Username:
B
I
U
S
"
url
img
#
code
sup
sub
font
size
color
smiley
embarassed
thumbsup
happy
Huh?
Angry
Roll Eyes
Undecided
Lips Sealed
Kiss
Cry
Grin
Wink
Tongue
Shocked
Cheesy
Smiley
Sad
12 ->
--
--
List results:
Search options:
Use \ before commas in usernames
I'd actually like to get a run reasonable enough to submit to the site. I've got a sub-5 hour run done, but with plenty of mistakes. I'm sure I could cut it down at least 15-20 minutes. What do you think would be an acceptable time to submit, since there is no run on the site currently?
Thread title:  
SEGA Junkie
Without remembering too much about the game, the most important thing as far as SDA submission is just that it is good quality. Dot the i's and cross the t's with routing, and make sure your execution is solid. Normally you get a bit of leeway on execution across the course of five hours.

That said, five hours feels awfully long to me, I don't remember the game having that much to it. Have you got a video anywhere?
I'll record the next run I do, and it seems like a lot, but that's how long it takes, since most of the matches are 2 set 6 game, and the tournament matches are 3 sets 6 games each minimum. There are a total of 14 singles matches, 5 of them being of the best of 5 set variety, and 11 doubles matches, 4 of them being long. Take into account that all cutscenes are unskippable, and the six credit sequences that are added to the game timer, it adds up quickly lol.
six credit sequences... wow.
yeah it's dumb, but gives you a breather if you really need to pee or something. If I'm not mistaken, emulators are 100% banned for submissions, am I right? Because right now I'm just using VBA for the sake of recording convenience, but could get a cap card if necessary.
There's a word for that
Quote from SlasherManEXE:
If I'm not mistaken, emulators are 100% banned for submissions, am I right?
That's correct, unless I've missed some massive policy change. The final time doesn't really surprise me; the unforgiving levelling system makes it hard to raise more than two stat groups at once, which in turn makes it more difficult to get service and return aces consistently. Do you do any of the training games? The wall rounds in particular give more than enough exp to breeze through the junior matches, if you can complete them consistently first go.
Edit history:
SlasherManEXE: 2013-06-01 02:24:03 pm
I only do the first wall, then I go with zero speed until doubles. For junior I focus on power, senior I focus on control, and varsity/open I work on maxing both of them out. It works very well if you can anticipate well. Service aces are pretty much luck in senior and most of the open though. I just got another time (on emulator though) of 4:39 game time. I'm sure I can push it to at least below 4:35, maybe 4:30. I'll be getting a GB player and a capture card this summer, so I should be submitting a run sooner rather than later.
Willing to teach you the impossible
Quote from SlasherManEXE:
so I should be submitting a run sooner rather than later.

This may be a great understatement. You never really know how long it will take. Keep practicing and the run will come to you, not the other way around.
Willing to teach you the impossible
I forgot how funny it is when a player gets hit by the ball.

What is your route? What is your rational for taking it?
Edit history:
Heidrage: 2013-05-29 01:44:03 pm
Willing to teach you the impossible
Kinda wish with this thread had more activity...

I did a bit of tinkering with some ideas. I did the wall ball level 1 and played the first match with 2 files. In one I 6-0 two sets back to back. In the other I 6-4 2 sets back to back (allowing them to ace serves while trying to run into the ball). The 6-0 was faster but yielded less experience. After wall ball you end up at level 8. After the 6-0 games I ended at level 9. The 6-4 games ended at level 10.

I came to the conclusion that it might be a good idea to manage your experience a small bit. You still have not responded with your leveling up route, but I see power and control being the big 2 (super minimal testing). Being how the games lowers your stats as you level up in some areas, I figured it would be a good idea to get to the ideal stats then dump all experience into your doubles partner to be sure you keep the stats and dont suffer anywhere.

I dont know if spin or speed would be best yet. In theory, spin can lean to more aces but speed allows way more consistent late game matches being able to follow the higher level players.

So I ask again, what is your intended route so far and why?
There's a word for that
Nice find! Can't say I ever explicitly noticed this myself back in the day. I did wonder if number end-match bonuses (aces etc.) altered the exp gain, but that doesn't appear to be right. Ideally, I'll guess the matches would have gone something like this:
6-0 matches: 3 games of service aces and 3 games of return aces per set
6-4 matches: 5 games of service aces and 1 game of return aces per set, along with 4 games lost on purpose
Unless service aces have higher 'weighting', these would give the same number of bonuses in total, which would appear to indicate that the extra experience does in fact come from the increased match length. However, unless this can be used at some point to gain a lot of experience (I'm talking 5-10 levels here, or enough to greatly increase the chance of service aces in some given match), it doesn't sound at all worth the obvious time cost, particularly when there's so much experience on offer by merely doing more wall training or putting on some Iron gear (or both, even!).

With absolutely nothing in Speed (particularly Reaction and Stop, which the Light Shoes will not help with), it becomes very difficult in the mid to late game to control return aces or deal with any sort of protracted rally. I'd say it's tolerable starting when the sub-stats are around the 4-5 mark, maybe slightly less for the player partner. Spin may have to sit out simply because there's no room for it, while the racquets only hinder maxed stats and are mostly designed to be equal payoffs, unless someone wants to go for the ultimate hidden one :V
Edit history:
Heidrage: 2013-06-01 01:56:19 am
Willing to teach you the impossible
Quote from SlasherManEXE:
Take into account that all cutscenes are unskippable, and the six credit sequences that are added to the game timer, it adds up quickly lol.

