User:Blue Warrior/Sandbox/Archives

From SRB2 Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

List of Master Servers

More for personal reference than anything.

ms.srb2.org:28900
ms.sigsevcafe.com:28900
wadbasems.servegame.com:62910

Addendum - Fun fact: only ms.srb2.org is functioning at the time of this signature. ~ Blue Warrior talk contrib 21:09, 6 August 2009 (UTC)


List of EXEs (Before 2.0)

You see a lot of version numbers on the master server, and I for one, tend to have no idea what they are. For my own personal convenience (and perhaps yours), I'm going to list all EXEs that occasionally occur on the MS in numerical order. Feel free to expand to the list with any "current" exes I missed.

0.13.1 - SRB2Better2d
0.24.2 - SRB2Tag
1.00.16 - ShufflarB2
1.09.4 - Current version of SRB2
1.10.0 - Final version of SRB2 (Private Beta)
1.46.3 - SRB2Riders
1.69.10 - SRB2JTE
2.10.4 - SRB2Live
X.01.5 - XSRB2

Addendum - Moved to archives due to the fact that these are all now technically outdated.


Sonic R Tiers

As much as I love popping this game into my CD/DVD drive every now and then, I have to say that this game has the most inbalanced character selection I've seen in a racing game. Granted, I generally play on hard mode without the weather put on snow, but I know all the tricks in the book for this game, yet I find that some characters on certain stages are just impossible to get first place with because they're terrible compared to their opponents.

This isn't a problem in the default roster. Although Amy and Eggman are proof enough of character hierachy in the game, it's still possible to beat everyone in at least most of the stages (I haven't tried Radiant Emerald with them, which is why I say "most"). Even with their low speeds, their water-hovering abilities are usually enough to get the job done if you take the appropriate shortcuts. But unlock all characters and try first-placing some stages with the Egg Robo on hard mode. Actually, don't. You'll be wasting your time. It's literally impossible.

Part of what makes this inbalancedness so noticeable is that the default roster isn't that smart, even on hard mode, yet the newer roster takes the best path known in Sonic R's AI. Some characters in the default roster seem to instinctively take longer paths, but in the newcomer roster, they almost always take shortcuts, with very few exceptions. To be honest, I almost think it should be the other way around. If Super Sonic held back compared to Tails Doll, the creepy rascal just might stand a chance in a race. Yet as long as Amy and Robotnik make use of their water-hovering abilities, it's anyone's game as far as the player is concerned.

Below, for no other reason than the fact that I feel like it, I will list what I see as the most potentially powerful characters to play as, from strongest to weakest.

Top Tier

1. Super Sonic - Unquestionably the best character in the game. And for good reason; you went through all that hard work of finding all the emeralds and simultaneously getting first place in all circuits, so the reward is a good one. Go wild.

2. Metal Knuckles - While an expert player can top Super Sonic in a race with this dude, I find it pretty evident that Metal Knuckles does have that slight disadvantage just because its speed is a bit lower. Otherwise, the stats of this guy are almost maxed out, and the special ability certainly comes in handy as well.

Standard Tier

3. Metal Sonic - I just barely see this unfit for the top tier; Metal Sonic does a good job of keeping up with the other two, but it's true that it is simply disadvantaged compared to them, most specifically because of its poor handling. He does seem to have more grip in midair, however, so jump when you're at tight turns, and you should be able to beat the odds.

4. Sonic - Not far below Metal Sonic, but doesn't pose much of a threat to Metal Knuckles. Sonic is the fastest of the default characters, though, so if you master him, you can easily beat the rest of the crew.

5. Knuckles - I'll be honest, correctly placing Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles in the most logical order for a numbered hierachy is tough. The standard tier is definitely the most well-rounded, and Knuckles is absolutely no exception. Knuckles is actually a very good choice for many stages, and his glide comes very much in handy for crossing large water gaps. Highly recommended for intermediate Sonic R players.

6. Tails - While intended for beginners, his speed is good enough for a player to win the race, and the flight ability is a good way to make sure you cross certain obstacles.

7. Tails Doll - As popular as this character's eerie appearance might make it, there's actually not a lot it has going for it. The hover-on-water ability does make for some easy short cuts, but its speed is actually quite slow, and the alternative jump/float thing seems a bit more awkward than useful to me.

