The Ultimate Site of Worms Armageddon

Worms: Armageddon => General discussion => Topic started by: dcrew on March 07, 2016, 03:18 AM

Title: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: dcrew on March 07, 2016, 03:18 AM
Hiya, I have some videos to share with the Worms community. Videos of replays of me playing W:A with a Tool to assist me in making perfect replays (or almost perfect).
Replay files should be posted later, right now Deadcode is busy, but will get to it when he can.

Tools Used:
Single-Stepping Advancing frame-by-frame in the W:A game allowing for precise movements/reactions
Marking Frames Marking a frame after making movements I am happy with
Undoing/Redubbing Undoing movements/actions I am unhapppy with, forwarding/back-tracking to the marked location
Trajectory Mapping Showing lines of where trajectories will land, or in this case, the rope
(http://s17.postimg.org/ilo6tclof/ezgif_3750728150.gif)

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

humRR1 (12.64 sec) | nWTomi's TTRR #08 (20.68 sec)


TTRR-8_No-name (17.38 sec) | RR #9 (15.16 sec)


Worst RR ever (13.56 sec) | Solid's RR (TT) (37.88 sec)


Normal ttrr red (14.52 sec) | Hard Small Rope Race (13.62 sec)


Fearless33's Dynamic (25.12 sec) | Short ttrr 1 (16.94 sec)


solido's big rr 2015 (48.62 sec) | QP RR #32 (24.20 sec)


MrChuck's ttrr (10.42 sec) | AZ01 RR #22 (13.78 sec)


solido's big rr 2015 TS (26.98 sec) | barman36resized TS (135.40 sec)


Sunshine TS Warmer (60~ sec) | humRR1 TS (8.30 sec to 17.92 sec)


I have made and perfected many more and will continue to do so, however as for posting them is up to the community, if anybody would like to see them.

I am also open to map/scheme suggestions, also let me know if you'd like to see TAing in action, I'd be up for steaming or videoing the process.
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: Sensei on March 07, 2016, 03:26 AM
00:17, 2nd video. That got me laughing. Everything is maniacal, but archs were always more gentlemanish and elegant than other moves... The proof!
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: dcrew on March 07, 2016, 03:33 AM
00:17, 2nd video. That got me laughing. Everything is maniacal, but archs were always more gentlemanish and elegant than other moves... The proof!

Glad that was entertaining! Let me know if you have any suggestions, more videos very soon!
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: david cool on March 07, 2016, 03:39 AM
wow I haven't seen anybody use the trajectory mapping so consistently like that, really well done  :o
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: Husk on March 07, 2016, 04:09 AM
Sorry for the bad english, it isn't my native language.

amazing stuff

loved the stuff u managed to do with the shorter map, especially the plunger climb at 8 seconds in the video
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: dcrew on March 07, 2016, 04:43 AM
@david_cool :D

amazing stuff

loved the stuff u managed to do with the shorter map, especially the plunger climb at 8 seconds in the video

Thanks everybody, 4 new replay (videos) added!
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: StepS on March 07, 2016, 02:52 PM
Great runs! Exquisite planning, in particular. Keep it up!
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: Hussar on March 07, 2016, 02:54 PM
what i need to crate my own replay ? could you share it with us?
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: dcrew on March 07, 2016, 05:08 PM
Great runs! Exquisite planning, in particular. Keep it up!

Thanks very much!

what i need to crate my own replay ? could you share it with us?

The tool I'm using isn't mine to give away and is private at the moment, sorry about that :(
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: XanKriegor on March 07, 2016, 05:16 PM
Gotta say - such info should be hidden as deep as possible. Imagine a half of wormers making such stuff? No, thanks.
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: dcrew on March 07, 2016, 07:05 PM
Gotta say - such info should be hidden as deep as possible. Imagine a half of wormers making such stuff? No, thanks.

I wouldn't imagine that would happen, Deadcode created the tool and it's private, also for offline usage only.

4 more replay (videos) added!
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: Mablak on March 07, 2016, 11:49 PM
Nice stuff. Most tool-assisted runs have come from just a couple people, so it's nice to see some different styles.
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: dcrew on March 08, 2016, 12:11 AM
Nice stuff. Most tool-assisted runs have come from just a couple people, so it's nice to see some different styles.

Glad it's enjoyable :)
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: Kaleu on March 08, 2016, 07:26 AM
Let's do a battle?
Nice stuff btw.
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: TheKomodo on March 08, 2016, 07:32 AM
Tool assist is very interesting, to see the things possible, it's pretty geeky too, but it doesn't look nice at all...

