Final Fantasy 1 - Segmented (Run Submitted!)

Edit history:

WarMech: 2008-02-15 12:50:10 am

2007-09-19 08:00:29 pm

I have now begun recording the run. The timing of each segment begins as I gain control of the character and ends when the game displays the "Now Saving" message. Please see Page 5 of this thread for the complete route.

SEGMENT # TIME (TARGET TIME)
Segment 01 - 3:14 (3:30)
Segment 02 - 3:23 (3:30)
Segment 03 - 1:29 (1:30)
Segment 04 - 1:22 (1:30)
Segment 05 - 1:18 (1:30)
Segment 06 - 2:40 (2:30)
Segment 07 - :36 (:30)
Segment 08 - 1:06 (1:00)
Segment 09 - :55 (1:00)
Segment 10 - 1:02 (1:00)
Segment 11 - 2:40 (2:30)
Segment 12 - 1:21 (3:00)
Segment 13 - 4:45 (6:00)
Segment 14 - :38 (1:00)
Segment 15 - 3:00 (4:00)
Segment 16 - 2:58 (3:00)
Segment 17 - 1:12 (1:30)
Segment 18 - x:xx (2:30)
Segment 19 - (:30)
Segment 20 - (1:30)
Segment 21 - (6:00)
Segment 22 - (5:30)
Segment 23 - (7:00)
Segment 24 - (4:00)
Segment 25 - (10:00)
Segment 26 - (1:30)
Segment 27 - (3:15)
Segment 28 - (2:30)
Segment 29 - (9:00)
Segment 30 - (8:00)
Segment 31 - (24:00)
Segment 32 - (6:00)
Segment 33 - (11:30)
Segment 34 - (4:30)
Segment 35 - (10:00)
Segment 36 - (8:00)
Segment 37 - (20:00)

-WarMech

I have now begun recording the run.  The timing of each segment begins as I gain control of the character and ends when the game displays the "Now Saving" message.  Please see Page 5 of this thread for the complete route.

SEGMENT #   TIME  (TARGET TIME)
Segment 01 - 3:14 (3:30)
Segment 02 - 3:23 (3:30)
Segment 03 - 1:29 (1:30)
Segment 04 - 1:22 (1:30)
Segment 05 - 1:18 (1:30)
Segment 06 - 2:40 (2:30)
Segment 07 -   :36 (:30) 
Segment 08 - 1:06 (1:00)
Segment 09 -   :55 (1:00)
Segment 10 - 1:02 (1:00)
Segment 11 - 2:40 (2:30)
Segment 12 - 1:21 (3:00)
Segment 13 - 4:45 (6:00)
Segment 14 -   :38 (1:00)
Segment 15 - 3:00 (4:00)
Segment 16 - 2:58 (3:00)
Segment 17 - 1:12 (1:30)
Segment 18 - x:xx (2:30)
Segment 19 -          (:30)
Segment 20 -          (1:30)
Segment 21 -          (6:00)
Segment 22 -          (5:30)
Segment 23 -          (7:00)
Segment 24 -          (4:00)
Segment 25 -          (10:00)
Segment 26 -          (1:30)
Segment 27 -          (3:15)
Segment 28 -          (2:30)
Segment 29 -          (9:00)
Segment 30 -          (8:00)
Segment 31 -          (24:00)
Segment 32 -          (6:00)
Segment 33 -          (11:30)
Segment 34 -          (4:30)
Segment 35 -          (10:00)
Segment 36 -          (8:00)
Segment 37 -          (20:00)

-WarMech

WarMech

Edit history:

WarMech: 2007-09-23 08:54:51 pm

2007-09-23 07:30:17 pm

Another quick technology question. My first two segments have been awesome from a technical point of view (not that I'm giving away the specifics just yet Wink

), but not so much from a technological one. The VHS seems to have a bit of a problem balancing the sound level for the first 10-15 seconds of each segment, and then it seems to level out and its fine. I have been letting the tape run for about 15 seconds before I turn the power on to the NES, but might it be a better idea to let the tape run on the "Start-up" screen for 15 seconds until the volume levels out, and then hit continue and begin playing. I'd rather not restart the run altogether, but if you think the minor quality infringement is a problem for these two segments, then I would definitely start again since I'm only three segments in. From a video point of view, I think the run looks great (in comparison to the NES II / Old Recording methods), especially if it gets accepted and converted to digital.

EDIT: I tried letting the tape run for a bit while I was on the startup screen while recording my third segment, and the audio was fine. I will still record over the first three segments if it's really a problem.

