Super Metroid: Spectrum - The Hacking Journal

2009-04-24 06:09:39 pm

Alright, I've talked about this for a little while, and I have finally started it. Here is what this "Hacking Journal" is all about:

1. I record myself as I hack. From there I edit the recording a bit, so it isn't as long and tedious.
2. In some videos I will be explaining what I'm doing (commentary), in others it will just be my hacking.
3. It will not just be isolated to just SMILE. If I use TLP, or any kind of extra programs (hex editor, ASM work) it will be included. It will be SMILE most of the time though.

Quick Note on Desolation:

I have been asked a few times "Why did you stop working on Desolation?" and wanted to clear it up. I have not stopped work on Desolation. It has been slow, i'll give you that, but it is not dead. Here is some reasons why its been slowly moving along.

1. Due to poor hacking practices from when I started (Remember I started this hack after playing with SMILE for 1-2 weeks!) I have ran into many problems that have been time consuming, and sometimes difficult to fix.

2. Since I have become more experienced, I have gone back and redesigned quite a few rooms that were too simple or just badly designed.

3. I've been bogged down with school work these past few weeks, trying to finish up my school year.

So quick conclusion: I don't think a spring release is going to happen, at least not this year (I never did mention a year did I? Whistle

) but the final product should be much better than I anticipated. As my knowledge grows so does my ability to create a better, polished, and more complete hack. Until than I will be working on Desolation, and Spectrum as time permits. Wink

Here is the first video: (It is a review of what I already had done before I thought of this project.)

Thread title:

Alright, I've talked about this for a little while, and I have finally started it. Here is what this "Hacking Journal" is all about:

1. I record myself as I hack. From there I edit the recording a bit, so it isn't as long and tedious. 
2. In some videos I will be explaining what I'm doing (commentary), in others it will just be my hacking. 
3. It will not just be isolated to just SMILE. If I use TLP, or any kind of extra programs (hex editor, ASM work) it will be included. It will be SMILE most of the time though.

Quick Note on Desolation:

I have been asked a few times "Why did you stop working on Desolation?" and wanted to clear it up. I have not stopped work on Desolation. It has been slow, i'll give you that, but it is not dead. Here is some reasons why its been slowly moving along.

1. Due to poor hacking practices from when I started (Remember I started this hack after playing with SMILE for 1-2 weeks!) I have ran into many problems that have been time consuming, and sometimes difficult to fix.

2. Since I have become more experienced, I have gone back and redesigned quite a few rooms that were too simple or just badly designed.

3. I've been bogged down with school work these past few weeks, trying to finish up my school year.

So quick conclusion: I don't think a spring release is going to happen, at least not this year (I never did mention a year did I?  :lalala_orig:) but the final product should be much better than I anticipated. As my knowledge grows so does my ability to create a better, polished, and more complete hack. Until than I will be working on Desolation, and Spectrum as time permits.  :wink:

Here is the first video: (It is a review of what I already had done before I thought of this project.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy-7qeojoPU

Opium

2009-04-25 12:12:39 am

If you were to make a series of videos showing how to hack that would be a godsend to visual learners like myself. I have an interest in doing it but lack the patience of reading pages of dry material when only half of it sinks in since I'm more visual than that. The trial and error of simply opening up SMILE and farting around in it gets old when I have to pour over a bunch of written material everytime I have a question (and I have many). I would be more excited about a series of how-to hacking videos than any hack itself. This first video seemed to be more about that particular hack and how to play it than anything else, I'm anxiously awaiting the next video since I hope it actually shows you using the tools. :) Great idea, btw.

Acheron

2009-04-25 01:29:00 am

Acclaimed Threshold

Constant Sorrows

On those lines, I'd probably make a series of videos myself, but I have no knowledge of capturing video. If anyone feels like simplifying that for me, I'd make some beginner's guide vids. You know, scratch my back and I scratch yours.

