Descent

[lag]

Since talking about a run of Descent got popular here, I thought I'd make a new thread to discuss it. I know little about the non-PC versions, but maybe DOSBox would help for running it nowadays? And, does anyone know of a source port that offered a decent resolution?

[StuporMan]

I remember reinstalling Descent 1 a year or so ago and I found some patches that allowed for better resolutions, 3d hardware support, etc.  I believe I downloaded them from http://www.planetdescent.com/site/files/d1/patches/.

I would be very interested to see a speed run of this game especially at the higher difficulty levels.

[SnappyCrunch]

Well, there's d1x (http://d1x.warpcore.org/), which I've never used, but it looks like it reached stable status.

Then there's d2x (http://www.icculus.org/d2x/), which is technically made for Descent 2, but can load Descent 1 data files. Even though it's last release(0.2.5) was in Jun 2003, the CVS changelog shows people are still working on it, with changes made every few days.

There was also Descent32 (http://www.planetdescent.com/descent32/), which I think is as dead now as it possibly can be without ever having any releases at all.

So I imagine d2x is going to be your best bet, and maybe a compile from the latest CVS, though someone would have to talk to the devs to see if they think the latest CVS version is stable.

This is all moot, though. Maybe such an engine would be useful for playing back the demos after they've been recorded, but Radix would never allow the game to be speedrun in such an engine. Radix would want the game run in it's original released or patched version. Running the game in a fan-made engine would be similar to running it in an emulator.

[slYnki]

I'm running my Descent game in DOS. I stated in the Serious Sam subject that my computer is too fast or something, and whenever I own the ending tower, my screen shakes violently and I can't get out of the level. I can perfectly maneuver the controls too, but my screen literally shakes violently and I can't even see the level anymore.... ugh. Sucks because I'm really good at this game and would love to speed run it. Oh well. Good luck to whomever decides to run this game themselves.

[StuporMan]

Pocari,

I am pretty sure one of the patches at PlanetDescent will help with your problem.  I believe I used the OpenGL patch and I did not have a problem.  Your machine may be different though.  Just a thought,

StuporMan

[slYnki]

I might give that shot later, but I'm focusing on my UT run for now.

[lag]

Downloaded the OpenGL patch, that works fine. God... the controls really are awful! I wish it'd stop banking you when you turn a corner. Might consider speedrunning this... I'm guessing there'd be individual level runs, but that means I get to start with the laughable level 1 laser and 6 conc missiles every level. Practice practice.

Edit: First level takes about 40 seconds. Anyone know how I can record this long using things that don't cost money?

Edit 2: Idly running through the game, finally lost in the first secret level (the one with all the fusion robots). Not bad. The level 10 boss was quite the stickler.

[lag]

I hate to double post, but advice needed.

The DEM files recorded by v1.43 OpenGL Descent can't be parsed properly by DEMOEDIT (so I can chop off the millisecond or two on the next level). I spent A LOT of time today trying to write a parser which can do this, but was amazed to find absolutely no way of extracting the POF files from DESCENT.PIG.
I know that doesn't make much sense to a non-Descent knowledgeable person, bear with me.

What this means is, when I record a level as a DEM and play it back, I go into the exit chute, IMMEDIATELY reappear on the next level then IMMEDIATELY demo playback stops. Which is kind of sucky... any comments?

[slYnki]

Record better? Lol, I dunno. That's really quite weird o_O

[lag]

Ok, just some preliminaries for people to try and beat (hopefully). I'll be working on levels 4 through 10 next.

Times and downloads here!

Edit: Haha, just beat my own time for Level 3 by 10 seconds. NOW try beating it.

[stx-Vile]

I'm experiencing a strange situation regarding this game... I have the Definitive Collection release of the game, which starts at version v1.4a.  I attempted to update to 1.5 using the patch provided at Planet Descent and got this message:

"Applying ADD File Patch for 'README.TXT'

   New Version of File 'README.TXT' already exists.

Applying MODIFY File Patch for 'DESCENTR.EXE'


error ept0036: Old File not found. However, a file of the same name was
              found. No update done since file contents do not match."

I loaded the game and noted that it was indeed still at 1.4a... however, I was able to successfully run all five (so far) of LagDotCom's demos for the game, so being stuck in a previous version seems to have had no effect, in that regard.  The only clue to this is an old thread that google turned up:

http://ml.warpcore.org/descent-source/199909/msg00014.html

Apparently the problem was known back in 1999... and the situation is as it is now.  Maybe I should just try doing a run and seeing if it works both ways.

EDIT: I notice it did update the changelog for me:

"Registered 1.5:
    Changed:  Some stereoscopic (VR) modes keypress--
              Shift+F5 - Cybermaxx: changes video mode.
                         Other: Resets the stereo parameters to
                         their default values.
              Shift+F6 - Simuleyes: Resets display
                         Other: Changes resolution
              Shift+F7 - Toggles Left/Right eyes.
              Shift+F8 - Toggles VR sensitivity
              Shift+Enter - Toggles the HUD ON/OFF.  This used
                 to be mapped to Enter.
              Shift+F1, Shift+F2 - Changes the stereoscopic
                balance.  Basically, this moves the 3d effect
                into or out of the screen.
              Shift+F3, Shift+F4 - Changes the width of the
                eyes in 3d.  This can reduce or enhance the
                stereoscopic effect.

    Fixed: No bitmaps page in during game now
           Bug with ATZ not waiting for OK in some cases.

    Added: -JoyNice switch that enables interrupts while polling
             the joystick
           -LcdBios switch that works with Don Sawdai's LCDBIOS.
             This should work with any generic LCD glasses.
           -NoDoubleBuffer switch that disables double buffering.
             This will make 640x480 mode work on SVGA cards with
             only 512KB of VRAM.
           -CyberMax2 switch that enables the Cybermax2 VR helmet.
           Made Shift+F1-Shift+F4 toggle eye width in 3d modes.
           -SimulEyes switch for StereoGraphics' LCD glasses.
           Added stereoscopic balance adjustment.
           Made all stereoscopic modes draw the HUD in both
            eyes."

I don't see anything effecting the actual gameplay in there... maybe I'm in the clear with the current version... or perhaps I should fetch an older copy and play it safe.  Meh.

[stx-Vile]

http://www.dashevil.sytes.net/stx-Vile/01_0035T.avi
http://www.dashevil.sytes.net/stx-Vile/02_0123T.avi
http://www.dashevil.sytes.net/stx-Vile/03_0149T.avi
http://www.dashevil.sytes.net/stx-Vile/04_0203T.avi
http://www.dashevil.sytes.net/stx-Vile/05_0158T.avi

For people without the game and still interested in the proceedings, here's avis of the five existing runs by LagDotCom.  Huzzah!

[lag]

Thanks I am working on level 6 right now, but it is very difficult to get a decent looking demo. Will post when it's done. Level 7 will be the harder than level 8 I think; because of that huge robot to destroy.

[lag]

Well, I said I'd post when I'd done it. AND HERE IT IS! That's levels 6 and 7, yes... boss robot thoroughly owned. I casually played ahead to see some later levels, Descent gets hard fast. Level 13 looks like it'll be VERY fast.

I also uploaded the AVIs stx-Vile made to my webspace, in case you get the bad download speeds I do from him. Enjoy!

[slYnki]

Jesus, I remember some of the later levels like level 18-30.... oh man. I remember playing them when I was kid and shit they were hard. Winding pathways, those horrible robots that fire seeking missles at you, the teleports, smart missles.... it just never ends. That is until you hand the last boss his ass.