Honestly, i've still yet to see a tool assisted replay that impresses me with stylish roping, with a smooth flow.

There are way too many stupid kicks/pumps/outlaws which just ruin it :/

Any chance you could do some with nice roping instead of fast roping? I'd love to see that :)

Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: Anubis on March 08, 2016, 01:39 PM
Tool assist is very interesting, to see the things possible, it's pretty geeky too, but it doesn't look nice at all...

Honestly, i've still yet to see a tool assisted replay that impresses me with stylish roping, with a smooth flow.

There are way too many stupid kicks/pumps/outlaws which just ruin it :/

Any chance you could do some with nice roping instead of fast roping? I'd love to see that :)

Most, if not all, Tool assisted replays are done by people that have not a very high sense of roping. Meaning, they can't rope themselves at a high level. If someone that loves and embraces warming would have their tools it would look stunning because that individual knows what good looking roping looks like without making it feel totally artificial and robotic.
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: rUNaW4y on March 08, 2016, 01:43 PM
Agree, even if TAS could be an intersting way in order to get details about the game's dynamics.
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: TOMT on March 08, 2016, 02:00 PM
Nice! I feel I'm getting warmed just by watching this, haha! :)

Is there a module that can show the position and speed of the worm while you make the run?

I remember having a module like that in Super Mario World while TAS'ing, only like that could complete levels at 100% maximum speed, and I bet it's even more important in a game like this! :D
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: lacoste on March 08, 2016, 03:04 PM
Can someone write a negative comment on these videos just to check if its the same Dcrew from a few years back? (https://www.tus-wa.com/forums/worms-armageddon/dcrews-wa-animation-studio-%28create-your-own-wa-replays%29-13035/) That could make for one hell of a topic to fap to after work, coz shoes didnt really work out that well.
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: dcrew on March 08, 2016, 06:22 PM
Let's do a battle?
Nice stuff btw.

Thanks and sure thing, most of the day I'm on the Worms IRC, though I'm in GMT time zone and don't generally reply until late noon when I'm at home.

Tool assist is very interesting, to see the things possible, it's pretty geeky too, but it doesn't look nice at all...

Honestly, i've still yet to see a tool assisted replay that impresses me with stylish roping, with a smooth flow.

There are way too many stupid kicks/pumps/outlaws which just ruin it :/

Any chance you could do some with nice roping instead of fast roping? I'd love to see that :)

I'll give it a shot, though we do those things to gain the best speed we can that's all. Contact me on the Worms IRC and I'll send you a video when I get 'round to it.

Nice! I feel I'm getting warmed just by watching this, haha! :)

Is there a module that can show the position and speed of the worm while you make the run?

I remember having a module like that in Super Mario World while TAS'ing, only like that could complete levels at 100% maximum speed, and I bet it's even more important in a game like this! :D

Glad you enjoyed it, and there sure is, provided by the Tool, I only use it during the process so it can help me

Thanks everybody else too! :)
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: TheWalrus on March 08, 2016, 06:25 PM
Can someone write a negative comment on these videos just to check if its the same Dcrew from a few years back? (https://www.tus-wa.com/forums/worms-armageddon/dcrews-wa-animation-studio-%28create-your-own-wa-replays%29-13035/) That could make for one hell of a topic to fap to after work, coz shoes didnt really work out that well.
its a different dcrew from UK ofc
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: Husk on March 08, 2016, 07:50 PM
Sorry for the bad english, it isn't my native language.

dcrew by this: "People who don't natively speak english, again.. should say: "Sorry for the bad english, it isn't my native language."

u mean I need to include that f@#!ing sentence in every post I make? or does sending u a PM explaining the reason be enough?

Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: dcrew on March 08, 2016, 09:24 PM
Sorry for the bad english, it isn't my native language.

dcrew by this: "People who don't natively speak english, again.. should say: "Sorry for the bad english, it isn't my native language."

u mean I need to include that f@#!ing sentence in every post I make? or does sending u a PM explaining the reason be enough?

I don't recall ever saying that :L

4 more replay (videos) added!

