Show posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.

Show posts Menu

Messages - WillLem

Pages 1 ... 178 179 180 181 182 ... 278

#2686

Archived Bugs & Suggestions / [SUG][PLAYER] An extra rosette for "General Records" as well as "My Records"

December 31, 2020, 07:44:35 AM

I'm wondering if it would be possible to display "General Records" in the F2 menu as well as "My/Player Records", so that if someone submits a set of replays, the General Records can be updated by performing a mass replay check on them (whilst preserving the Player Records separately).

It would also be super handy if it could display the username of the person who has generated a particular record, for ease of cross-referencing and updating records on the forums.

I'm thinking an extra rosette icon (different colours) could be used for it, just next to the current one.

#2687

In Development / Re: Random level sharing topic!

December 31, 2020, 05:07:56 AM

Inspired by Taxing 55 - "Walk The Plank" from Lemmings Plus 3D, this features 5 lemmings walking from a ship's long plank into an infinite teleporter loop. Can you rescue them from the neverending cycle and guide them home?

Format: NeoLemmix

Title: Walk The Plank

Difficulty: Medium

Features: Tileset mix [Pillar, Dirt & Circuit (namida)], Full range of NL skills, OWW, Teleporters, Pickups

#2688

NeoLemmix Main / Re: My solution to Redux (Lunatic) Final Level

December 31, 2020, 03:59:03 AM

Welcome to the Forums @TinapayBri

I watched your video - great to see that you're using high-res mode!

#2689

Lemmini / Re: Physics differences between SuperLemmini and NeoLemmix

December 31, 2020, 03:35:01 AM

Quote from: ericderkovits on December 30, 2020, 05:45:30 PM
Icho's mixed style is called EPIC... So if you have downloaded the Superlemmini 1.43 styles that I posted, you can make levels using this EPIC style for Superlemmini.

I downloaded Reunion (along with music, styles and replays) yesterday evening. I plan on LPing it at some point, it looks like an awesome pack

And yes, it's great to see that the EPIC style is something which already exists!

#2690

Lemmini / Re: Superlemmini's Lemmings Reunion (Finished)

December 30, 2020, 06:04:18 PM

I've decided to make this one my next LP. I love the music and styles used in this pack

#2691

Archived Bugs & Suggestions / Re: [DISC][PLAYER] New skills general discussion

December 30, 2020, 05:51:29 PM

It might be interesting to try going the other way with the crater size, i.e. make it much larger!

I jest, of course

Like Proxima, I too think that the size and shape are pretty good as they are currently. At the moment, you need to be very careful when using it. You can't just spam loads of them because you invariably end up destroying terrain you didn't mean to, so I find it unlikely that designers would use the skill purely for terrain destruction anyway. So far, most of the uses I've seen have been singular, and mainly for instant destruction of thin platforms, rescuing Blockers and - as Gronkling mentioned - stopping Climbers and/or Shimmiers.

In fact, Icho's latest video shows the Grenader being used to enable a Shimmier to go further, by destroying part of the ceiling that would otherwise have stopped the Shimmier.

All of this being the case, I see no harm in leaving it the size that it is so that it can also be used purely for terrain destruction purposes. That said, smaller may be more manageable in certain settings, so is definitely worth a try.

#2692

Lemmini / Re: Physics differences between SuperLemmini and NeoLemmix

December 30, 2020, 05:33:37 PM

Thanks for the links, guys

I've now added the Bashers & Miners trick to the OP. As far as I'm aware, it's not possible for these skills to mutually cancel each other in NeoLemmix.

I wonder how Icho created the mixed style level in Reunion...? Is it a "super style" which mixes all tiles from all sets? I was thinking of doing the same thing myself, but no need if it already exists!

I don't have Reunion for SuperLemmini yet, but I'll definitely be getting it after watching that vid!

#2693

Archived Bugs & Suggestions / Re: [DISC][PLAYER] New skills general discussion

December 30, 2020, 02:34:59 PM

Following my previous post, it's dawned on me that what's needed to Save The Grenader is in-depth discussion of its various attributes, limitations, and power.

So, question to all those who don't like the Grenader: what would you do to make it better (besides getting rid of it!)?