-WarMech

Another quick technology question.  My first two segments have been awesome from a technical point of view (not that I'm giving away the specifics just yet ;) ), but not so much from a technological one.  The VHS seems to have a bit of a problem balancing the sound level for the first 10-15 seconds of each segment, and then it seems to level out and its fine.  I have been letting the tape run for about 15 seconds before I turn the power on to the NES, but might it be a better idea to let the tape run on the "Start-up" screen for 15 seconds until the volume levels out, and then hit continue and begin playing.  I'd rather not restart the run altogether, but if you think the minor quality infringement is a problem for these two segments, then I would definitely start again since I'm only three segments in.  From a video point of view, I think the run looks great (in comparison to the NES II / Old Recording methods), especially if it gets accepted and converted to digital.

EDIT:  I tried letting the tape run for a bit while I was on the startup screen while recording my third segment, and the audio was fine.  I will still record over the first three segments if it's really a problem.

-WarMech

Essentia

2007-09-24 06:12:54 pm

Everything's better with Magitek

I don't think it should be a problem if it's only on two segments. (I'm not an official on it, though, so if you want to be sure you're okay, you might ask in the tech support forum.) Just make sure that it doesn't happen on the rest of the segments. Wink

Also, I want to wish you good luck! I can't wait to see a run of this game.

mikwuyma

2007-09-24 06:26:18 pm

My feelings on The Demon Rush

It's not really a problem WarMech, but Nate might cringe a bit :P.

Enhasa

2007-09-29 10:38:41 pm

everybody wanna tell you the meaning of music

I agree, don't worry about it.

Quote:

It's not really a problem WarMech, but Nate might cringe a bit :P.

You forgot about the part where your run takes 6+ months to go through the system while you watch everything else get posted and then you commit suicide. Tongue

mikwuyma

2007-09-30 08:30:01 am

My feelings on The Demon Rush

Quote:

You forgot about the part where your run takes 6+ months to go through the system while you watch everything else get posted and then you commit suicide. Tongue

Hey, that only happens to about 10% of runs :-/

WarMech

2007-10-05 10:33:01 pm

The new way of recording has definitely helped and I'm sure the quality is acceptable for an NES run (certainly in comparison to the NES II). I've now finished 10 segments and am about 30 seconds ahead of my target times. 8) It would have been closer to a minute, but I forgot to incorporate the level-ups to some of the segments. I also made one stupid 15 second mistake that I'll take about when I'm finished. FF1, unlike other RPGs, does not allow you to save multiple files, so I'm at a real disadvantage when it comes to finishing my segment. I need to decide whether or not I'm going to keep a segment before I even finish it because when I save, there's no going back, and no trying again for a "perfect" time. While I'm sure this run will turn out great, there will always be room for improvement because of this lovely feature. Even still, I know all the hardcore FF fans out there will understand, and tearing this game apart for a speedrun is way more fun than I could have imagined. Grin

WarMech

The new way of recording has definitely helped and I'm sure the quality is acceptable for an NES run (certainly in comparison to the NES II).  I've now finished 10 segments and am about 30 seconds ahead of my target times.  8)  It would have been closer to a minute, but I forgot to incorporate the level-ups to some of the segments.  I also made one stupid 15 second mistake that I'll take about when I'm finished.  FF1, unlike other RPGs, does not allow you to save multiple files, so I'm at a real disadvantage when it comes to finishing my segment.  I need to decide whether or not I'm going to keep a segment before I even finish it because when I save, there's no going back, and no trying again for a "perfect" time.  While I'm sure this run will turn out great, there will always be room for improvement because of this lovely feature.  Even still, I know all the hardcore FF fans out there will understand, and tearing this game apart for a speedrun is way more fun than I could have imagined.   ;D

WarMech

2007-10-29 05:38:12 am

I haven't forgotten about you guys and am still hoping to have the run completed by the end of the year!! I'll have a chance to record some more segments this week now that I'm done midterms and now that the Red Sox have finally won it all!!! Grin

WarMech

Edit history:

WarMech: 2007-12-14 04:27:03 am

2007-12-14 04:26:43 am

Contrary to popular belief, I haven't fallen off the face of the planet. I spent a little bit of time testing a new theory that I should have thought of before, only to find out that it actually costs me time overall and makes the whole run more aggravating. Needless to say, I have my hardest final exam tomorrow and hopefully can devote some time this weekend to working on the next few segments. I can't promise the run will be done by the end of the year, but I hope it's still worth watching when it gets done!

Carcinogen

2007-12-14 04:45:03 am

haha~

I got done with finals today myself.

