Search found 319 matches

by AlexanderBorisov
Wed Nov 08, 2017 9:55 am
Forum: Descent Single Player
Topic: Impressions on Descent: Insane, cold start, no-death, 100%
Replies: 298
Views: 426456

Re: Impressions on Descent: Insane, cold start, no-death, 100%

I looked at the second run, looks way better. Still dangerously low shields at one point, but the red area and reactor room are handled well. It is cool how many hidden shields can be found on exit run, I didn't knew about all of them! And also didn't knew about the second Gauss cannon. I think it w...
by AlexanderBorisov
Wed Nov 08, 2017 9:18 am
Forum: Descent Single Player
Topic: Going Rambo on D1 level 6 (And other levels)
Replies: 409
Views: 668608

Re: Going Rambo on D1 level 6 (And other levels)

The unpredictable roaming robots make Descent (especially D1) so interesting, but on the other hand it makes speedrunning many levels hell. Good luck to you, Marvin, you'll definitely need it on the difficult levels!
by AlexanderBorisov
Tue Nov 07, 2017 10:37 am
Forum: Descent Single Player
Topic: Impressions on Descent: Insane, cold start, no-death, 100%
Replies: 298
Views: 426456

Re: Impressions on Descent: Insane, cold start, no-death, 100%

BTW the first demo works ok in my Rebirth 0.58.1 (apart from the door behind the yellow door, which stayed half-opened for a second), however, robot behavior in the beginning seems a bit different, in yours thief didn't show up before you got to the energy center, and e-bandits in the second room (r...
by AlexanderBorisov
Thu Nov 02, 2017 12:48 pm
Forum: Descent Single Player
Topic: Impressions on Descent: Insane, cold start, no-death, 100%
Replies: 298
Views: 426456

Re: Impressions on Descent: Insane, cold start, no-death, 100%

I knew about the quad laser near the hostage cell, but not about the homing missile pack. But I usually don't care much about the secrets I don't need. I think the strategy can be further improved on some points : 1) Don't waste energy trying to hit the switch from afar in the first grated corridor....
by AlexanderBorisov
Mon Oct 30, 2017 3:18 pm
Forum: Descent Single Player
Topic: Impressions on Descent: Insane, cold start, no-death, 100%
Replies: 298
Views: 426456

Re: Impressions on Descent: Insane, cold start, no-death, 100%

Yes I think you can do it if you got to the red key area at last. Everything beyond it only needs corrects strategy, not so hard. I put my run with explanations on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS026VarqJg at least you could compare it later to yours. Especially from the point of strategy ...
by AlexanderBorisov
Mon Oct 30, 2017 10:39 am
Forum: Descent Single Player
Topic: Impressions on Descent: Insane, cold start, no-death, 100%
Replies: 298
Views: 426456

Re: Impressions on Descent: Insane, cold start, no-death, 100%

Still struggling with the level. It's the evilest level I've played so far, bar none. The farthest I've made it so far is to the yellow door, and that only twice out of ~100 tries. Screw this level with a red hot iron rebar. It is definitely harder than everything before, but not that bad, you prob...
by AlexanderBorisov
Mon Oct 30, 2017 7:21 am
Forum: Coders Corner
Topic: Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos
Replies: 20
Views: 27855

Re: Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos

At last I got to Windows compilation of Rebirth. In short, things are bad. I installed VS2017, and started with the "contrib/broken-vs2017" project. After installing SDL and PhysFS and fixing missing/wrong header references, I've got to that variadic macro stuff. First of it was easy - pri...
by AlexanderBorisov
Sat Oct 28, 2017 8:32 am
Forum: Descent Level Spotlight
Topic: Plutonian Shores - Vertigo Single-Player development thread
Replies: 55
Views: 20734

Re: Plutonian Shores - Vertigo Single-Player development thread

I will soon put my Insane no-save no-death walkthrough of the PS demo on Youtube (with some comments), most of the levels are recorded already. I can share the demos, too. For me it is even easier (because they are smaller in size). Looking at particular level run it is easy to judge how much ammo a...
by AlexanderBorisov
Fri Oct 27, 2017 6:00 pm
Forum: DXX Rebirth
Topic: Cannot register at dxx-rebirth forum
Replies: 2
Views: 15999

Cannot register at dxx-rebirth forum

Anyone knows why it is not possible to activate an account on Rebirth forum
https://forum.dxx-rebirth.com/
(I don't get activation e-mail, and admins don't respond). Is the forum experiencing some technical problems or just dead? My name there is AlexanderBorisov
by AlexanderBorisov
Thu Oct 26, 2017 3:37 pm
Forum: Descent Single Player
Topic: Impressions on Descent: Insane, cold start, no-death, 100%
Replies: 298
Views: 426456