Of course, if Shadow beats me to it, that's fine too. I'm just tired of answering the same questions in the SMILE thread over and over and over again.

Xaggoth

2009-04-25 01:59:53 am

Hmm... I watched the first vid, and it would be cool to see how other people work, but I don't want to spoil playing the final product later... oh the dilemma.

Quote from Acheron86:

I'm just tired of answering the same questions in the SMILE thread over and over and over again.

Well to be fair, a thread of miscellaneous questions and a .txt faq aren't very user friendly types of literature. Someone should compile the moonedit guide into a .pdf or something with nice pictures and tutorials.

Opium

2009-04-25 02:37:36 am

I would like to see a beginners video which simply uses rooms in the original ROM as examples of how the game works, how SMILE works, etc. It should start with the most basic concepts assuming the viewer knows nothing except how to play super metroid. There are quite a few places in the SMILE FAQ that attempt to explain things using ideas or acronyms that haven't been explained themselves, so basically the answers only lead to more questions. Simplification can be difficult for someone who is already knowledgeable as it is sometimes hard to revert back to the mindset of the noob.

I respond best to the simplified method of TELL ME - SHOW ME. It's basically exactly what it sounds like. The written info merely achieves the TELL ME part of it. The SHOW ME part is where many of the questions derived from the TELL ME will be answered. This also works best when each step is TOLD and SHOWN twice. TELL the concept, then SHOW it. Now TELL it in a different way, and SHOW it in a different way. Now move on to the next item. That's just the way I learn best as a visual person, and most people are visual learners. If one could use the SMILE FAQ as a basic outline for the videos, it would be an enormous help.

Creating a series of videos from beginner all the way through advanced sounds too daunting. I believe there is a basic understanding that is much more important to teach. If the 1-2-3's of WHAT WHERE WHY & HOW can be taught then everything else should begin to make more sense simply using the written material. I'm not saying that anyone should be able to do this, if the info is presented as simply as possible and the viewer still is unable to understand then maybe hacking just isn't for them. Whoever creates a good, comprehensive set of videos explaining SMILE for beginners deserves major kudos.

I would like to see a beginners video which simply uses rooms in the original ROM as examples of how the game works, how SMILE works, etc.   It should start with the most basic concepts assuming the viewer knows nothing except how to play super metroid.   There are quite a few places in the SMILE FAQ that attempt to explain things using ideas or acronyms that haven't been explained themselves, so basically the answers only lead to more questions. Simplification can be difficult for someone who is already knowledgeable as it is sometimes hard to revert back to the mindset of the noob.

I respond best to the simplified method of TELL ME - SHOW ME.   It's basically exactly what it sounds like.  The written info merely achieves the TELL ME part of it.  The SHOW ME part is where many of the questions derived from the TELL ME will be answered.  This also works best when each step is TOLD and SHOWN twice.  TELL the concept, then SHOW it.  Now TELL it in a different way, and SHOW it in a different way. Now move on to the next item.  That's just the way I learn best as a visual person, and most people are visual learners.   If one could use the SMILE FAQ as a basic outline for the videos, it would be an enormous help.

Creating a series of videos from beginner all the way through advanced sounds too daunting.  I believe there is a  basic understanding that is much more important to teach.  If the 1-2-3's of WHAT WHERE WHY & HOW can be taught then everything else should begin to make more sense simply using the written material.  I'm not saying that anyone should be able to do this, if the info is presented as simply as possible and the viewer still is unable to understand then maybe hacking just isn't for them. Whoever creates a good, comprehensive set of videos explaining SMILE for beginners deserves major kudos.

