Crystals For Life 2014

2014-02-09 03:55:05 pm

AKA Kokoronis

Hi guys, I wanted to ask about contributing to the prizes for the marathon! I'm a digital artist, though I also do crafts sometimes as a hobby. I've been wanting to do some contributions for SDA's speedrunning marathons for a while now. For reference, you can browse my art here, and here if you just want to see video game stuff.

Magicfreak500

2014-02-09 08:50:08 pm

I'm still hoping to be able to make it though on the lack of work and funds is making it hard for me to be able to know I can fully go.

magicfreak500

2014-02-09 08:53:18 pm

Oh don't mind my last post on the way it is I forgot to login when I did. Plus Poxnor if I can't make it I will let you know way before C4L.

AlecK47

2014-02-10 08:38:02 pm

I looked at the AGDQ suggestions and feedback thread and a couple things caught my eye regarding PC games.

Quote from mikwuyma:

We'll specify what capture setup we're using for PC games so runners can try to prepare for the setup ahead of time

This is definitely something we can improve on. Mind you, specifying what our setup is won't guarantee that your game will work on our setup without testing, so testing is still crucial.

[...]

No PC games until 24 or 36 hours into the marathon

So part of the problem with PC games is that we had a block within the first 24 hours, which didn't give a lot of time for setting up games or working through technical problems. It's a better idea to just not have any PC games within the first 24 hours of the marathon in case if there's issues we need to work out.

The schedule is going to have to change regardless, and I think PC setup should be a major point of emphasis - especially because setting up for Mass Effect, while not ridiculous by any means, isn't trivial either. Other games have quirks as well, such as Oblivion being unable to handle multiple displays (unless it's a single display that is duplicated). I think it's safe to say that for C4L we won't have quite the same resources as a GDQ, so more time to make sure the PC setup goes smoothly would be a good thing - as would anything that might affect said runs, such as the streaming setup requiring a certain aspect ratio, if there will only be one monitor, etc.

I'm sure at least some of this has occurred to people involved in such matters but I just want to be sure it's out there. We all know what happens when you assume. Tongue

I looked at the AGDQ suggestions and feedback thread and a couple things caught my eye regarding PC games.
[quote="mikwuyma"][b]We'll specify what capture setup we're using for PC games so runners can try to prepare for the setup ahead of time[/b]

This is definitely something we can improve on. Mind you, specifying what our setup is won't guarantee that your game will work on our setup without testing, so testing is still crucial.

[...]

[b]No PC games until 24 or 36 hours into the marathon[/b]

So part of the problem with PC games is that we had a block within the first 24 hours, which didn't give a lot of time for setting up games or working through technical problems. It's a better idea to just not have any PC games within the first 24 hours of the marathon in case if there's issues we need to work out.[/quote]
The schedule is going to have to change regardless, and I think PC setup should be a major point of emphasis - especially because setting up for Mass Effect, while not ridiculous by any means, isn't trivial either.  Other games have quirks as well, such as Oblivion being unable to handle multiple displays (unless it's a single display that is duplicated).  I think it's safe to say that for C4L we won't have quite the same resources as a GDQ, so more time to make sure the PC setup goes smoothly would be a good thing - as would anything that might affect said runs, such as the streaming setup requiring a certain aspect ratio, if there will only be one monitor, etc.

I'm sure at least some of this has occurred to people involved in such matters but I just want to be sure it's out there.  We all know what happens when you assume. :P

Sir VG

2014-02-10 10:01:16 pm

Fucking Weeaboo

This should be less of an issue for us, because we've got much fewer games (and fewer PC games) so we can focus on getting it to work while we're playing another game.

FFgamer86

Edit history:

FFgamer86: 2014-02-11 02:28:16 pm

2014-02-11 02:20:41 pm

SDA Speedruns: 1

We got dates for the event now. What dates are we flying in and out on so I can start looking up prices for tickets. Trying to figure out how much its going to cost me to be able to go.

EDIT: Somehow I made it onto commentary for Terranigma, I havent even seen that game before so don't think I'd be the best for commentary. Could I be removed from that game and possibly added to FFIV Commentary. Not sure how many commentators you want per game but looks like your limiting it to "looks-like" 3 per game.

MetaSigma

2014-02-11 04:45:00 pm

Evermore Extrodinare ᕦ(° Д°)ᕤ

Yeah take FFGamer out and me in for Terranigma Tongue

FFgamer86

2014-02-11 10:31:26 pm

SDA Speedruns: 1

Speaking of Meta, if Meta wants me on Evermore, I could commentate that game a bit. I seen a few runs and would only need some notes on what to talk about.

Highspirits

Edit history:

Highspirits: 2014-02-12 01:59:09 am

2014-02-12 01:58:32 am

Notes you need for Meta HYPE Evermore run.

1. Flex
2. Flex
3. Blame the plants for everything
4. Flex

Tohmane

2014-02-12 03:04:34 am

Execute.

