Level Creation Megathread

[A Random Player]

PS. The only escape is death = EVIL

Teehee. I was hoping to include an unwinnable section in 4A4C, but it didn't work out. This time I had enough space, and I made certain to place the sign chamber level with and right next to the door, just to taunt the player. What was your reaction when you realized you were stuck?

"Ok, I got the star [the bottom right]. Hey, there's a spike chamber near the exit! I wonder what's there, curious about the sign.
...'The only escape is death.' hmm I mean I can just get back up there right?" *charge jumps*
"Hmm I remember Andy talking about this, if you charge you can see where you are. K," [bzzzzzzzzz...]
"Ok, I mean there's got to be some fields up here, not much because of the grounding, but still a bit.
Wait... I thought I learned from my experiments there's no fields outside of the screen.. But still, I can just jump back down. Wait, what's with all the spikes... I don't think I can make it. Oh well."
*jump*

I thought perhaps you could skip landing on the top entirely, and fall straight back down. I haven't tried it yet:

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Error

Failed to initialize player

GLContext: failed to create offsceen context: Unknown error [-1073283041]
Failed to initialize Direct3D 9.
Make sure you have DirectX 9.0c installed, have drivers for your
graphics card and have not disabled 3D acceleration
in display settings.
InitializeEngineGraphics failed

[testtubegames]

However, be aware that my computer REALLY doesn't like this level.

Played around a bit with this level so far. Reaaaaally want to get that star above the spawn point. Reaaaaally doubt I can. But I'll keep on trying.

It makes some sense that your computer might not like this level. 'Special' tiles tend to take more time for the game to process (things like crates, and guns, and switches). Still, this level shouldn't be *that* laggy... since it's not like the all-star level you made or anything. I'll see what I can do to optimize.

[NealCruco]

It makes some sense that your computer might not like this level. 'Special' tiles tend to take more time for the game to process (things like crates, and guns, and switches). Still, this level shouldn't be *that* laggy... since it's not like the all-star level you made or anything. I'll see what I can do to optimize.

4A4C: 11 guns, 159 crates
4348: 11 guns, 101 crates

The computer does strain a bit to run 4A4C, but it doesn't lag, and it doesn't freeze. So special tiles in general cannot be the cause. However, 4348 has four switches, while 4A4C has none. I remember you saying that multiple switches would give the computer many more calculations, so my guess is that the switches are the cause of the lagging.

[A Random Player]

In regards to memory levels, I'm ran 4348 and my Shocktopus.exe is using about 750,000 K memory (from task manager) (nearly twice my biggest IE window, which probably has at least 10 tabs), but it peaked at ~800KK when loading. I was getting about 500KK just before, running a simple level with some guns, 3 stars, and one button. Reloading that level gets my memory usage to ~820KK... and opening yet another one gets me to ~860KK.
Are you sure we don't have a memory leak in there somewhere? I have been noticing a gradual slowdown as I keep TES running..

[NealCruco]

In regards to memory levels, I'm ran 4348 and my Shocktopus.exe is using about 750,000 K memory (from task manager) (nearly twice my biggest IE window, which probably has at least 10 tabs), but it peaked at ~800KK when loading. I was getting about 500KK just before, running a simple level with some guns, 3 stars, and one button. Reloading that level gets my memory usage to ~820KK... and opening yet another one gets me to ~860KK.
Are you sure we don't have a memory leak in there somewhere? I have been noticing a gradual slowdown as I keep TES running..

Come to think of it, I've noticed the same thing. Not really in normal play, but definitely when testing 4348. When first loaded, the level usually runs at full speed, though it still freezes occasionally. After entering and exiting edit mode, it slows down significantly, as if the FPS is yanked down. The problem gets worse every time I edit the level.

[testtubegames]

I've added the lagging and memory leaks to the bug list. I now see why the switches would run so slowly. Even an empty switch acts as if it were full (just with blank tiles all across the screen), which makes for a lot of big textures, and even the hints ended up with the same problem. (They grew out of the switch object). So now this makes total sense.

[A Random Player]

More levels!

Tedium Box Maze Spike Boxes
(Note - This level is impossible.)