Shadow34370

Edit history:

Shadow34370: 2009-04-25 03:59:44 pm

2009-04-25 07:55:12 am

Hey everyone, thanks for replying! Opium, you idea on making a series of videos that go over the SMILE FAQ top to bottom is a great idea, and I might take you up on it Think

. However, I want to make one thing clear. This project is not a tutorial on using SMILE. It is merely me hacking, and viewers watching. Now, it is not quite as dry as that since I do some editing to keep it moving, but I don't explain in detail everything I am doing. The main focus of this project was for viewers to watch and see how a fellow hacker, hacks. Hopefully, from watching viewers can avoid bad hacking habits, come up with new idea, gain inspiration, or rather just be entertained. Also, important note, I plan on creating three modes for this hack. Easy, Medium, and Hard. Easy and medium will be shown in the video, but hard will not. Hard mode with have a slightly different level design, and items will be hidden in different locations. Therefore, you should be able to watch without ruining the hack for you.

P.S. I only listed the first video, but already have two others out. Here they are....

P.S.S Also, please leave comments letting me know what you think. If there is a way I can approve the videos so they are not as boring let me know! One other thing (gah, I keep going Very Happy

) I do have quite a few SMILE help videos already out, if you wish to see check my channel on youtube. I think a link is attached to my sig...Otherwise my username is Shadow34370. Here is a list of what I already have out:

SMILE HELP
==========
1. SMILE Scroll Pointer Help Parts 1-2
2. SMILE Adding Doors
3. SMILE Liquid Editing Parts 1-2
4. SMILE Moving Save Stations

TLP HELP
==========
1. TLP Basics of Super Metroid
2. TLP Scenery and Special GFX Parts 1-2
3. TLP Editing Enemies
4. TLP Changing Beam Sprites

ASM HELP (This series explains how my airtube.asm patch works)
==========
Basic ASM: Super Metroid Parts 1-4

There we go I'm done... Dancing

Edit: Apparently not done yet...

Quote from Acheron86:

On those lines, I'd probably make a series of videos myself, but I have no knowledge of capturing video. If anyone feels like simplifying that for me, I'd make some beginner's guide vids. You know, scratch my back and I scratch yours.

Of course, if Shadow beats me to it, that's fine too. I'm just tired of answering the same questions in the SMILE thread over and over and over again.

The recorder I use is CamStuido. Its free and works fairly well. I don't use it when I am showing in-game examples though. I use the built in Emulator recording function. As for editing (Speed ups, fades, etc...) I use windows movie maker, which I think you can download free if you don't have it, but not sure...

Hey everyone, thanks for replying! Opium, you idea on making a series of videos that go over the SMILE FAQ top to bottom is a great idea, and I might take you up on it   :um_orig:. However, I want to make one thing clear. This project is not a tutorial on using SMILE. It is merely me hacking, and viewers watching. Now, it is not quite as dry as that since I do some editing to keep it moving, but I don't explain in detail everything I am doing. The main focus of this project was for viewers to watch and see how a fellow hacker, hacks. Hopefully, from watching viewers can avoid bad hacking habits, come up with new idea, gain inspiration, or rather just be entertained. Also, important note, I plan on creating three modes for this hack. Easy, Medium, and Hard. Easy and medium will be shown in the video, but hard will not. Hard mode with have a slightly different level design, and items will be hidden in different locations. Therefore, you should be able to watch without ruining the hack for you.

P.S. I only listed the first video, but already have two others out. Here they are....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqOYo5fAZLk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP4PoG7-yjM

P.S.S Also, please leave comments letting me know what you think. If there is a way I can approve the videos so they are not as boring let me know! One other thing (gah, I keep going  :veryhappy_orig:) I do have quite a few SMILE help videos already out, if you wish to see check my channel on youtube. I think a link is attached to my sig...Otherwise my username is Shadow34370. Here is a list of what I already have out:

SMILE HELP
==========
1. SMILE Scroll Pointer Help Parts 1-2
2. SMILE Adding Doors
3. SMILE Liquid Editing Parts 1-2
4. SMILE Moving Save Stations

TLP HELP
==========
1. TLP Basics of Super Metroid
2. TLP Scenery and Special GFX Parts 1-2
3. TLP Editing Enemies
4. TLP Changing Beam Sprites

ASM HELP (This series explains how my airtube.asm patch works)
==========
Basic ASM: Super Metroid Parts 1-4

There we go I'm done... :ohyeah_orig:

Edit: Apparently not done yet...
[quote="Acheron86"]
On those lines, I'd probably make a series of videos myself, but I have no knowledge of capturing video. If anyone feels like simplifying that for me, I'd make some beginner's guide vids. You know, scratch my back and I scratch yours.