Don't forget the dog.

MetaSigma

2014-02-12 04:01:40 am

Evermore Extrodinare ᕦ(° Д°)ᕤ

Quote from Highspirits:

Notes you need for Meta HYPE Evermore run.

1. Flex
2. Flex
3. Blame Panda for everything
4. Flex

Fixed

Ginzuishou

Edit history:

Ginzuishou: 2014-02-12 09:22:26 am

2014-02-12 09:22:06 am

Quote from MetaSigma:

Notes you need for Meta HYPE Evermore run.

1. Flex
2. Flex
3. Blame Panda, flowers, dog, controller for everything
4. Flex

Truly fixed =)

FFgamer86

2014-02-13 02:40:23 pm

SDA Speedruns: 1

The current estimate for Suikoden is 5:00 and should be 5:45 instead. My current best run for 108 stars is 4:49 and 5:00 estimate is too close to the run definitely with possible donation incentive stuff.

Poxnor

2014-02-13 03:13:27 pm

Moo! Flap! Hug!

Okay, I'll get around to fixing these things up later tonight. I'm about two pages behind in first-post updates.

It's getting pretty close to marathon time, but I was wondering if anyone attending is willing to commit to learning and really getting a good time on The Demon Rush. It may seem odd for me to focus on this one game, but TDR was quite a loss for the marathon. Due to the unusual nature of this request, I'm not "counting" TDR as a game in my unique scheme of distributing games. If multiple people want to do this, we'll pick someone; so, don't feel like you can't get in on this just because someone else posted before you.

Raelcun

2014-02-13 03:39:45 pm

We require more minerals

What is a good time for TDR? It's something I could look into. I'm kind of that guy who runs crazy games anyway. I can't guarantee that I'd be able to keep my sanity with that game until May, but having an estimate of how long of a run we're talking would be useful.

Poxnor

2014-02-13 03:40:38 pm

Moo! Flap! Hug!

Mike was thinking 4:30:00, but I'm unaware of how confident he was on that estimate.

Driscollad

2014-02-13 08:10:07 pm

I wanted to update on an idea I had for a Soul Blazer incentive. As is, there aren't many exciting ones, but then I thought I could relate a donation war akin to save / kill the animals. There are 5 souls (one is mandatory) who offer a passive ability in exchange for their respective freedoms. I am going to test routing and added time this week but it shouldn't bloat the estimate at all. Perhaps "Save our souls! Vs. Let em burn!"

Poxnor

2014-02-13 10:59:03 pm

Moo! Flap! Hug!

Giant first post update. This update should bring everything up to date.

Lag.Com: Added you to commentary. I see no problem with adding character portraits as a bidding incentive. Are there easy descriptions for them? If there are lots, we might just want to choose 3-5 of them to make available in the bidding war (?).

rinimt: Removed you from SO3 commentary, per your request. If the revised schedule makes you want back in, just let me know.

Rane: I am proceeding under an honest belief that I'll have the final costs sooner rather than later. I moved Sweet Home to the weekend, anyhow (that was honestly the best place for it in the new schedule, anyhow). If you need to bow out once you have final costs, I can remove it.

AlecK47: added you to commentary for CT and FFX.

Caracarn: Your first game is now Thursday afternoon.

Potato Handle: I pulled you out of FF6 and FF7 commentary; but, if you manage to learn the games, you can get right back in.

Raelcun: I don't think 22 names is unreasonable, but the consensus seems to be 12. I'll go with whatever people think is best.

Sonira: Thank you very much for the offer to contribute. Your work looks great Smiley

Someone (who probably won't be me) will create a prize thread soon.

FFGamer86: Fixed your commentary. I didn't have a commentary limit, but I'll impose one if any game starts getting out of hand. I figured it would probably be self-limiting. For longer games, anyhow, people should rotate. If you're commentating for more than 3-4 hours, you're probably losing focus on the commentary and just falling into watching the game. Re: Evermore - I'll let you and Meta discuss and get back to me. Fixed the Suikoden time.

MetaSigma: Added you to Terranigma.

To everyone, about when you're playing your game: it's a 24-hour-per-day marathon. Someone has to play at night. In many cases, it wasn't even a matter of which game/runner is most popular, though I'd be lying if I said that wasn't a factor. We were very conscious of things like which runs are more popular in Europe (there are games that barely anyone in North America has heard of, but which were popular overseas). Sorry, but France is 8 hours ahead of Edmonton, and not even I can change that. Sydney, Australia is 18 hours ahead (easiest to think of it as 6 hours behind). Where there are serious concerns about time slots (e.g., I can only come for the weekend), I'll adjust. But, "I don't like my time slot" is not a legitimate reason for me to uproot a schedule affecting around 40 participants.