Edit: Updated AZ01 RR #22, redubbed for a better time
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: j0e on March 09, 2016, 06:00 AM
Nice videos dcrew. I TAS'd humRR1 once.. probably my favorite .bit RR map (which I made). Made it to the end and back in under 30 seconds. Lost the replay, and the single step program though haha. Your replay is better anyway. That bigrr one with invisible walls is crazy.
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: dcrew on March 09, 2016, 08:10 AM
Nice videos dcrew. I TAS'd humRR1 once.. probably my favorite .bit RR map (which I made). Made it to the end and back in under 30 seconds. Lost the replay, and the single step program though haha. Your replay is better anyway. That bigrr one with invisible walls is crazy.

Thanks, I've actually just updated my record for that (video updated), got it down to 12.64 sec from 12.94 sec.

Edit: Just for you, start to finish to start in 25.72 sec:
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: StepS on March 09, 2016, 01:09 PM
Most, if not all, Tool assisted replays are done by people that have not a very high sense of roping. Meaning, they can't rope themselves at a high level. If someone that loves and embraces warming would have their tools it would look stunning because that individual knows what good looking roping looks like without making it feel totally artificial and robotic.
For me personally, it's the other way around. While I already had a solid base of roping skills when I started tool-assisting back in 2014, doing these runs has changed my style of everyday roping. In every game that involves rope, I now instinctively try to perform the most optimal tricks possible in a given situation. It has also augmented my sensing of the game's environment, I now take much more details into account whenever I press a button on the keyboard.
At the same time I disagree that a personal roping skill level would result in a better TA output. It is simply not possible to preserve speed while trying to adjust the style to be as close to human as possible (without getting at least a 20% decrease in the time result of the run). Remember, these are *speed* runs... With a primary goal to establish records and beat others' records. You would see what I mean if the TA build was public right now.

To keep both, specially crafted maps would be needed. Levels built specifically with TA in mind, where a combination of speed and style are achievable. That could require a lot of thinking and planning, to engineer the most suitable map. Battle Race? Piece of cake compared to this.

Tool assist is very interesting, to see the things possible, it's pretty geeky too, but it doesn't look nice at all...

Honestly, i've still yet to see a tool assisted replay that impresses me with stylish roping, with a smooth flow.

There are way too many stupid kicks/pumps/outlaws which just ruin it :/
Like I've already said above, this doesn't fall within the definition of "speed" runs. Doing this on regular small RR maps would provide little feedback.
However, some ideas can be used with Big RR-like maps, especially with unlocked or slightly unlocked speed limits (i.e. TestStuff). Back in 2014 I made a test run on a Big RR map that utilizes the indian rope feature. It is not focused on either style or speed, so is not very stylish, but should still catch your attention at some parts.

BTW, this isn't the first time that indian-rope is used with TA. Some people might remember Wyv's video (http://wormtube.worms2d.info/1/tricky) from 9 years ago that utilized this. If you haven't already, you should check it out.
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: Dulek on March 09, 2016, 02:08 PM
For me personally, it's the other way around. While I already had a solid base of roping skills when I started tool-assisting back in 2014, doing these runs has changed my style of everyday roping. In every game that involves rope, I now instinctively try to perform the most optimal tricks possible in a given situation. It has also augmented my sensing of the game's environment, I now take much more details into account whenever I press a button on the keyboard.

Unfair advantage, freedom for TA! ::)
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: Anubis on March 09, 2016, 03:04 PM
For me personally, it's the other way around. While I already had a solid base of roping skills when I started tool-assisting back in 2014, doing these runs has changed my style of everyday roping. In every game that involves rope, I now instinctively try to perform the most optimal tricks possible in a given situation. It has also augmented my sensing of the game's environment, I now take much more details into account whenever I press a button on the keyboard.

Unfair advantage, freedom for TA! ::)

I don't actually get the fuss about it being kept private. Since you can't use it online anyway there's no risk.
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: biscuits on March 09, 2016, 03:27 PM
For me personally, it's the other way around. While I already had a solid base of roping skills when I started tool-assisting back in 2014, doing these runs has changed my style of everyday roping. In every game that involves rope, I now instinctively try to perform the most optimal tricks possible in a given situation. It has also augmented my sensing of the game's environment, I now take much more details into account whenever I press a button on the keyboard.

Unfair advantage, freedom for TA! ::)

I don't actually get the fuss about it being kept private. Since you can't use it online anyway there's no risk.