Of course, if Shadow beats me to it, that's fine too. I'm just tired of answering the same questions in the SMILE thread over and over and over again.
[/quote]

The recorder I use is CamStuido. Its free and works fairly well. I don't use it when I am showing in-game examples though. I use the built in Emulator recording function. As for editing (Speed ups, fades, etc...) I use windows movie maker, which I think you can download free if you don't have it, but not sure...

Quietus

Edit history:

Quietus: 2009-04-25 02:55:37 pm

2009-04-25 02:02:21 pm

Super Secret Area - Dead Ahead!

I too think this is a fantastic ides, and I stand with Opium, in that I learn ten times quicker from a video example than from written text. I would also suggest adding information to the first post relating to applying patches (the whole headered / unheadered thing), so that those questions are stopped as well. It could then become a sort of Beginner's Hacking topic. Oh, and stickying may not be a bad idea. Very Happy

Regarding the videos, it may be worthwhile, for all those willing to make the videos (major thanks up front) to kind of standardise the info, so that users are informed click for click. Simple things like "always remember the square BTS on slopes" would soon become ingrained into your memory, and would hopefully stop those things being asked.

Quote from Opium:

I have to pour over a bunch of written material

(Pore) Not picking, because this made me chuckle, as it reminded me of the whole bear / bare thing I did recently. Razz

EDIT: Shadow, are those last two vids the same..? Eh?

I too think this is a fantastic ides, and I stand with Opium, in that I learn ten times quicker from a video example than from written text.  I would also suggest adding information to the first post relating to applying patches (the whole headered / unheadered thing), so that those questions are stopped as well.  It could then become a sort of Beginner's Hacking topic.  Oh, and stickying may not be a bad idea. :grin:

Regarding the videos, it may be worthwhile, for all those willing to make the videos (major thanks up front) to kind of standardise the info, so that users are informed click for click.  Simple things like "always remember the square BTS on slopes" would soon become ingrained into your memory, and would hopefully stop those things being asked.

[quote="Opium"]I have to [b]pour[/b] over a bunch of written material[/quote] (Pore) Not picking, because this made me chuckle, as it reminded me of the whole bear / bare thing I did recently. :razz:

EDIT: Shadow, are those last two vids the same..? :huh_orig:

Opium

2009-04-25 02:06:03 pm

Quote from Shadow34370:

Hey everyone, thanks for replying! Opium, you idea on making a series of videos that go over the SMILE FAQ top to bottom is a great idea, and I might take you up on it Think

. However, I want to make one thing clear. This project is not a tutorial on using SMILE. It is merely me hacking, and viewers watching. Now, it is not quite as dry as that since I do some editing to keep it moving, but I don't explain in detail everything I am doing. The main focus of this project was for viewers to watch and see how a fellow hacker, hacks.

Ah, I guess I misunderstood what spectrum was all about: for a hacker to see how a fellow hacker hacks. Still, i hope you or someone else does create some videos that are more tutorial as I've described. Sorry if I took your thread off track a little.

Shadow34370

2009-04-25 04:00:22 pm

Quote from Quietus:

EDIT: Shadow, are those last two vids the same..? Eh?

Opps, sorry about that! All fixed now... Embarassed

Tyjet66

2009-04-25 04:32:42 pm

What'd you say?

I really enjoy seeing someone else hack, it helps me come up with new ideas.

Also, do you mind if I add you on runescape? My account name is "Tyjet66" (duh lol laugh new

).