#2694

Archived Bugs & Suggestions / Re: [DISC][PLAYER] New skills general discussion

December 30, 2020, 02:19:48 PM

Quote from: Strato Incendus on December 30, 2020, 02:01:19 PM
Because even the level I made with the particular intent of demonstrating backroute-prone-ness of the Grenader ("Boom! Beer Me") has been in a backroute-proof state for a while now.

My point exactly (and the reason I challenged Strato to do this in the first place).

We can talk all day and night about how "backroute prone" the Grenader is and how "difficult" it might be to fix the backroutes it causes, and it may even be enjoyable to do so over a few bevvies! But, without actual practical evidence, it's all just speculatory waffle which is potentially holding back a very fun and useful skill!

EDIT: OK, mini-rant over

I can of course see the benefits of discussing the backroute possibilities, since it will hopefully help to improve the skill to a state which is more conducive to its inclusion on the panel!

#2695

Lemmini / Re: Physics differences between SuperLemmini and NeoLemmix

December 30, 2020, 02:13:56 PM

Quote from: Turrican on December 29, 2020, 06:22:07 PM
(1) In Superlemmini , a basher and a miner can cancel each other , if you time them correctly. This applies if the basher and the miner are facing at the opposite direction , and if they are facing at the same direction.
---
(2) Another trick: Do you have a lemming , that it needs to cross an area that has a 1-pixel gap at the floor? No problem! When it is at the edge of the 1-pixel gap , assign it a miner at the correct frame , and it will surpass it.
---
(3) Also in Superlemmini , a climber can surpass by climbing , objects like a "3 builder wall" for example.

Thanks for these suggestions, Turrican! I'm sure I'll be updating this topic periodically for quite a while, so feel free to mention any of these that you find as and when, it's all good.

I've confirmed 2 and 3 and added them to the OP. However, I can't seem to recreate the first of these (i.e. Bashers and Miners cancelling each other). If anyone has a replay which demonstrates this in action, I'd be grateful to see it.

Climbing past of a 3-builder "wall" is, again, another way in which SL is consistent with Amiga physics. I wonder whether the Miner/1px gap trick is also present in Amiga, but I can't think of a suitable level for testing it.

#2696

Lix Multiplayer Dates / Re: Lix Multiplayer, Sunday, Jan 3, 2021

December 30, 2020, 01:25:02 PM

Quote from: Flopsy on December 30, 2020, 09:41:23 AM
Since I can't make the session this weekend, is anyone up for a follow up session in the later weekends of January perhaps?

Sure, I'd be up for that. The one on the 3rd is my first time so I'll likely want to have another go fairly quickly!

#2697

Lemmini / Re: Physics differences between SuperLemmini and NeoLemmix

December 30, 2020, 02:38:56 AM

Quote from: LanaAndCo on December 29, 2020, 07:43:55 PM
Number 2 is actually a case of NeoLemmix Editor not converting the level properly (I did it hastily and without knowing how to use the new editor). In the original SuperLemmini version, the pixels aren't diagonally opposing each others, they are "glued" together, because lemmings do walk through diagonally opposite pixels. It's in fact while making this level that I learned about this and I didn't wanted the lemmings to die so early in the level because of an optical illusion of some sort.

Confirmed. Thanks for clarifying this, Lana! I double-checked (pun intended

) by creating the following:

Diagonally opposite pixel gap confirmation

So, the OP has been updated accordingly.

Quote from: LanaAndCo on December 29, 2020, 07:43:55 PM
I don't know how the NeoLemmix Editor works when converting a SuperLemmini level to a NeoLemmix one, but my assumption is that it reorganize the tiles on a grid maybe? It's probably my fault too, since I never used the newer version of the NeoLemmix Editor. Sorry for all of this.

No need to apologise at all, it's not your fault. The editor does handle things slightly differently when converting to NXLV, I noticed a few objects moved 1 pixel to the right during the Amiga Lemmings conversion project.

Also, your level has helped to clarify that SuperLemmini is, in fact, consistent with Amiga physics on this particular point, so thank you!

#2698

Archived Bugs & Suggestions / Re: [DISC][PLAYER] New skills general discussion

December 30, 2020, 02:02:52 AM

Quote from: Gronkling on December 29, 2020, 08:42:39 PM
The grenader makes that challenge much more boring anyway IMO

I disagree. I'm looking forward to giving it a go! (I'll likely do the challenge as an experiment before the build expires)

#2699

Lemmini / Physics differences between SuperLemmini and NeoLemmix

December 29, 2020, 03:44:54 PM

I recently brought up the idea of having records topics for SuperLemmini, and I was asked by Gronkling on Discord whether there are any physics differences which may affect challenge results.