Bottom Tier

8. Dr. Robotnik - For the main villain, the old doc is quite underpowered. Even if the Eggomatic was really that slow, you'd think a genius like him would have though to bring along a speed booster of some sort... then again, we're talking about an egg that likes to awaken catastrophes sealed away for many years, in which case it's backfired on him every time (see: Sonic Adventure, Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic Battle, Sonic Advanced 3, Sonic Unleashed, Sonic game #9001). The homing missile is also essentially useless. It's slow and inaccurate, yet even if it does hit one the opponents, it hardly stuns them or make them flinch rather than fling them a few feet into the air, after which they'll happily resume jogging around the mazelike deserted island. At least he can hover on water.

9. Amy Rose - Not much worse than Eggman, really. Slower, but the acceleration boost makes her about as fast as Sonic, if not faster. That and her car's hovercraft-like properties are the saving grace of this character that actually lets you win the race. I've actually seen her leading many times on Reactive Factory, so she's not entirely useless.

10. Egg Robo - After what people saw from how Egg Robo handled Robotnik's machines even better than his creator did, you'd think this bot would be serious business. Instead, it just takes some serious kicks to the balls. An improved Eggman would have been great for this game, but the Egg Robo is far from it. Not only is it using the same homing missiles that are as effective as tickling a cactus; not only is it slow and can't even jump, but it also can't hover over water. Now, of course, it does "pseudo"-hover just like the other robots; but the Metal bros can just make like Mario to make sure they don't fall into the water. Egg Robo can't even do that. The thing is, I've seen Egg Robo's rubber band AI waltz across water like it's some sort of robo Jesus, yet even then, it didn't stand a chance against its opponents. It's defenseless, offenseless, slow, and has a useless ability. On the fluff-to-tough scale, Egg Robo's weaker than a roll of toilet paper. It shouldn't be used. Ever.

Concludededd

I continue to enjoy this game every now and then, but I think I would have gotten a lot more sense of challenge in it if I could have chosen which characters I played against. I'd love to play as Sonic and face all the characters I placed in the middle tier, but I'll probably never get that opportunity, because the game isn't programmed to let me, even on an incomplete save.


An Adverse Master Server

The year is 2009. The master server has been dominated by those deemed "noobs" by the other half of the SRB2 community. Many efforts have been made to put a stop to their domination by banning popular hangout servers to get rid of what is considered junk that nobody wants to play. Hold it. Reread that sentence, specifically noting the words "popular" and "nobody". See a problem there? They don't match. The thought that it's "junk" comes from a part of the community that's backed by the authorities. That part is not 75% of the community. It is very well near 50%. Why are we trying to eliminate something we think isn't enjoyable when the other half thinks it is? To be honest, I almost think it rather selfish and a waste of time. Couldn't we compromise?

After thinking these thoughts, I recently decided I don't want to participate in an act (reporting servers, in this case) that will please one side of the community and disappoint the other. I may as well start making hangout maps -- the only difference is that my credibility at different parts of the community will swap places. I would be more successful that way, actually; the master server isn't "improving" at any positive integer of time. Just look at it. We have six simultaneous coop servers going on at once, half of them with a million wads added, and at least one of them doing SA City. It's been like that for months. Tell me if this is a cause worth fighting for.

Frankly, I think the master server should have more of a democratic or capitalistic, perhaps laissez-faire, approach to it. If as many people as possible can enjoy the master server, then it's doing its job. This reporting thing that's been going on for the past year or so has done nothing to convince older players to go back to playing on it, and simply took out a few of the noobs and pissed the rest of the "lesser" community off. I haven't given up on you guys yet, but we gotta be realistic here: the master server isn't our playground anymore, and a few measly bans aren't going to change that. For that reason, I propose the master server needs radical change, and to introduce my thoughts of a system for it, I will tell you what I mean by my previously mentioned terms: democratic, capitalistic, and laissez-faire.



Democracy - Let the majority make the decision. I see a server where everyone is against just one reporter, and the question needs to be asked, "What's the problem?" If everyone but you likes the server, maybe the server doesn't need to be shut down, but rather you need to get someone to host what you want. Ask people if they'd like to play a match game with you, and if enough people agree, then you're all set! Everyone's happy, no servers are shut down. At the same rate, if there's this one host who is a total numbnut and everybody in the server votes to veto him, report his ass and let him be dealt with by the head dick. Same goes for the people who think it's a good idea to load the entire internet of wads onto his server.