Re: Impressions on Descent: Insane, cold start, no-death, 100%

Accidentally yesterday I played it for my collection of difficult D2 level 100% coldstarts, took a while to learn and quite many attempts to record a successful run (but I think less than 15, and maybe 3-4 long ones, others were early restarts or deaths due to running out of energy). But at last mad...
by AlexanderBorisov
Wed Oct 25, 2017 7:42 pm
Forum: Descent Single Player
Topic: Impressions on Descent: Insane, cold start, no-death, 100%
Replies: 298
Views: 426456

Re: Impressions on Descent: Insane, cold start, no-death, 100%

Xfing, about the music in D2, I am not a fan of 4 repeating tracks, too. But Calmarius said somewhere that he plays without music and then just adds the music track he likes in video editor. And this is what I do, either. Because when playing on Insane no death no save failure to hear and react to r...
by AlexanderBorisov
Tue Oct 24, 2017 5:06 pm
Forum: Descent Single Player
Topic: Impressions on Descent: Insane, cold start, no-death, 100%
Replies: 298
Views: 426456

Re: Impressions on Descent: Insane, cold start, no-death, 100%

Ha-ha I suspected it was a bit of show-off fight :) Yes, L9 and L11 are (relatively) easy but 10 and 12 are very tough! And among the longest ones, too! Much worse then everything before. However L9 has kind of strange geometry and it is easy to get lost. I don't like it for that reason.
by AlexanderBorisov
Tue Oct 24, 2017 11:12 am
Forum: Descent Single Player
Topic: Impressions on Descent: Insane, cold start, no-death, 100%
Replies: 298
Views: 426456

Re: Impressions on Descent: Insane, cold start, no-death, 100%

I looked at the demo, a nice run! I think most dangerous spot (apart from getting the Vulcan and the blue door), is the red key area (fighting the seekers), if they hide and refuse to go out, you are almost guaranteed to take damage if you will go after them... this time you were lucky however. And ...
by AlexanderBorisov
Fri Oct 20, 2017 5:45 pm
Forum: Descent Multiplayer
Topic: How to participate in non-competitive D2 anarchy games
Replies: 1
Views: 4959

How to participate in non-competitive D2 anarchy games

Nowadays, is it possible to participate in any non-competitive Anarchy games (mostly interested in D2, but D1 possible too) on more-or less regular basis, maybe at least once-twice a week? I plan to play mostly for fun without big concern about scoring (in general I've only played one multiplayer De...
by AlexanderBorisov
Tue Oct 17, 2017 10:29 am
Forum: Descent Level Spotlight
Topic: Plutonian Shores - Vertigo Single-Player development thread
Replies: 55
Views: 20734

Re: Plutonian Shores - Vertigo Single-Player development thread

I've just did a quick playthrough of Plutonian Shores Demo on Insane difficulty (with saves, I just wanted to see how good the levels are, including the robot placement and gameplay on Insane). Man the level set is amazing! Especially the later levels. I am not ready to make detailed comments on par...
by AlexanderBorisov
Tue Oct 10, 2017 4:51 pm
Forum: Descent Single Player
Topic: Lost Levels D2 insane no-death no-save walkthrough
Replies: 5
Views: 2142

Re: Lost Levels D2 insane no-death no-save walkthrough

Here is Youtube playlist for my Lost Level walk-through (only 2 levels uploaded now; but other videos are ready and I will upload regularly).
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... oWP4l_kDY3
by AlexanderBorisov
Tue Oct 10, 2017 4:32 pm
Forum: Descent Single Player
Topic: Descent videos
Replies: 57
Views: 16945

Re: Descent videos

Here is my new list for Enemy Vignettes Insane no death no save play-through.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... lymer=true
by AlexanderBorisov
Mon Oct 09, 2017 5:25 pm
Forum: Descent Single Player
Topic: Descent videos
Replies: 57
Views: 16945

Re: Descent videos

Here is the playlist with my Lost Levels for D2 Insane no save no death full rescue runs (with weapon mods off starting from level 5). https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbp0p_f9yduVimpbdDCkIFVoWP4l_kDY3 Only 2 levels uploaded now, but I plan to upload a few every day (they are already recorded)...
by AlexanderBorisov
Mon Oct 09, 2017 10:46 am
Forum: Coders Corner
Topic: Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos
Replies: 20
Views: 27855

Re: Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos

Retro homing missiles are easier to dodge in D1, harder in D2 - compared to Rebirth homing missiles. The Rebirth implementation is, in a manner, frame-independent - the turning code is scaled to the frame length, which on its surface seems reasonable. However, it smooths the curve of the missile's ...
by AlexanderBorisov
Sun Oct 08, 2017 1:34 am
Forum: Descent Single Player
Topic: Descent videos
Replies: 57
Views: 16945