I am aware of some differences already, but I thought it might be worthwhile to investigate further and document as many as I can find. Some of these differences may affect challenge results, but others are unlikely to make any significant difference. Either way, it's interesting to see how the engines differ.

So, here are the differences that I'm aware of. Please comment if you know of any others and I'll add them to this list.

1. Levels have non-deadly side and top edges

Levels in NeoLemmix have deadly sides and tops (i.e. the lemming will disappear off the edge of the screen if they reach the extreme side or top of a level, and will exit the level as a lost lemming), whereas in SuperLemmini they are non-deadly. This is significant because not only are sides and tops no longer a threat, but they can be used to turn lemmings around.

Somewhat bizarrely, when a lemming builds to the top of a level in SuperLemmini, they stop building and walk forwards, which is of course different from building into a terrain ceiling (which turns the lemming around, as normal, in both engines).

2. High-resolution physics / Double the FPS

SuperLemmini uses high-resolution physics, and so displays twice the number of frames per second (FPS) as NeoLemmix. This means that even finer framestep positioning is possible, with lemmings moving forward in smaller increments per frame.

Also, graphics themselves are twice the resolution, so detail on the edges of terrain is finer, and lemmings can interact with every pixel, i.e. each pixel in the graphic translates to an actual pixel in the physics. Whether or not this would make any actual significant differences to level solutions is debatable, but the difference is there.

3. Steel oddities

Another one that's best shown visually. In NeoLemmix, steel is steel - it cannot be destroyed under any circumstances (this is one of the things I love about NeoLemmix).

Note in this NeoLemmix example that 2 Bombers have been used to create the first crater in the platform, and the second has been created by a Digger. Both craters show destruction right up to the edge of the steel, and it's necessary to use a Climber to exit the digger pit:

By contrast, performing the same actions in SuperLemmini produces a completely different result. The second Bomber has blown a crater in the steel, whilst the Digger was stopped several pixels short of where the edge of the steel is, meaning that the lemmings can simply walk straight out of the digger pit:

Similarly, in this level it's possible to dig and bash through the edge of the steel in SuperLemmini, provided some part of the skill path is in contact with a substantial enough amount of terrain (this means that 100% is possible in Compression Method 1):

Whereas, in NeoLemmix, this is not possible:

I prefer NeoLemmix steel to be honest; it makes more sense and is far more predictable. But, the more oddly-behaved "classic steel" in SuperLemmini means that alternative solutions may be possible.

Please note, this steel behaviour in SuperLemmini can be disabled from the 1.43 Editor, and the steel areas can be resized independently to fit the blocks exactly, so that SuperLemmini steel behaves exactly like it does in NeoLemmix. This means that levels can be edited so that the steel differences are nonexistent, however since NeoLemmix does not allow classic steel behaviour at all, it can be considered a fundamental difference between the two engines (albeit one which can be manually tweaked user-side). Furthermore, since SuperLemmini "(un)officially" presents the original games with classic steel enabled, this is how the levels are intended to be played in that engine, and challenge rules normally state that levels cannot be edited anyway.

4. Miners can "step over" a 1-pixel gap

In SuperLemmini, if assigned in just the right place (margin of error is about 3-4 frames), a Miner will land on the opposite site of a 1-pixel gap, as if they've "stepped over" it. This is most likely a bug, however I can see why it might make sense were it to be intended. The Miner leans forward as they strike, and then steps onto the available terrain in front of them. It could be argued that their forward-momentum is what has carried them over the gap.

It's also worth noting that in most engines, Miners can "float" in mid-air for a frame or two when they reach the end of a block of terrain, in a similar manner to Digger physics. The difference is that, for just 1 frame, they are still moving forward (whereas the Digger is moving downwards) It's possible that this "1-frame's-grace" is what allows the lemming's position to move past the gap in engines where the bug is unchecked.

Here's visual confirmation of the action having happened:

Needless to say, this behaviour is not replicable in NeoLemmix, having been treated as a bug and fixed.