I totally agree with Anubis. If it can't be used online, why is it so private? What's the point? Why can't everyone use it and have fun offline? Makes me think that it actually does work online, which is shady and pretty lame.
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: DaisyJ on March 09, 2016, 03:41 PM
Quote from: biscuits

I totally agree with Anubis. If it can't be used online, why is it so private? What's the point? Why can't everyone use it and have fun offline? Makes me think that it actually does work online, which is shady and pretty lame.

I can confirm such a way to do it online exists.  However it greatly lags the game during your turn so there is no way you wouldn't notice somebody using it. 

Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: StepS on March 09, 2016, 07:04 PM
Unfair advantage, freedom for TA! ::)

I don't actually get the fuss about it being kept private. Since you can't use it online anyway there's no risk.

I totally agree with Anubis. If it can't be used online, why is it so private? What's the point? Why can't everyone use it and have fun offline? Makes me think that it actually does work online, which is shady and pretty lame.
I believe some changes need to be made for it to be usable as a public tool, and the public release was delayed because the focus is on updating the game itself. But I'm not sure right now.

I can confirm such a way to do it online exists.  However it greatly lags the game during your turn so there is no way you wouldn't notice somebody using it.
No, it doesn't. What you're talking about isn't a TA.
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: dcrew on March 09, 2016, 07:48 PM
Most, if not all, Tool assisted replays are done by people that have not a very high sense of roping. Meaning, they can't rope themselves at a high level. If someone that loves and embraces warming would have their tools it would look stunning because that individual knows what good looking roping looks like without making it feel totally artificial and robotic.
For me personally, it's the other way around. While I already had a solid base of roping skills when I started tool-assisting back in 2014, doing these runs has changed my style of everyday roping. In every game that involves rope, I now instinctively try to perform the most optimal tricks possible in a given situation. It has also augmented my sensing of the game's environment, I now take much more details into account whenever I press a button on the keyboard.
At the same time I disagree that a personal roping skill level would result in a better TA output. It is simply not possible to preserve speed while trying to adjust the style to be as close to human as possible (without getting at least a 20% decrease in the time result of the run). Remember, these are *speed* runs... With a primary goal to establish records and beat others' records. You would see what I mean if the TA build was public right now.

To keep both, specially crafted maps would be needed. Levels built specifically with TA in mind, where a combination of speed and style are achievable. That could require a lot of thinking and planning, to engineer the most suitable map. Battle Race? Piece of cake compared to this.

Tool assist is very interesting, to see the things possible, it's pretty geeky too, but it doesn't look nice at all...

Honestly, i've still yet to see a tool assisted replay that impresses me with stylish roping, with a smooth flow.

There are way too many stupid kicks/pumps/outlaws which just ruin it :/
Like I've already said above, this doesn't fall within the definition of "speed" runs. Doing this on regular small RR maps would provide little feedback.
However, some ideas can be used with Big RR-like maps, especially with unlocked or slightly unlocked speed limits (i.e. TestStuff). Back in 2014 I made a test run on a Big RR map that utilizes the indian rope feature. It is not focused on either style or speed, so is not very stylish, but should still catch your attention at some parts.

BTW, this isn't the first time that indian-rope is used with TA. Some people might remember Wyv's video (http://wormtube.worms2d.info/1/tricky) from 9 years ago that utilized this. If you haven't already, you should check it out.

I didn't want to say much about it myself, because I didn't know the right words to say and it come off wrong.

But StepS puts it very nicely, I don't disregard stylish roping, heck when I began TASing stylish roping was my #1, and it totally worked (I think), but my stylish TASs were achieving (or not achieving) records, I eventually found a few ways around it while trying to be stylish while maintaining speed, and I beat few records of Deadcode's until he (re)beat them easily simply because speed was his #1 and stylish roping is hard to mix with speed roping, I soon had to change, and spent much time focusing and practicing speed, until this point.

Edit: After watching StepS' awesome TAS, I couldn't resist (8.82 sec finish,  18.20 sec back to start):



4 more replay (videos) added! Sorry for the delay, TS runs take quite some dedicated time.
Title: Re: Tool Assisted Speedruns by Dcrew
Post by: Lex on April 01, 2016, 04:53 PM
Do you think you can beat my MI2 time?  I'm curious.  I know it's not 100% optimal, but I don't have the patience to do try to optimize it further.

http://lex.clansfx.co.uk/worms/replays/2007-04-18%2019.06.29%20%7B3052%7D%20%5BOffline%20-%20Pi%20MI2%20RR%20-%2021.86%20sec%20-%20no-death%20ending%20-%20decrypted%5D%20Lex.WAgame