controller (or maybe a very good compatible analog controller). FURY made a compatible one years ago that I think was supposed to have worked really well with it.
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Post by Chainsaw on Nov 5, 2019 15:04:11 GMT -5
Bought last year the Radpad from Oliver Radford, think this also works for Hyperchase. I didn't try it at the moment. (If somebody wants that I test the Radpad with Hyperchase, please tell me, then I will do a little test.)
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Post by VectorX on Nov 5, 2019 15:46:42 GMT -5
^Well, you might as well try it!
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Post by Chainsaw on Nov 5, 2019 16:11:06 GMT -5
Just tried it... And I have the feeling, that the car in Hyperchase is a little bit easier to control with the Radpad. Maybe it is because the stick itself is longer than the stick of the original controller, so smoother left / right movements are possible. (But - if somebody has small hands, then the longer joystick of the Radpad could be uncomfortable). And - the button arrangement of the Radpad is an acquired taste, also the pressure point of the micro switches of the buttons. But I'm happy to have a Radpad for the case, that the original controller will stop working anytime (hope not.) If somebody had the possibility to buy a Radpad for the Vectrex - I would recommend it to him. (I think I posted this already in another thread about the Radpad itself, but cannot remember, and I'm too lazy to search the thread.)
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Post by hcmffm on Nov 5, 2019 16:49:46 GMT -5
Thank you all for your feedback, comments, and this vivid discussions. From the feedback I understand that the new points-per-game based ranking is a good improvement. Again, thank you D-Type for suggesting and pushing this into reality. Maximum scores Above, the maximum scores which are used to limit duration of game play are discussed quite a bit. The maxium scores have pros and cons. Looking back at the origin of the maximum scores may help to decide on the future use of maximum scores. In the beginning of the Vector Wars there were no maximum scores. At that time, Rob M. was very good in playing Star Castle (and I think he still is). In Vector War I he submitted a score of about 300,000 points in Vector War II he played over 1,000,000. Other players were at about 20.000 points and with the percentage based ranking system they got about 2 % for this game. It became clear that an extraordinary high score makes a game unattractive for all the other players. So when Rob passed over the organization of the Vector War to me it was clear to me that maximum scores would be introduced. And whenever players had felt that a game can be marathoned and is too entiring to play we had agreed on a maximum score and introduced them even during a Vector War. Main reason for introducing maximum scores wasn't to keep keen players from marathoning a game but to keep a game attractive for all players from the ranking perspective and from the playing perspective. (Two hours of playing Clean Sweep can be very ennerving while two hours of playing Vectorblade can be good fun and interesting.). With the introduction of the points-per-game ranking system this main reason is no longer valid. With this ranking system it does no longer make a difference whether you're second, third, fourth, ... with a small score difference or second with a large score difference. The only reason left for maximum scores is to limit playing time during Vector War. And whether limiting playing time is fair, prevents real competition, or is family friendly, that's a different discussion. What I have learnt in this Vector War:• Vectrex console still fascinates old and young people. • Veccy Bird was the only game that was played by all players. This means that all players have a flashable cartridge at hand. So it's not a problem to play games that are available as binaries, only, in future Vector Wars. • Frontier was played by 8 players, only. I assume that these players didn't have the game at hand. --> Game list should be announced earlier so that people still have enough time to order games if needed. • Changing of score codes can cause problems and must be improved if possible. • I have to be careful with old threshold scores (e.g. Hyperchase) What I'd like to know:Already, many things have been discussed. One thing I still would like to know: • Did the highscore list contain all the info you needed? Do you have any suggestions for the highscore list (e.g. display rank table and point table separately instead Behind the scenes• The prize winners are contacted by me one by one to choose their prize. • Random prize will be drawn on Saturday or Sunday.
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Post by Chainsaw on Nov 5, 2019 18:05:59 GMT -5
hcmffm: Everything you wrote is OK for me, also the highscore list was OK for me. Thanks again for organizing the Vector War!!!
