Final Fantasy VIII

2008-06-25 10:50:29 am

Dum die dum

Quote from darkwasabi:

Yes they are forced battles and yes, that's where I learn Boost with Shiva. I learn it with Shiva because she doesn't have any essential abilities that I need learned ASAP and her attack animation is shorter.

Smart move, true it is shorter. Still waiting on an anwser first anyways. Smiley

Maglok

2008-06-26 02:52:39 am

Dum die dum

Here is an update on me encoding the segments I have recorded. I have downloaded the latest beta of Anri-chan, which, so far, is turning out to be an awesome script.

I am able to produce low and medium quality mp4 no problem, though I hardly see a difference. Both are 320x240 @ 30.00 fps. Though the medium one is 20 mb for 4:22, while the low is 8 mb for 4:22. I don't see the difference really.

Now this is where it get's interesting. High quality is 640x480 @ 60 fps. I have recorded at 640x480 @ 60 fps, so that should be a good fit. I question the use of 60 fps though with a game like FF8, but ok. It seems to tell me it can't do the second pass though.

Final point of note: Since I have 640x480 (max in normal FF8 resolution) is going for insane and ultra insane basically useless?

I am trying to find this out so I can upload my segment on the failed Quetzalcoatl bit to YouTube, to see what you think.

darkwasabi

2008-06-26 11:54:41 am

King of hearts

Quote from Abaddon:

Oh, wasabi.. is this just a formal visit or did you get back on your run?

maybe...

mikwuyma

2008-06-26 12:51:23 pm

My feelings on The Demon Rush

Quote from Maglok:

Final point of note: Since I have 640x480 (max in normal FF8 resolution) is going for insane and ultra insane basically useless?

Pretty much, they're not required anyways.

Maglok

2008-07-09 02:53:32 am

Dum die dum

Alright, well there was some miscommunication, but the official verdict is: If you can work around it, don't use the launcher.

So that means I will not change the soundfonts nor will I use the launcher. I am going to see if I can test some capturing with only software rendering, I do hope my system will take it, otherwise I am back to needing a launcher. Smiley

I also figure I don't need a restart for mabye a minute less gametime on a 8 hour run anyways. I will have to reinstall FF8 (since I did a reinstall of windows), but saves are all save.

Carcinogen

2008-07-09 03:39:27 am

Back them up before you do though. Installers can be a little finicky.

Maglok

2008-07-09 04:12:05 am

Dum die dum

I always do, I make a copy on my external drive everytime I finish a segment. Easyness of PC games I guess.

Only risk is if my comp and my external drive both become unrecoverable, but I doubt it. Tongue

Abaddon

2008-07-09 03:15:32 pm

Heyyy... wait.. i don't know you. Don't confuse me

Let's hope so. I'd really need to see this run. ^^

Maglok

2008-07-10 02:45:10 am

Dum die dum

Didn't have to much time (I'm also working on painting my new house), but so far no luck. It is probably in some settings in either FF8 or FRAPS. It's the combination that kills the software rendering framerate. Still more tricks up my sleeve. *kracks knuckles*

GarlandG

2008-07-10 03:44:20 am

I will knock you all down!

Quote from Maglok:

Btw, question Garland. The time conversion between PC and PAL, etc. for FF7, would that apply to FF8 as well? If so we can have some more detailed times.

This is a pretty old question, and it was only luck that I found it now. Hopefully, it's not too late to answer it.

The PC version of FFVII is faster than the PS versions because it loads so much faster. Battles start almost immediately and it takes about 2 seconds to save. In regards of speed running, the PC version is estimated to be about 45 minutes faster the PS version. I have never played the PC version of FFVIII, but if you have it, you can easily find out if it's faster by timing how long it takes to load a battle and then compare it to the PS version.

As for the PS versions, the PAL version of FFVII is 5 minutes and 45 seconds (or something like that) because FMVs are run in normal speed while the clock is 1,2 times slower. I have no idea how this is in FFVIII, but I know it's very different in FFIX. There, the clock runs on normal speed, while the game is 1,2 times slower, so it's impossible to do the Excalibur 2 Perfect Game. It's also much harder to get Excalibur 2.

[quote="Maglok"]Btw, question Garland. The time conversion between PC and PAL, etc. for FF7, would that apply to FF8 as well? If so we can have some more detailed times.[/quote]

This is a pretty old question, and it was only luck that I found it now. Hopefully, it's not too late to answer it.