Re: Descent videos

Well I found that a) my channel is still not Verified b) There are less than 3 public videos. Maybe that's why it is not still searchable. Hope this will go be fixed after I'll do verification and upload more. Will start from Lost Levels however; then Enemy Vignettes (finished Insane full rescue no ...
by AlexanderBorisov
Sat Oct 07, 2017 1:23 pm
Forum: Descent Single Player
Topic: Descent videos
Replies: 57
Views: 16945

Re: Descent videos

Anyone knows how to make youtube videos easier to find in Google or other search engines? Still have problem finding my own videos by keywords like "Descent", "Enemy Vignettes", "level 12", "Insane difficulty" etc.While I cannot find other's videos by similar ...
by AlexanderBorisov
Sat Oct 07, 2017 7:26 am
Forum: Coders Corner
Topic: Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos
Replies: 20
Views: 27855

Re: Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos

Ok, I don't object that de-nerfed Fusion and Spreadfire can change balance in multiplayer for good (although I do not play MP myself and cannot comment on this); but in SP I am yet to see the mission where it would be useful. During my play through many D2 missions (stock campaign, Vertigo, TEW, Obs...
by AlexanderBorisov
Fri Oct 06, 2017 4:34 pm
Forum: Coders Corner
Topic: Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos
Replies: 20
Views: 27855

Re: Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos

I thought that homers behavior in Rebirth 0.58.1 is already frame independent, maybe I am mistaken... Not sure how it can be checked. About Fusion, even if it had D1 strength I still cannot imagine how one can fight against fast robots - ITD's, ITSC, BPERs with it on Insane (they dodge then swarm an...
by AlexanderBorisov
Fri Oct 06, 2017 2:49 pm
Forum: Coders Corner
Topic: Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos
Replies: 20
Views: 27855

Re: Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos

Ok, I finished the demo to vid converter in as an AHK script running OBS Studio free recording and streaming software. Works like a charm! And still no response from the Rebirth forum...Hope I will get to fixing Rebirth VS project those weekends. About Retro build that you are using, by "Introd...
by AlexanderBorisov
Wed Oct 04, 2017 10:51 am
Forum: Coders Corner
Topic: Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos
Replies: 20
Views: 27855

Re: Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos

Ok, I believe 2 is not hard to fix (just make those typedefs non-private or even global; I hope there are very few). Yes I know "true C++ people" will curse you for that but who cares... 3 : should not be hard to find what line of segments.h causes the crash by bisection. Unfortunately VS ...
by AlexanderBorisov
Tue Oct 03, 2017 9:50 am
Forum: Descent Single Player
Topic: Please recommend recording software for Descent videos
Replies: 12
Views: 1711

Re: Please recommend recording software for Descent videos

At last I found a good solution. https://obsproject.com/download it is totally free and records in full screen and window mode, and already in compressed format (and you can select the format and compression, too!). And has a lot of other useful capabilities, too. Needless to say, it does not introd...
by AlexanderBorisov
Tue Oct 03, 2017 9:16 am
Forum: Descent Single Player
Topic: Descent controls : mouse vs joystick
Replies: 2
Views: 1115

Descent controls : mouse vs joystick

As a mouse player that played only Single Player, but did many missions on Insane skill without saves and deaths, it is interesting for me to know whether using joystick can considerably improve your control over the ship, shooting accuracy and overall game experience. Because I still see some drawb...
by AlexanderBorisov
Tue Oct 03, 2017 8:45 am
Forum: Descent Single Player
Topic: XL - better, worse, or indifferent?
Replies: 20
Views: 2762

Re: XL - better, worse, or indifferent?

It was a kind of small special lava tunnel leading to the whole lava tunnel area, that did the biggest damage. There was another tunnel like this (not necessary to enter however), leading to invulnerability secret and 2 mega missiles. In those tunnels it seems that you cannot turn your ship (I mean ...
by AlexanderBorisov
Tue Oct 03, 2017 6:19 am
Forum: Coders Corner
Topic: Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos
Replies: 20
Views: 27855

Re: Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos

Well yes, auto can be handy but should not be so critical for Rebirth because most of the code is so old and in plain C. And in old times we just used typedefs for those complex types and it was ok. Anyway I wonder what are REAL issues with VS2017 project? I think they can come from dependencies, i....
by AlexanderBorisov
Mon Oct 02, 2017 7:08 pm
Forum: Descent Single Player
Topic: XL - better, worse, or indifferent?
Replies: 20
Views: 2762

Re: XL - better, worse, or indifferent?