Capitalism - By capitalism, I don't mean taking part in stocks or any of that crap; I'm talking about a system of supply-and-demand. If people want a map made a certain way and you're an editor, fulfill the want! And that doesn't mean we have to promote nonquality wads either. When a hangout map comes to your mind, you think of a cramped house with various level design flaws. It doesn't have to be that way. It could be a huge map with a hell of a lot of stuff to do; stuff that makes people go "Hey, Larry, check this out! I found out a way to get the Illustrion-crazy water level to rise above the houses. This is gonna be REALLY interesting." "Why is there water flowing in my living room?" Perhaps not a really good example, but I hope you get the idea. That should at least get people to stop using SA City, and I'm sure we all would like that.

Laissez-faire - This is French for "Let the people do as they please". Here we're talking about something little kids on the master server want to use; this is a Sonic game, and Sonic is aimed toward kids. A lot of us here are damned near adults, and we're going to take away something that younger kids enjoy using in their community circles? It's almost hypocritical from a forum-wide standpoint. So what if the gametypes aren't used exactly as we wanted -- if people enjoy it, then the gametypes' purpose is served. Let them do as they please. On the other hand, if you want your master server back, don't depend on the authorities to do anything for you; dominate the master server yourself. Make a plan, and organize a time for people to play some awesome-sauce match with you. If you outnumber the coop servers, then you've regained power, and the master server is enjoyable for the older community once again. But I think #srb2fun won't do this.... Will you?


Thus I bring my thoughts on the matter to a close.


Do a Barrel Roll

Or try a somersault.

Once when we were bowling, I distracted my friend with every meme I could think of.

  • friend gets ready to bowl

<BlueWarrior> Hold A to charge your laser!

  • friend is in the middle of attempting a strike

<BlueWarrior> IMA CHARGIN' MAH LAZER

  • friend tosses the ball

<BlueWarrior> IMA FIRIN' MAH LAZER

  • friend hits two pins


... While we're on the subject of shooping da whoop, I should totally edit that OMFG Seaking pic I made a year ago. Then again, maybe I should go to bed.

Then again, maybe I should do a barrel roll.

... Then again, maybe I should go to bed. >_>

Addendum - This sandbox article is proof that I am an idiot.


Points System

Having mods listed on the wiki just isn't going to work without some sort of guidelines to follow. If there isn't some seal of quality to gain first, then all the mods article would be is an advertisement cesspool. SRB2 Modifications should be graded based on how much they affect the community.


+1 = Levels - One point for each exceptionally well-done level -- act, not zone. Use common sense on what's well-done and what isn't. Incomplete levels, clones, and placeholder levels do not count as points (SA City and Mystic Realm: Second Quest levels don't count, as a result). Well-done multiplayer levels count as points.

+1 = Bonus Levels - Add a point for each level that must be accessed by reaching a certain requirement (i.e. A Mystic Temple level is both a bonus level and a well-done level, therefore it is rewarded 2 points total).

+1 = Custom things - One point for each independent thing type added into the mod. A custom projectile needs to be spawned by some other thing type to function properly, so it isn't independent.

+3 OR +6 = Emblems - If the mod contains multiple emblems in most levels, add six points to the total score. If there are only a few emblems in the mod, add three points instead.

-5 to 0 = Bugs - If the mod has noticeable bugs or glitches, subtract as many as five points five points. If the game has no noticeable bugs or none at all, do not withdraw points.

-4, 0, +3 = Graphics - If the graphics chosen are horrendous, subtract four points. If graphics are subpar, points stay as-is. If graphics seem very nice, add three.

+2 = Secrets - Add two points for each collectible secret on the Secrets menu.

+6, +12 = Gameplay Mod - Basic gameplay alterations. If a mod features minor gameplay modifications, add six points. If the mod features major gameplay modification, add twelve. Sonic Riders would go under major gameplay modification, while a simple soc extending jump height would be minor.

-2 to +9 = Other Features - Various features that enhance gameplay. For each feature, points are exchanged based on the effect of the feature. Most of SRB2JTE's features (extended Christmas theme, Soviet Russia, etc.) would be rewarded about 4 to 6, JTE bots being rewarded at 8. Features that disrupt gameplay would be "rewarded" -1 or -2.

-1 OR +1 = Music - For each lump, a point will be added or subtracted: added if the music fits well as background music, subtracted if not.

Not finalized, I'll make more changes later.

Addendum - Although this sandbox entry spawned from an issue brought up in Talk:Mod/Archive 1, the points system was ultimately scratched. As with the Mods article, it was decided that the significance of an addon could not be decided based on quality or features alone, but rather by how significant it is to the community. There was actually a big discussion regarding this, and I think it's pretty neat to see that it's still in the same spot even after Mod got redirected.