In-class essays are not my bag =[

Good luck =D

WarMech

2008-01-21 08:34:59 am

WarMech: Always late but worth the wait Roll Eyes

I hope.

I apologize again for my lateness in getting these segments recorded and a very big thanks to Nate who granted me until May 1st to submit my run on VHS. I stupidly brought home the wrong copy of FF1 over Christmas break and had no way to get back to school for the last month to get it.

However, now that I'm back you can expect some serious updates in the next few weeks to push through the core part of the run. Tonight, I recorded segments 11 and 12 which both came out very well. A combination of better luck manipulation, a slight route adjustment, and Snorlax's suggestion added 10 seconds to the target of segment 11, but paid off ten times in segment 12 which was nearly 100 seconds faster than I originally predicted. A 3-hour run is certainly within reach and I appreciate all of you who are still interested in this missing link in the Final Fantasy series!

-WarMech

getter77

2008-01-21 01:34:32 pm

100% runs=great to watch

Huzzah! Best wishes on destroying the rest of the game WarMech. 8)

Carcinogen

2008-01-21 02:23:52 pm

Bitchin'.

Essentia

2008-01-23 07:44:55 pm

Everything's better with Magitek

You can do it! Smiley

ZenicReverie

2008-01-25 07:12:25 am

Waiting hurts my soul...

Nice to see you cut time off the run.

WarMech

Edit history:

WarMech: 2008-01-29 06:59:31 pm

2008-01-29 06:57:32 pm

Well... Fuck.

Today, I sat down to continue my painful streak of 250 failed Segment 13 (Marsh Cave) attempts, and in an effort to get the game running (which can take a few tries because it's old) my entire saved game was erased. Yes, 100% gone never to be retrieved again. I'm not sure whether I should be feeling anger, sadness, or just pain incredulity, but whatever it is, I'm not too happy right now.

I see three possibilities at this point and would love some input from anyone:

1) I do have the first 12 segments saved on VHS, and they look great. The beginning of Segment 13 begins with my party at full health at a save point that I can easily replicate in a future game. With the permissions of the admins, verifiers, or whoever, I could get to the exact point I'm at in a few hours time by creating a new game and re-running the first 12 segments in a non-speed run manner, and continue Segment 13 from the very point I was at when I lost my game. By following the same route I had, I would begin again at the exact same point in the game with the same experience, gold, items, weapons, armor, etc that I had in my old run. However, due to the way that the game manages level-ups, it is possible that my characters could have slightly different statistics (max HP, strength, agility) than they had in the previous run. The overall difference in the statistical quality of my characters would be negligible, but the difference would be there nontheless. If this is still acceptable, I would like to continue the run in this way.

2) If this is not acceptable, I could restart the run and try to come out with a much lower quality run through so the game could be finished by May 1st (the deadline for submitting on VHS). I would have to lower my standards so the run could be completed faster, because I don't think there is any other way of getting it done before May 1st since it has taken me several months to get to where I am now.

3) Finally, I could greatly postpone this run until next summer when I have the money and the time to create a new run using a DVD recorder. I just worry that if I continue to put this off more than I already have, I will lose all motivation and the project will be abandoned.

-WarMech Sad

Well... Fuck.

Today, I sat down to continue my painful streak of 250 failed Segment 13 (Marsh Cave) attempts, and in an effort to get the game running (which can take a few tries because it's old) my entire saved game was erased.  Yes, 100% gone never to be retrieved again. I'm not sure whether I should be feeling anger, sadness, or just pain incredulity, but whatever it is, I'm not too happy right now.

I see three possibilities at this point and would love some input from anyone:

1) I do have the first 12 segments saved on VHS, and they look great.  The beginning of Segment 13 begins with my party at full health at a save point that I can easily replicate in a future game.  With the permissions of the admins, verifiers, or whoever, I could get to the exact point I'm at in a few hours time by creating a new game and re-running the first 12 segments in a non-speed run manner, and continue Segment 13 from the very point I was at when I lost my game.  By following the same route I had, I would begin again at the exact same point in the game with the same experience, gold, items, weapons, armor, etc that I had in my old run.  However, due to the way that the game manages level-ups, it is possible that my characters could have slightly different statistics (max HP, strength, agility) than they had in the previous run.  The overall difference in the statistical quality of my characters would be negligible, but the difference would be there nontheless.  If this is still acceptable, I would like to continue the run in this way.

2) If this is not acceptable, I could restart the run and try to come out with a much lower quality run through so the game could be finished by May 1st (the deadline for submitting on VHS).  I would have to lower my standards so the run could be completed faster, because I don't think there is any other way of getting it done before May 1st since it has taken me several months to get to where I am now.