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Post by coleco1981 on Nov 5, 2019 20:57:05 GMT -5
Agreed on all accounts! I think max scores limit the gap between entry level players and marathon players. I think the only thing I would change would be to limit the amount of games that have obtainable max scores per year. I didn't really look at the new scoring table this year. I understand the concept of points per place, but I'm not sure how to calculate them. In the past I would often times like to do 'what if' calculations so I can figure out which games I need to focus on. Wasn't sure how to do this under the new scoring system. Thanks all for another wonderful Vector Wars! All these newer players have really made this competition hard as nails! I should have practiced more before the competition. It would be cool to 'uncover' games progressively before next years vector wars starting with homebrews that need to be purchased, perhaps one per week or something. Thank you all for your feedback, comments, and this vivid discussions. From the feedback I understand that the new points-per-game based ranking is a good improvement. Again, thank you D-Type for suggesting and pushing this into reality. Maximum scores Above, the maximum scores which are used to limit duration of game play are discussed quite a bit. The maxium scores have pros and cons. Looking back at the origin of the maximum scores may help to decide on the future use of maximum scores. In the beginning of the Vector Wars there were no maximum scores. At that time, Rob M. was very good in playing Star Castle (and I think he still is). In Vector War I he submitted a score of about 300,000 points in Vector War II he played over 1,000,000. Other players were at about 20.000 points and with the percentage based ranking system they got about 2 % for this game. It became clear that an extraordinary high score makes a game unattractive for all the other players. So when Rob passed over the organization of the Vector War to me it was clear to me that maximum scores would be introduced. And whenever players had felt that a game can be marathoned and is too entiring to play we had agreed on a maximum score and introduced them even during a Vector War. Main reason for introducing maximum scores wasn't to keep keen players from marathoning a game but to keep a game attractive for all players from the ranking perspective and from the playing perspective. (Two hours of playing Clean Sweep can be very ennerving while two hours of playing Vectorblade can be good fun and interesting.). With the introduction of the points-per-game ranking system this main reason is no longer valid. With this ranking system it does no longer make a difference whether you're second, third, fourth, ... with a small score difference or second with a large score difference. The only reason left for maximum scores is to limit playing time during Vector War. And whether limiting playing time is fair, prevents real competition, or is family friendly, that's a different discussion. What I have learnt in this Vector War:• Vectrex console still fascinates old and young people. • Veccy Bird was the only game that was played by all players. This means that all players have a flashable cartridge at hand. So it's not a problem to play games that are available as binaries, only, in future Vector Wars. • Frontier was played by 8 players, only. I assume that these players didn't have the game at hand. --> Game list should be announced earlier so that people still have enough time to order games if needed. • Changing of score codes can cause problems and must be improved if possible. • I have to be careful with old threshold scores (e.g. Hyperchase) What I'd like to know:Already, many things have been discussed. One thing I still would like to know: • Did the highscore list contain all the info you needed? Do you have any suggestions for the highscore list (e.g. display rank table and point table separately instead Behind the scenes• The prize winners are contacted by me one by one to choose their prize. • Random prize will be drawn on Saturday or Sunday.
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Post by Peer on Nov 7, 2019 3:28:11 GMT -5
Greetings everyone, many thanks for all the feedback you provided for Vec-Man during the Vector War! As a result, I have just uploaded a new (absolutely last and ultimately final, yet probably not eternal) gamma test version 2-4 on the Vec-Man web page. Please check out my latest post in the Vec-Man thread to find more information about this version. Your thoughts are highly appreciated, as I definitely want to finalize the game now.
Many Cheers, Peer
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Post by 50tbrd on Nov 8, 2019 4:11:58 GMT -5
If I had more time, I'd have played a few more games like Frontier or submitted higher scores. It does seem that the threshold is problematic as there are so many great players hitting the those scores.
