DUX for Dreamcast

armalyte · Post by **armalyte** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 1:34 pm

Hello. I have tested DUX with a VGA Cable / VGA Monitor and with a RGB Cable / TV. With the RGB Cable DUX runs much faster than with the VGA Cable. When it runs faster it's possible to "reproduce" the Scorebug. No way with the VGA Cable. The difference is the same as the difference between 50Hz and 60Hz in my opinion. I hope this helps to solve the Problem.

ZacharyB · Post by **ZacharyB** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 2:03 pm

Talk about your obscure bug triggers...

Thanks armalyte for that keen bit of detective work.

armalyte · Post by **armalyte** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 2:17 pm

I made two Videos:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PVG5YXT6

mjclark · Post by **mjclark** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 3:19 pm

We are so primitive here I am using UHF cable to my 50Hz-only CRT and it runs fast just like the RGB video and produces the scoring bug.
Was Dux only playtested on VGA then?

KBZ · Post by **KBZ** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 4:53 pm

This is unacceptable. I can't think of many who are as forgiving as I am with homebrew games, especially on DC. But this in its current form after all that's happened, does not deserve to sit on a shelf next to another great game like wind and water.

I've cancelled my order.

RHE · Post by **RHE** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:50 pm

I hope you don't regret your choice. I'm sure you have a NTSC system, where the bug does not appear. And I also hope you never find any bugs on other games. Good luck.

However, the games has been tested on all kinds of TVs and cables (besides UHF), and it's mainly play tested on NTSCs console and PAL consoles using VGA. And the only reason why this bug happens is because, we want to offer a better service for 50hz only Pal user. Normally 50hz games run slower, but we adjusted the speed to make it run as fast as on 60hz. Unfortunately, there's a bug on that 50hz mode. Even more unfortunately, on a CRT with RGB the game forces the 50hz mode, with that bug.

There's going to be a way to obtain a bug free disc for free soon.

Jockel · Post by **Jockel** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:59 pm

RHE wrote: There's going to be a way to obtain a bug free disc for free soon.

I suggest uploading the cd image and give the link to all buyers via mail.
Would be the cheapest solution, i suppose.
So there wouldn't be a need for a new print run or trade-in crap or whatever.

RHE · Post by **RHE** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:08 pm

My first issue with that is, such selfmade CDs strain the laser more then GDs and professionally pressed CDs. My second issue is, that even people who don't the pay for the game, get a legal way to play the game w/o supporting us.

To offer a pressed CD has its cost, but its still affordable. Of course there needs to be a proof of purchase.

Hydeux · Post by **Hydeux** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:34 pm

For free : you mean shipment as well ?
Proof of purchase, for those who ordered via PA I assume ? (I mean YOU sent me my game, what could be a better proof !)
Will there be some other corrections ? (the "you got to continue issue" for instance)

BTW, I repeat here that the game is quite correct (if you like to learn things by heart), and graphs and music are just GREAT !

RHE · Post by **RHE** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:42 pm

Customers have to cover shipment, which is very low for sending a single CD. Those continue thingies are also going to be corrected.

It also doesn't matter where the specific customer got the game from, a photo of the game and the name of the purchaser is enough. HUCAST.net customers do not have to send a proof.

heavymetalme · Post by **heavymetalme** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:49 pm

1000 REPLY!

The Coop · Post by **The Coop** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 10:34 pm

RHE wrote:Customers have to cover shipment, which is very low for sending a single CD. Those continue thingies are also going to be corrected.

It also doesn't matter where the specific customer got the game from, a photo of the game and the name of the purchaser is enough. HUCAST.net customers do not have to send a proof.

If a photo and such is enough for Dux, then why are you expecting Last hope customers to send you their instruction manual? Why not go the photo route, or a photo with the current paper like with the LE of LH?

Just curious.

emphatic · Post by **emphatic** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 10:42 pm

The Coop wrote:
RHE wrote:Customers have to cover shipment, which is very low for sending a single CD. Those continue thingies are also going to be corrected.

It also doesn't matter where the specific customer got the game from, a photo of the game and the name of the purchaser is enough. HUCAST.net customers do not have to send a proof.
If a photo and such is enough for Dux, then why are you expecting Last hope customers to send you their instruction manual? Why not go the photo route, or a photo with the current paper like with the LE of LH?

Just curious.

Since this is a bug fix and not a "wholly new product", it's fair, don't you think?

RHE · Post by **RHE** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 11:04 pm

It may happen that some people try to fool me but then they only get a single CD. And I'm sure these people know other ways to get the blank game anyway.

Zeether · Post by **Zeether** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:55 am

heavymetalme wrote:1000 REPLY!

fucking record

Jockel · Post by **Jockel** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 5:58 am

RHE wrote:And I'm sure these people know other ways to get the blank game anyway.

And that's the reason why i don't see a problem in just releasing it as image.
You know, you don't have to take it on the front page of hucast.net

I mean yeah if your link pops up in a warez-forum, bad luck - but it would get ripped and uploaded sometimes anyway and people who want to support you will already have bought the game, or buy it then; people who download it off the net will download it off the net.
I don't think you lose anything, you know?

armalyte · Post by **armalyte** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 6:52 am

I don't want an image or a selfburmed CD. I want a pressed CD with a professional Label on it. So RHEs solution is the best for me.