The PC version of FFVII is faster than the PS versions because it loads so much faster. Battles start almost immediately and it takes about 2 seconds to save. In regards of speed running, the PC version is estimated to be about 45 minutes faster the PS version. I have never played the PC version of FFVIII, but if you have it, you can easily find out if it's faster by timing how long it takes to load a battle and then compare it to the PS version.

As for the PS versions, the PAL version of FFVII is 5 minutes and 45 seconds (or something like that) because FMVs are run in normal speed while the clock is 1,2 times slower. I have no idea how this is in FFVIII, but I know it's very different in FFIX. There, the clock runs on normal speed, while the game is 1,2 times slower, so it's impossible to do the Excalibur 2 Perfect Game. It's also much harder to get Excalibur 2.

Maglok

2008-07-10 04:05:31 am

Dum die dum

Considering FF8 is, like FF7, a PSX game, and we throw out the window any engine and loading improvements made, I'd need someone to time how long it takes for a battle to come up on the PSX version, because I don't own it. Let's say from the moment your screen goes blurry to the moment you actually see something on screen of the battle.

Though that might show the difference in battles, there doesn't seem to be a set way to convert PC times to PSX times (PAL or NTSC). Where did you pick up the 45 min estimate?

Abaddon

2008-07-10 04:38:22 am

Heyyy... wait.. i don't know you. Don't confuse me

I do have FF VIII but only a PS2 standing around. Should i give it a try with timing the battle conversions or would that be useless?

Maglok

2008-07-10 05:14:47 am

Dum die dum

I think anyone wanting to run the PSX version would probably try to run with the fastest hardware they have, so a PS2 should be sufficient.

I just realised, that a battle's loading time would probably also depend on what to load. More models, is probably a bigger loading time. Let's trivialize that though.

Abaddon

2008-07-10 09:37:12 pm

Heyyy... wait.. i don't know you. Don't confuse me

So you think an Ultimecia or Training Center in Balamb with a Dino battle loading screen would take longer to load than a fight in Balamb outside of the garden?

Maglok

2008-07-11 02:30:03 am

Dum die dum

Well obviously I don't know how exactly FF8 handles loading, but there are definately different amounts of polygons in models, and some models just have more textures, let's not even start comparing a flat grassland with buildings for example. I do think it wouldn't matter much, and that the most of the loading is in the actual combat system and area loading. It won't be accurate anyways.

The example you gave could actually very well have about the same loading time (if we didnt say it doesn't matter anyways), the Ultimecia model and the T-rexaur model are both rather 'complicated', hell the training center would probably load slower.

VippiN

2008-07-12 03:14:29 am

FF8 & FF12.. Long awaited runs.

I just wanted to confirm with you guys that release date is still 2013 for this speed run? Still is? Cool - Thanks.

Maglok

2008-07-13 04:10:43 am

Dum die dum

To quote a certain famous game development company: It's done when it's done!

Maglok

2008-07-13 04:46:01 am

Dum die dum

Sorry for the double post. I just spend some hours messing with settings.

Some bad news I am afraid. Yes my computer can software render the game while recording (I think fraps uses your vidcard anyways so), but the quality is pretty bad. The models are less sharp overall, backgrounds look bad and there are some artifacts introduced in backgrounds.

Take this shot for example, check the red circled bits. Most screens are worse then this:

(Ignore the number, it's me checking the framerate with fraps. Also ignore the lower right F-lock message, it's me putting my keyboard in the modus so that print screen is not the insert button. Tongue

Either I need a way for the nvidia drivers to render FF8 correctly or I really have to delve into the custom launcher. :*( Anyone any idea left?

In other news I did time how long it took for a battle to come up. I took the Diablos lamp and used it. Music started immediately of course, but the fight appeared in about 3 seconds.

Sorry for the double post. I just spend some hours messing with settings.

Some bad news I am afraid. Yes my computer can software render the game while recording (I think fraps uses your vidcard anyways so), but the quality is pretty bad. The models are less sharp overall, backgrounds look bad and there are some artifacts introduced in backgrounds.