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Post by fmml on Nov 8, 2019 10:16:42 GMT -5
My thoughts for the current discussion ,most things were said already. - I like the new score system because for midfield players like me it is more motivating to improve my scores. The downside is that submitting bad scores helps everyone else but yourself. Players might tend to focus on games they are good at. Maybe bonus points could be granted for the number of games you played? -Threshold scores had been quite easy in the past imo. I don’t mind if they are a bit more difficult like with Hyperchase. I needed some practice before I could get under 125s which was cool when I finally did it. I don’t mind low thresholds either to keep the barrier low for new players. -Maximum scores aren’t that important any more with the new score system. I don’t have the time to marathon games but I don’t have the skills either. I’d like to add that I had a great time with Vector War this year. The kids have grown a bit older so it was possible for me to play Vectrex most of the evenings during the tourney which was great. I played games that were new for me (2048, Vec Man, Space Frenzy), I tried to max games I knew better (Minestorm, Cosmic Chasm, Frontier, Veccy Bird) and I got to revisit games I knew but neglected for the most part (Hyperchase, Berzerk). Sometimes I get frustrated because with job an family it sometimes feels like videogames are more about collecting than actual gaming nowadays. That’s why I love the week of intense Vectrex play and I am looking forward to the next tourney already. Great to see people from tournaments in the past as well as new players. Great to learn about old and knew games. Awesome to see the achievements of the top players. Great to see that developers get inspired by the tournament to improve games. Thank you Helmut for organizing and donating prizes, thank you fruktodlaren for investing your time and skills to provide very special prizes , thank you everyone. fmml
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Post by VectorX on Nov 8, 2019 12:53:57 GMT -5
^Greatly said! If I had more time, I'd have played a few more games like Frontier or submitted higher scores. Yep, unfortunately time is the enemy for most of us. I didn't get in as much time as I wanted to either but oh well.
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Post by hcmffm on Nov 9, 2019 6:48:08 GMT -5
Peer : Thank you for even more Vec-Man improvements, Peer. I'll check out the latest version on the week-end. fmml : Thank you, Roland, for your nice words and your thank you. Actually, like Chainsaw and you it also gives me some warm feelings to see veterans every year. A bit of tradition. Vector War and Vectrex keyrings/dog tags
Tony ( fruktodlaren) has donated the aluminum cartridge shell as prize. In addition, Tony has crafted Vector War and Vectrex keyrings (dog tags): The keyrings are made of aluminum and are 4.5cm x 2cm in size. Four different styles are available. Everyone who has qualified in Vector War IX can get a keyring for free - only shipping costs must be paid which are 3,70 EUR worldwide. If you want a keyring please send me a PM with your postal address and choice (top-left, top-right, bottom-Left, bottom-Right). fruktodlaren: Thank you very much, Tony, for your cool donations for the Vector War!
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Post by fruktodlaren on Nov 9, 2019 17:35:44 GMT -5
Thank you very much, Tony, for your cool donations for the Vector War! I'm happy that I can contribute with something.
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Post by playvectrex on Nov 9, 2019 19:08:31 GMT -5
Playvectrex: Your video is showing exactly the effect that I get when I reach a level with star dust, but if I remember correct, not with the fireball mines in level 3 (?!). I often also get strange sound effects when this happens... Mhhh so according to Parabellum and Malban, it seems the ROM files are the problem - but also on real machines...?! Seems there is no fixed versions available on Vectrex websites, especially not the original ROM with level 13 bug or the later version with star dust at level 32 (or somethere) that runs until level 89 (where not all dots will open)... If somebody knows something or can help, then: please help :-) Based on the description of the problem by Parabellum, I created a simple fix for Minestorm 2 by padding the cart with 0x01's for the full 32KB. Probably not necessary to go past 8KB, but who cares if you are just throwing it onto a VecFlash / VecMulti or something else. I'm not sure if this will fix the issues you see on the stardust levels, but you can download the binary here: www.facebook.com/groups/vectrex/permalink/1138995476310828/
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