3) Finally, I could greatly postpone this run until next summer when I have the money and the time to create a new run using a DVD recorder.  I just worry that if I continue to put this off more than I already have, I will lose all motivation and the project will be abandoned.

-WarMech  :(

Carcinogen

Edit history:

Carcinogen: 2008-01-29 07:25:57 pm

2008-01-29 07:24:39 pm

mmm, I was afraid something like this would happen at some point.

I would say use Final Fantasy Origins, but enemies in there aren't very easily manipulated, are they?

Also, you might want to look into getting a new save battery for your cartridge. iirc, NES cartridges use watch batteries.

Essentia

2008-01-29 08:07:22 pm

Everything's better with Magitek

Option 1 sounds like it's the best, especially since there's no in-game timer. However, if you do that, you would have to make sure that your characters' statistics are the same as they were in your run; if not, the run really shouldn't pass verification. I really want to see this run, and it's too bad your game got erased.

mikwuyma

Edit history:

mikwuyma: 2008-01-29 08:11:08 pm

2008-01-29 08:10:14 pm

My feelings on The Demon Rush

Quote:

I see three possibilities at this point and would love some input from anyone:

1) I do have the first 12 segments saved on VHS, and they look great. The beginning of Segment 13 begins with my party at full health at a save point that I can easily replicate in a future game. With the permissions of the admins, verifiers, or whoever, I could get to the exact point I'm at in a few hours time by creating a new game and re-running the first 12 segments in a non-speed run manner, and continue Segment 13 from the very point I was at when I lost my game. By following the same route I had, I would begin again at the exact same point in the game with the same experience, gold, items, weapons, armor, etc that I had in my old run. However, due to the way that the game manages level-ups, it is possible that my characters could have slightly different statistics (max HP, strength, agility) than they had in the previous run. The overall difference in the statistical quality of my characters would be negligible, but the difference would be there nontheless. If this is still acceptable, I would like to continue the run in this way.

If you can actually make all conditions (outside of stats) the same, I'd let it slide. You shouldn't let the stats vary by more than a point or two though.

[quote]I see three possibilities at this point and would love some input from anyone:

1) I do have the first 12 segments saved on VHS, and they look great.  The beginning of Segment 13 begins with my party at full health at a save point that I can easily replicate in a future game.  With the permissions of the admins, verifiers, or whoever, I could get to the exact point I'm at in a few hours time by creating a new game and re-running the first 12 segments in a non-speed run manner, and continue Segment 13 from the very point I was at when I lost my game.  By following the same route I had, I would begin again at the exact same point in the game with the same experience, gold, items, weapons, armor, etc that I had in my old run.  However, due to the way that the game manages level-ups, it is possible that my characters could have slightly different statistics (max HP, strength, agility) than they had in the previous run.  The overall difference in the statistical quality of my characters would be negligible, but the difference would be there nontheless.  If this is still acceptable, I would like to continue the run in this way.[/quote]

If you can actually make all conditions (outside of stats) the same, I'd let it slide. You shouldn't let the stats vary by more than a point or two though.

WarMech

2008-01-29 08:27:50 pm

Wow, thanks a million mikwuyma. I owe you one. This is obviously the method I'd prefer since I'm a perfectionist and would have trouble accepting my first run being complete crap, and sadly, FF Origins really isn't the same game. At these low levels, I don't think my team's total statistics (Health, Strength, Vitality) will vary by more than a few points, maybe just a little bit between characters. I'll do what I can to manipulate my level-ups so that the run remains as identical as possible. Thanks again.

scaryice

2008-01-29 09:21:45 pm

Wow, that sucks. Sad

sunburstbasser

2008-01-29 11:19:03 pm

Silver Hawk!

I'm so sorry. Cry

I also think you should get your battery replaced before starting over.

Good luck this time around!

getter77

2008-01-29 11:34:10 pm

100% runs=great to watch

Definitely heed the folk encouraging you to get battery replacements and whatnot...what wipes ya once WILL do it again---you already have enough luck manipulation just in the game to worry about.

Good luck though...and glad to see the ruling on this is solid reasoning.

snorlax

2008-01-30 12:15:16 am

zzzzzzzzzz

Because you're never going to go to the status page, I don't think there's any way to verify whether your status remain the same other than max HP. If there's one thing you should try to keep consistent it would be that.

ShadowLaguna

2008-01-30 02:43:40 am

THE GAME!!

Sorry to hear. I hope you get back on track. Final Fantasy Origins was alright, but it just didn't have that FFI feel.