Take this shot for example, check the red circled bits. Most screens are worse then this:
[img]http://www.symbols-larp.com/personal/render.jpg[/img]
(Ignore the number, it's me checking the framerate with fraps. Also ignore the lower right F-lock message, it's me putting my keyboard in the modus so that print screen is not the insert button. :P

Either I need a way for the nvidia drivers to render FF8 correctly or I really have to delve into the custom launcher. :*( Anyone any idea left?

In other news I did time how long it took for a battle to come up. I took the Diablos lamp and used it. Music started immediately of course, but the fight appeared in about 3 seconds.

Ver Greeneyes

2008-07-13 10:23:13 am

Forgive me for not reading back, but did you check www.qhimm.com's forums for advice on getting it to render correctly? (in FF7 you have to enable 8-bit textures in rivatuner, IIRC, but I never played FF8)

edpitt

2008-07-13 03:23:57 pm

I love YaBB 1G - SP1!

i know it might be diffucult but can you get a shot of a screen that looks bad cause that does not look very bad to me and it definately would not stop me from watching

Carcinogen

2008-07-13 07:50:50 pm

Quote from Maglok:

To quote a certain famous game development company: It's done when it's done!

If we're on the same page, that's in reference to the longest running April Fool's joke in the gaming industry.

Maglok

2008-07-14 03:34:37 am

Dum die dum

Quote from Ver Greeneyes:

Forgive me for not reading back, but did you check www.qhimm.com's forums for advice on getting it to render correctly? (in FF7 you have to enable 8-bit textures in rivatuner, IIRC, but I never played FF8)

@Ver Greeneyes: We've gone over this before, but basically the default FF8 configuration tool will not let you fix display issues with nVidia cards. For that you need a custom launcher, I guess your link is also mostly custom stuff, I checked it. The problem is that SDA much rather have you don't run anything custom with FF8 to speedrun it.

@Edpitt: It's quite noticeable, also the graphics themselves are less sharp and in a 3d battle environment you really notice the bad surroundings. This just won't do.

@Carcinogen: I meant Blizzard always not setting a releasedate saying they will once it's done.

Well that's it then, if I cannot run a custom launcher (that doesnt actually CHANGE code, but only sets some driver things) I cannot continue running FF8. :*(

[quote="Ver Greeneyes"]
Forgive me for not reading back, but did you check www.qhimm.com's forums for advice on getting it to render correctly? (in FF7 you have to enable 8-bit textures in rivatuner, IIRC, but I never played FF8)
[/quote]

@Ver Greeneyes: We've gone over this before, but basically the default FF8 configuration tool will not let you fix display issues with nVidia cards. For that you need a custom launcher, I guess your link is also mostly custom stuff, I checked it. The problem is that SDA much rather have you don't run anything custom with FF8 to speedrun it.

@Edpitt: It's quite noticeable, also the graphics themselves are less sharp and in a 3d battle environment you really notice the bad surroundings. This just won't do.

@Carcinogen: I meant Blizzard always not setting a releasedate saying they will once it's done.

Well that's it then, if I cannot run a custom launcher (that doesnt actually CHANGE code, but only sets some driver things) I cannot continue running FF8. :*(

Carcinogen

2008-07-14 12:01:29 pm

Nobody's going to get pissed off at a few 'artifacts'.

Is it fucking with the gameplay?

Ver Greeneyes

2008-07-14 04:30:02 pm

Quote from Maglok:

@Ver Greeneyes: We've gone over this before, but basically the default FF8 configuration tool will not let you fix display issues with nVidia cards. For that you need a custom launcher, I guess your link is also mostly custom stuff, I checked it. The problem is that SDA much rather have you don't run anything custom with FF8 to speedrun it.

Hmm, well what does the custom launcher do to improve matters? If you can pin it down, perhaps it's something you can enable in the display driver (therefore making it a global setting, rather than something you need a launcher for; the fix for FF7 was like that, as changing it in Rivatuner effects any DX7 game you play). If I can get my hands on a copy of FF8 I'll give it a shot - though I'm on holiday at the moment Tongue

Maglok

2008-07-15 02:04:52 am

Dum die dum

The custom launcher 'fixes' the graphic bugs, and optionally allows you to set some things like animating the shoreline and most 'importantly' it let's you change resolution, not that I want to use that. It does not explain how it does this.

I will approach a mod about this, cause it's a runkiller so far, yes it's plainly bad graphics, very bad.