I am looking into this as well. Once a game is done and you distribute your points, you can do a soft reset and not have to sit and wait. I can confirm this for the opening scene and between matches (not faster between matches as you restart in your dorm). I have not tested receiving metals or going threw the credits yet. Once I pick up some more AA batteries for my GBA, I will though.

Would still love to see a full run from you. I can get more from a video than by myself.
Edit history:
SlasherManEXE: 2013-06-01 10:28:55 am
I dont plan to reset at all, as I want it to be a true single segment. I'm basically just going for quick points at the net for matches that I can't get aces. twitch.tv/slashermanexe has my run in highlights, so check it out if you wish. It's still in its preliminary stages, but as of now I haven't found a faster run. btw I dont put a single penny into speed until the island open iirc
Willing to teach you the impossible
Soft resets dont power down, so it is still a true SS run. Also, I am playing it with a rough run, and I finished the match with mario at 3:09. I dont see how you can get a sub 4 in this game.
Sub 4 is pretty impossible, but sub 4:20 is probably easily possible now if the game saves itself after winning varsity and the open, those cutscenes can cut a lot of wasted time
Willing to teach you the impossible
Ya, I just finished a run. 5:13 was my final file time. I can see a sub 5 doable. I thought I read you said sub 4, my fault. But ya, do you have any highlights? Or you could just tell me your route since I have been asking.
Edit history:
Heidrage: 2013-06-01 01:11:33 pm
Heidrage: 2013-06-01 12:13:23 pm
Heidrage: 2013-06-01 12:12:02 pm
Willing to teach you the impossible
I would say shoot for a sub 4:50. My run was not THAT bad...

Edit:
Quote from Heidrage:
But ya, do you have any highlights? Or you could just tell me your route since I have been asking.

Quote from SlasherManEXE:
I'm basically just going for quick points at the net for matches that I can't get aces. twitch.tv/slashermanexe has my run in highlights, so check it out if you wish. It's still in its preliminary stages, but as of now I haven't found a faster run. btw I dont put a single penny into speed until the island open iirc

I guess I cant read... Sorry. Ya, I want power and control then dipped into speed after Sammi... or just before. Then dumped everything into Harry, mostly speed and power then gave him some control. Alex ended up being level 29 and Harry was at 45 at the end of the game.

Edit2: OH WOW, a 4:39!!!

Edit3: Ya... I have a ways to go it seams. What are you playing on?
I'm playing on an emulator right now, but I do own the cart, and am aiming toward getting a gameboy player for gamecube, and I already own a capture card, so recording a quality run shouldn't be too difficult. I can't really tell you my route because well.. I don't really know it haha. I just bully my way through singles, spend mario's points on my partner, then go through doubles, stealing as many shots from my partner as possible. I'd have to watch my own run to give something more precise, but I seem to do something different experience-wise every time I play.
Willing to teach you the impossible
Ya, from what I saw and am watching, your leveling up Alex WAY more than I did. I focused on Harry more. Guess I should switch it up some and tinker around.

I also noticed you get WAY more exp than me. I am sure it is because of your use of skilled shots. I dont use them much, but will be testing them out as well.

Not sure if you noticed, I could be wrong though, I think the serves are scripted (so they will always be the same order). At least I think they might be. If they are, that would help with Spike and after with the amazing serves.
Edit history:
SlasherManEXE: 2013-06-01 02:22:19 pm
Yes, serves are scripted, but some of the "nice" serves can vary. Like lets say he sets up down the center on deuce side for a first serve, he can either hit it down the line or crosscourt. I've figured out how to cut it off safely though, which is by standing just behind the service line. Unlike power tour, this game really doesn't penalize you for short-hops.

Also, Harry has extremely stupid AI, and is utterly useless. I give him a few power and speed levels only as a backup if I cannot take the shot.
Zelda
Hey Slash! This is a really interesting run. Best of luck! I am working on another GBC run right now but maybe I will pick this up in the fall =]
Willing to teach you the impossible
I just did a short run, beat A Coz. I was able to keep up with you in terms of time but you started to pull away at spike then took off after. Im getting MUCH better, but I am still really inexperienced... and it shows. Also, 7 power and 7 control is a great opening. You should try it out.
How do you get both 7 power and 7 control right off the bat? Do you do two wall games?
Edit history:
Heidrage: 2013-06-01 08:33:07 pm
Willing to teach you the impossible
Oh no, I do one wall, then 4 power and 3 control. Then each game I give one to each. This allows ace serves on all but the pink girl in Jr, and the games where you dont serve you have good control for easier points.
Edit history:
SlasherManEXE: 2013-06-01 10:35:09 pm
I'm going to tinker with some things, but hopefully I can improve my early game enough so that I don't have to ride on my late game strats exclusively to get a good time. It's basically just remembering which serves ace who.  I like my return game strats though, so those probably won't change much. Sub 4:30 next run? Smiley

Obviously I won't work too hard yet though, until I can play on a proper console.