Mods

AKA "Mods: The Rewrite"

The abbreviation mod means just as it implies: SRB2 modifications. There are many kinds of mods, be it level packs, newer enemies, additions to a graphics renderer, or just entirely changing the gameplay.

Level Packs

Level packs are zones created by other people for use with SRB2. These may also consist of extra music, graphics, and/or SOCs.

  • Acid Missile - Three-zone level pack, with three unlockables, twenty emblems, and a final level.
  • Blue Heaven - Currently a five-zone level pack, with one new background and two extra midis for background music.
  • Mystic Realm - A seven-zone level pack with a few new enemies/bosses, several extra levels, many unlockables, and 75 emblems in total.

Please make sure your level pack has at least three complete zones before starting its article.

EXE Modification

EXE modification involves the altering of SRB2win.exe itself, and changes the basic gameplay or graphics renderers of SRB2. These custom EXEs will often take use of another wad file for extra graphics, soccing, and levels as well.

  • PrettyRB2 - An OpenGL modification.
  • ShufflarB2 - A modification that, for the most part, adds new thing types. The mod is meant primarily to aid users in level design, allowing for a slightly different experience than in regular SRB2.
  • SRB2JTE - A wide-scale modification, with the inclusion of bots, special abilities, and the now defunct Universe mode, among others.
  • SRB2Riders - A modification based on the official Sonic game, Sonic Riders. Contains levels, characters, and basic gameplay modifications.

Please make sure that your EXE has been released and given good reviews before creating its Wiki page.

Others...?

Hey, you! Yeah, you, with the shirt!

I need ideas. Should there be anything else other than level packs and EXE mods? Is this just the right amount of stuff? Share your ideas on this talk page.

Addendum - The sandbox article mods eventually became Modifications. Although the format stayed relatively the same, the "Please make sure" messages were removed since everyone basically agreed that the mods that go up should be the ones of the most community significance, not the ones that are the biggest. Of course, present-day Modifications is basically empty due to the fact that 2.0 has been released. So, eh.


The Complete Definitions of Noob and Newbie

Many times, people are referred to as noobs and newbs, often when they do something stupid, or something that clarifies them as being new. The mistake that many people make is they assume the terms to be a simple matter of spelling preference rather than as different meanings.

A newbie/newb is simply another word for "newcomer" or "new person". Any person whom just found out about a certain website or community is new to it, hence being referred to as newbie. Once a newbie has gained knowledge and experience from being at the community, they are then considered a regular user, or even an "oldbie" as time passes.

A noob is a negative term for a person and has nothing to do with time. The term literally means "stupid, arrogant, and/or highly annoying". The word "stupid" alone sets the difference between a newb and a noob; a newb could lack knowledge on a certain subject and make a mistake, but as he/she realizes it, the newb will learn from the mistake and make one step towards being an experienced user. Meanwhile, a noob will make the same mistake and be completely oblivious to it. Oftentimes, a noob will react harshly when introduced to criticism, and translate such criticism as an offense or insult. This, as a result, makes them highly annoying.

Noobishness can normally be spotted right off the bat. Such a person could have not read the rules or the FAQ, and could be spewing incorrect statements left and right, refusing to change his/her opinion under any circumstances. More so than not, their posts will contain thousands of grammatical errors, sometimes accompanied by the overuse of exclamation and smilies, and underuse of periods and commas. Noobs should generally be avoided and, if granted the ability, banned from the community due to excessive stupidity.

Newbies, on the other hand, should be treated with kindness. Any newbie to a certain forum who has talked on the internet before should be able to learn the ropes easily -- a young newcomer may be easily offended by harsh criticism, however, so it is ideal to greet him/her well and make suggestions without hinting sternness or irritation.

  • Hey, shouldn't this actually go as a legit article on the SRB2 Wiki? –SonicMaster 15:59, 31 October 2007 (PDT)
  • Dunno, doesn't seem to have much pertaining SRB2 more than it does the internet in general. I think I just put it here because I didn't know where else to put it. >_>; As for the MODs article, yeah, I should probably do something about that.Blue Warrior lulz 17:46, 31 October 2007 (PDT)
  • My only concern is that this doesn't strike me as exactly factual to SRB2, specifically. Do we need a page like this, and if so, why? --Digiku talk 18:05, 31 October 2007 (PDT)
  • We definitely don't need a page for it, but it could be legitimate...maybe... Hmmm, now that I think of it, it wouldn't fit well... –SonicMaster 18:53, 31 October 2007 (PDT)
Retrieved from "https://wiki.srb2.org/w/index.php?title=User:Blue_Warrior/Sandbox/Archives&oldid=75113"