Wireframe map issue was the least of all evils with XL, at last I found how to enable it. Not that it cures any of really game breaking problems with XL, like buggy robot AI, buggy collision detection, modified reaction to controls (or maybe modified movement physics) that makes my aim to shake any ...
by AlexanderBorisov
Mon Oct 02, 2017 6:50 pm
Forum: Coders Corner
Topic: Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos
Replies: 20
Views: 27855

Re: Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos

Yeah, I am also a bit tired of this C++11 hype on my current and previous jobs. People pushing it everywhere. Saying it can make ANY code better. Concerning Rebirth I don't see how it may be important or even blocker issue, if the old game used plain C for everything in many years, from what I saw i...
by AlexanderBorisov
Sun Oct 01, 2017 3:45 pm
Forum: Coders Corner
Topic: Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos
Replies: 20
Views: 27855

Re: Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos

Thanks, will try it too, I still cannot get activation e-mail from their forum, probably tomorrow. BTW VS Community Edition is now free, so it is no excuse for them anyway...
by AlexanderBorisov
Sun Oct 01, 2017 1:14 pm
Forum: Coders Corner
Topic: Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos
Replies: 20
Views: 27855

Re: Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos

I found that Rebirth has more problems with VS compilation than just the absence of VS project (or CMake). In fact it seems to have VS2017 project in contrib\broken-vs2017 (however I have only 2010 on my machine and cannot test how "broken" it actually is :) ). It also requires compiler th...
by AlexanderBorisov
Sun Oct 01, 2017 5:25 am
Forum: Descent Single Player
Topic: Impressions on Descent: Insane, cold start, no-death, 100%
Replies: 298
Views: 426456

Re: Impressions on Descent: Insane, cold start, no-death, 100%

Yes I know about fast forwarding the demo, also use it often. About markers, I also use them, but I did not thought about them from cheating perspective, as in some missions (LL and Enemy Vignettes included) you have secrets that require markers (at least it seems to me so); and I considered the mar...
by AlexanderBorisov
Sun Oct 01, 2017 5:07 am
Forum: DXX Rebirth
Topic: Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos
Replies: 5
Views: 9620

Re: Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos

Thanks again! Will try it all, and I think it is still worth building Rebirth on Windows, at least for "quick hacks" like this, obviously it should be easy, probably I just use the wrong version of Python or SCons. Still will greatly appreciate if someone could comment on this (better yet,...
by AlexanderBorisov
Sat Sep 30, 2017 4:01 pm
Forum: DXX Rebirth
Topic: Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos
Replies: 5
Views: 9620

Re: Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos

Thank you, a good idea, I didn't realize everything can be done with a fixed set of keystrokes, but how I would detect that a demo ended and you can start the next one? Of course you can just wait for a fixed period of time, but some demos are really long ones (one hour), others are just 5 minutes, ...
by AlexanderBorisov
Sat Sep 30, 2017 2:34 pm
Forum: DXX Rebirth
Topic: Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos
Replies: 5
Views: 9620

Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos

Excuse me for cross posting, but I just want to get attention from people working with Rebirth code base on the subject. And probably you know about other's attempts in this direction, too. Basically I want to make a kind of Rebirth "plugin" (in fact, a function) that will play the demo in...
by AlexanderBorisov
Sat Sep 30, 2017 12:04 pm
Forum: Coders Corner
Topic: Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos
Replies: 20
Views: 27855

Want to create automatic converter from demo files to videos

Basically want to make a kind of Rebirth "plugin" (in fact, a function) that will play the demo into the video file instead of the screen. I need this because I have a lot of Descent 2 demos to convert (maybe 100 hours worth), and obviously converting them with (F)CRAPS :) or similar softw...
by AlexanderBorisov
Fri Sep 29, 2017 11:57 am
Forum: Descent Single Player
Topic: Impressions on Descent: Insane, cold start, no-death, 100%
Replies: 298
Views: 426456

Re: Impressions on Descent: Insane, cold start, no-death, 100%

True, one-shot matcens sometimes are even more interesting, I remember there were many of them in Vertigo. About matcens farming, still feel a bit of guilt doing it... Also it bloats the demos, and thus makes them less fun to watch. Especially given the fact that you cannot easily skip it like you c...
by AlexanderBorisov
Fri Sep 29, 2017 9:31 am
Forum: Descent Single Player
Topic: Impressions on Descent: Insane, cold start, no-death, 100%
Replies: 298
Views: 426456

Re: Impressions on Descent: Insane, cold start, no-death, 100%

Would be also interesting to add a sort of rule that prevents "matcens farming" i.e restoring shields from infinite matcens, I indulged a bit into this when doing Lost Levels for D2 insane no-death no-save, but it was a really hard mission. To me it's like a "mild case" of cheati...