With that aside, here's a new revision to the schedule:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AjWIEEVsJx1RdFZOYXYwWDZJa1lXaFgydVNqNFFPR2c&usp=sharing

Another thing: I leave in a few hours for the Dominican Republic for my sister-in-law's wedding. I honestly don't know what sort of connectivity I'll have there. I'll try to check in and answer quick questions. But, regardless of whether I do or don't manage to check in, puwexil has my full confidence and full authority to speak on anything to do with games, schedule, or incentives.

Giant first post update.  This update should bring everything up to date.

Lag.Com: Added you to commentary. I see no problem with adding character portraits as a bidding incentive.  Are there easy descriptions for them?  If there are lots, we might just want to choose 3-5 of them to make available in the bidding war (?).

rinimt: Removed you from SO3 commentary, per your request.  If the revised schedule makes you want back in, just let me know.

Rane: I am proceeding under an honest belief that I'll have the final costs sooner rather than later.  I moved Sweet Home to the weekend, anyhow (that was honestly the best place for it in the new schedule, anyhow).  If you need to bow out once you have final costs, I can remove it.

AlecK47: added you to commentary for CT and FFX.

Caracarn: Your first game is now Thursday afternoon.

Potato Handle: I pulled you out of FF6 and FF7 commentary; but, if you manage to learn the games, you can get right back in.

Raelcun: I don't think 22 names is unreasonable, but the consensus seems to be 12.  I'll go with whatever people think is best.

Sonira: Thank you very much for the offer to contribute.  Your work looks great :)  Someone (who probably won't be me) will create a prize thread soon.

FFGamer86: Fixed your commentary.  I didn't have a commentary limit, but I'll impose one if any game starts getting out of hand.  I figured it would probably be self-limiting.  For longer games, anyhow, people should rotate.  If you're commentating for more than 3-4 hours, you're probably losing focus on the commentary and just falling into watching the game.  Re: Evermore - I'll let you and Meta discuss and get back to me.  Fixed the Suikoden time.

MetaSigma: Added you to Terranigma.

To everyone, about when you're playing your game: it's a 24-hour-per-day marathon.  Someone has to play at night.  In many cases, it wasn't even a matter of which game/runner is most popular, though I'd be lying if I said that wasn't a factor.  We were very conscious of things like which runs are more popular in Europe (there are games that barely anyone in North America has heard of, but which were popular overseas).  Sorry, but France is 8 hours ahead of Edmonton, and not even I can change that.  Sydney, Australia is 18 hours ahead (easiest to think of it as 6 hours behind).  Where there are serious concerns about time slots (e.g., I can only come for the weekend), I'll adjust.  But, "I don't like my time slot" is not a legitimate reason for me to uproot a schedule affecting around 40 participants.

With that aside, here's a new revision to the schedule:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AjWIEEVsJx1RdFZOYXYwWDZJa1lXaFgydVNqNFFPR2c&usp=sharing

Another thing: I leave in a few hours for the Dominican Republic for my sister-in-law's wedding.  I honestly don't know what sort of connectivity I'll have there.  I'll try to check in and answer quick questions.  But, regardless of whether I do or don't manage to check in, puwexil has my full confidence and full authority to speak on anything to do with games, schedule, or incentives.

FFgamer86

2014-02-14 01:05:57 am

SDA Speedruns: 1

Meta is good on commentators for Evermore so you can leave me off of that 1. Thanks for fixing it.

Also what system is TDR on? I have already finished routing my game, and do have some spare time for another. I am going to be practicing Suikoden some more once March/April comes around just so that I am fresh on the subject come Marathon time.

Poxnor

2014-02-14 01:07:00 am

Moo! Flap! Hug!

TDR is a PC game. It's available for free at http://www.dragoon.ca Take a minute to read the front page Smiley

FFgamer86

Edit history:

FFgamer86: 2014-02-14 01:56:10 am

2014-02-14 01:07:28 am

SDA Speedruns: 1

Thanks will do.

EDIT: I can do commentary for FFX as well. Did commentary for it last year and the route hasnt changed too much other than a few glitches.

Keypaladin

2014-02-14 02:11:29 am

The Wayward Wanderer

I noticed that my commentary request for Final Fantasy Adventure and Legend of Mana weren't added to the first page or the schedule.

Poxnor

Edit history:

Poxnor: 2014-02-14 02:21:12 am

2014-02-14 02:20:55 am

Moo! Flap! Hug!

Done and done.

...and how in the heck is FFA tied for wanting the most commentators? There isn't a lot of game to rotate people in and out, on this one. We might have to either (a) compromise; or, (b) think of something clever and fun Smiley

Keypaladin

2014-02-14 02:24:11 am

The Wayward Wanderer

Quote from Poxnor:

We might have to either (a) compromise; or, (b) think of something clever and fun Smiley

Each person voice a character?

Highspirits

2014-02-14 02:24:27 am

Everyone wants to be close to you obviously.