5. Climbers can traverse a 3-Builder "wall"

The classic trick of using 3 Builders close together to form a "Blocker" (which happens due to the bridges forming a vertical "wall" of >7 pixels) is enough to contain Climbers in NeoLemmix. However, in SuperLemmini, they are able to climb up the >7 pixel "wall" and hoist themselves over it.

Again, this is one I'd probably suggest makes some sense, since the part of the bridges being climbed is towards the shallower end of the slope, where there is nothing above the "wall" stopping a Climber from transitioning to hoister. I'd be interested to know how this behaviour gets corrected in NeoLemmix, and will note it here.

Here's the behaviour in action:

Incidentally, it's also present in Amiga physics:

6. Bashers & Miners can cancel each other

In SuperLemmini, Bashers and Miners can mutually cancel, regardless of direction.

Here is a video showing them cancelling each other when moving in the same direction. And here is one showing them cancelling each other from opposite directions.

As far as I'm aware, neither is possible in NeoLemmix (I haven't managed to recreate the behaviour), but I could be wrong about this. If so, I will of course remove this item from the list.

7. It takes fewer Builders to ascend through a thin overhead platform

Another fairly important one. In the following example, it takes 2 fewer Builders to reach the overhead platform in SuperLemmini than in NeoLemmix. This is most likely due to stricter Builder checks in the latter (images supplied by Turrican):

SuperLemmini - 5 Builders used

NeoLemmix - 7 Builders used

8. The old left-facing Builder thing

You know the one; left-facing Builders don't reach quite as far. I always wondered what caused this, and it turns out that the left-facing lemmings place their first brick 1 pixel further back than right-facing lemmings.

NeoLemmix corrects this behaviour, allowing Builders to reach the same distance in both directions (images supplied by Turrican):

NeoLemmix - both Builders start their bridges flush with the wall

SuperLemmini - the left-facing Builders starts their bridge 1px further back

9. Bashing a Blocker free from a Builder staircase

This one's bizarre. Basically, in SuperLemmini it's possible to bash underneath a Blocker that's standing on a Builder staircase such that a) the Blocker is freed from duty, and b) the staircase is not completely destroyed, and can still be used by subsequent lemmings:

In NeoLemmix, it's possible to do the same thing but only whilst the staircase is under construction:

If you try to do it when the staircase is completed, the Basher goes all the way through the staircase, thus destroying it:

Best guess is that this is to do with the differences in high and low-res physics coupled with Basher terrain checks. Every single pixel in NeoLemmix translates to 4 square pixels in SuperLemmini, so terrain checks can be more strict, and Bashers can (and invariably do) stop bashing sooner than they would in NeoLemmix.

More on this particular point (i.e. Basher terrain checks) later, there are some differences here that are particularly interesting, especially when it comes to bashing towards steel, and Builder bridges in general.

10. Bashers and Miners - The "First Swing" Bonus

In SuperLemmini, Bashers and Miners are capable of taking out 1px worth of terrain from behind them on the first swing, thus:

Click the image to see a video of this in action

Whereas, NeoLemmix Bashers and Miners only destroy terrain ahead of them:

Click the image to see a video of this in action

Depending on how you look at it, this is either a bug or a bonus. I'd say it's a bonus, since both the Basher and the Miner animations start with a "backswing", so in many ways, it makes sense that they would affect whatever terrain is immediately behind them as well.

11. When using the Blocker-turning trick on a Builder, the bridge doesn't always fully connect

In Superlemmini, if you position the "blocker turns builder" trick just right (or wrong, depending on perspective/situation), it can turn the builder in such a way that the other lemmings won't be able to follow the builder. This makes it a useful worker separation/crowd-control tactic, albeit one which requires the use of an extra Builder to free the crowd.

In NeoLemmix, the bridge always connects fully at the point that the Builder is turned, and therefore requires the use of a destructive skill or another Blocker to stop the crowd from following the worker.

Thanks to Turrican and ericderkovits for supplying images, replays and videos.

#2700

Lemmings Main / Re: The Lemmings Iceberg

December 29, 2020, 05:34:46 AM

My favourite things from each layer:

1 Custom levels
2 Unused Crystal trap
3 Direct Drop
4 Levitation after digging
5 Lemmings Returns
6 500 lost levels

...and I haven't heard of/seen anything below that layer!

If someone fancies explaining all of these, it'll be a fascinating read

Pages 1 ... 178 179 180 181 182 ... 278