@RHE: Thank you for fixing the continue thingies, too...

rtw · Post by **rtw** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 7:20 am

I finally managed to put some time into DUX. I'm playing on a VGA monitor so I don't get the RGB bug.

I'm very impressed with the game, clearly a lot of tender love and care has gone into it. The graphics fit the game perfectly, the game mechanics add that little extra to the R-Type/Pulstar genre and the music is awesome

I'm a bit disappointed with all the schadenfreude shown in this thread especially by people who have clearly not played the game or experienced the bug.

I'm happy that the continue issue will be adressed. However it would be nice with some kind of key mapping as well. I can play my Dreamcast in my arcade cabinet but I only have buttons A,B,X,Y mapped. With this setup it would be slightly difficult to soak any bullets

Very nice effort RHE, Mark & Andre

Plasmo · Post by **Plasmo** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:07 am

Have to agree with rtw.
I've 1CCed this game a dozen times now and I'm enjoying it a lot. For me this game is among the most beautiful shmups I've played. The art-direction and design are fantastic, everything looks so crisp. Those fat lasers and huge bullets just look too cool!
With the bug(s) removed, I can finally start playing this game seriously, right now it's just trying for the no miss (which actually isn't that easy, because of the rank)
DUX can easily hold up with Milestone games (and imo surpasses them).

sebnec · Post by **sebnec** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:53 am

RHE wrote:It may happen that some people try to fool me but then they only get a single CD. And I'm sure these people know other ways to get the blank game anyway.

Hi!

By the way, I wanted to ask you a question concerning Last Hope: pink bullets.

I own Last hope for Dreamcast but I kept it factory sealed, for collection concerns. I would not like to open it in order to send you the manual (which could be lost in the process: I don't confide in the postal services in my hometown).

Is there a way I could order Pink bullet without sending anything to you (maybe a proof of order, if I still own it, or a picture of me with the game in hand)? I'd really like to buy it at mid-price cause I already payed full price for the first print.

Thanks in advance for your answer.

By the way, I received Dux last week, played it a dozen minutes (yes, I opened the box for this one!) and found it really nice. I don't care about scoring affairs but it's nice from you to fix this problem so even hardcore shmups fanatics can appreciate you game the way it should. Congrats for the good job done so far by your two colleagues and you.

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:53 pm

sebnec wrote:I own Last hope for Dreamcast but I kept it factory sealed, for collection concerns.

I'm sure this will make it more desirable.

Hydeux · Post by **Hydeux** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:43 pm

@ RHE : would you have a date for the "bug free disc" to be released/sent ? (as I'm the one who got to test Dux on shmup.com*, should I wait or will this take a long time ?)

* : have I already mentioned that http://www.shmup.com/ is the best french shmup site you'll ever see ?

RHE · Post by **RHE** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:04 pm

That bug free disc comes this or next week.

Btw, I'm glad to see a few people here already enjoy the game nonthless.

sebnec · Post by **sebnec** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:12 pm

Elixir wrote:I'm sure this will make it more desirable.

Like a (nice looking) woman in a beautiful dress.

heavymetalme · Post by **heavymetalme** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 12:59 am

First off, I'm not by any means a good player. I'm an enthusiast who loves his Dreamcast for the sole purpose of shmupping, and I do it quite often, but I'm still not a phenomenal player.

I read all this bologna about these bugs well before I got it (just today in the mail), so I figured I'd notice SOMETHING, but no. To me, this game is just fine. I enjoy it a lot- the graphics are nice, the soundtrack is very good, and over all, I find it to be quite fun.

Specineff · Post by **Specineff** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 3:56 am

^^ What a relief. I myself wanted to reserve my judgement until I played it, too.

lgb · Post by **lgb** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 2:28 pm

RHE wrote:You mean it's not depending on taste?

Counter-stops aren't exactly something popular. But in the games that have it, trying to get that counterstop requires a "good bit of skill". Something like Guwange, Mars Matrix, or Dimahoo.

But those going on about this bug are claiming that DUX's counter-stop doesn't require any skill at all to do. This, for players focused on scoring, is a bad thing. No skill required, no "sense of achievement", or whatever.

But look at things like Gunstar Heroes. It's got counter-stop and, "even worse", infinite scoring since the game has no real timer on stages and you can just sit there for hours blasting at the same enemy. But people just don't care about it, they just play the game... like the people who actually claim to have played DUX here.

The continue thing is kinda weird, though.

mjclark · Post by **mjclark** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 2:36 pm

I must say that in spite of all the delays and glitches I am really really enjoying Dux now.
The graphics are tasty, the soundtracks's great and the gameplay is fun.
When the RGB bug and the continues issue are fixed this will be absolutely top notch

Plasmo · Post by **Plasmo** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 2:46 pm

mjclark wrote:When the RGB bug and the continues issue are fixed this will be absolutely top notch

!!!

NAVVARR · Post by **NAVVARR** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 3:27 pm

I've preordered both the ordinary version and the LE edition at separate times and neither has turned up yet...

-I've not changed address or moved house or anything...

-Should I be getting worried, a lot of people seem to have received theirs by now.

-I live in Glasgow, UK - by the way.