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[The Electric Shocktopus-"Spike Boxes"-eNrtVUsSgyAMvYtrFqX6dDxLx20v0O6Y3r1+UT4hoHTTIc7oGB55JHmAEqzh5LPMtWM5P5EQP4M7Ys45xoER/wzKz2v/HfF2LCJsNCyUv1XQ3XHvyawCSWuUj9Hnd7oOvqpxKESsgy+qMRAHkxZVWIZyniFF3dgBDYXJGVjD5TVlP7ZtfaVtuymyFBsRiD09jStVvSvxEJksoKJYDIj18mcEQRSCaMJIVjIIBdiDHxg4RrBkSFoOmwASEHQyCCntUj3ZfoFrsgMZMokefEOQ0jNveTOV098lundgCZHcQFiX7VkZ+jOgC5eLK5zR9epZuaSdhhFcg6qe44E/fl7jp2sh2mkvDPnugGLFfmOSBWyyrrsi62J/oHh9Tteiuy2C1q7GcTU30far6/MFYDjSgw==]

No Waste:

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[The Electric Shocktopus-"No Waste"-eNrtlE0OgyAQRu/CmkVHGahnadj2Au2OePdibRtoQqUajcL3wMyCCb/PcdLDs9rKNJ3chF0e3tOqqQx6fmQW989ca8z3a+8zchIPkciN45Ks4UU4vbvAVnq1QOQ49x/Ppu4oMmFcNugUjXyNOSfuQl6yf5N0OFaOzTsz56xzuCTrxNU/ug83H4xWUg8XYrM9AGC30NtrRfAaVKO7bqA7KLKQtzAb1FLGT5AdFFrIGW6DKlTnM1QHxRZyI3U32m37B0DMniQ=]

You Only Get One Jump-rope
Edit: Old version (easier)

Spoiler

Show

This is not the official YOGOJ, I just forgot to add a switch-block in this version. Kept for posterity.

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[The Electric Shocktopus-"You Only Get One Jump-rope"-eNrtV1EOgjAMvQvf/bDMdXoWw68X0D/i3d3YHC2DCSYmRvoYDMZrV95KAz14WFiEaWMvKeg3s6LNmAKWk4ih9jz4p/ct2tLU10emOASx2jgcw0Wyi/Y+8i1OMFFtUgAhn5QaJR6bb15J4nKPXt3rMEs0VvpiTMErAstETgsLGO+JGQd7g+MzTxxJMhMH61wu4xwyvU5kXmtEMfkycWWMtceu0RLRGEGcxhZxNOJ9PjJByqREttJ8K0fE3XTS9829gUvnW99cm6G7+a61JyDrh0Gh+Glgl7PWEWrW/sGKot27BPSdJA7KbtkViq+W7li3zcFp3Vbsqb6D03RX7KbQ51JvUX8sFVs/93+Moumr2MN3uSMCCr+ioT2ew9JL4g==]

Fixed version:

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[The Electric Shocktopus-"You Only Get One Jump-rope"-eNrtV8GSgyAM/RfPOWykhN1v2el1f6C9OfvvBWExEaSyM53paJ5UFF9CfKQZnMDDwibMGHtJQX+YHa1iClhOIobGr9k/PW/Rlta+/mWKcxC7jcM53CS7aO8j73GCiWqTAgj5otQo8dh8dSWJy714dX+nKtFY6YsxBa8ILBM5LSxgfCZmnO0NLu+8ciTJTBxsc7mMNWR6m8i8tohi8m3izhhbr92iJaIxgriOLeJixP/5wgQpkxLZSvOjHBFP08U0DfcBvq++TcPPMHc33432E8j6YVAo3hp4zVnrCDVrD7CiaM8uAb0miYOyPb+D5VVt//Vsp9tJUHSX71i7zYfT2q04U40Hp+muOE2hz6Xeon5cKnq3/G9G0fRVnGFf7oiAwudoaL8P4jlMpg==]

Alright. If you thought Annoyance was hard, try this:
Binary

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[The Electric Shocktopus-"Binary"-eNrtmrFuwjAQhl/F8tLlFGE7Tpq1r1ExRKpbUCOGEtHB6rvjWECBEuLQliTy/9lyxHFEDtx9LLakxIUpSAcOldI3oll023KUJXzoyhpBrtLH2bK4nq8pS0mE39/dPPdzqA+cPVCDD/3/trQvt+CfbPeibRFn40egfVBwF10Y1vKa0/PcTctfub+s3UVKVwrahQmAkSJ+nxBU4afdBsCdy7yz8AR1Z7hxkHsGuQOIvYf5ARi303M4HcDnfyN8AIZT+SNUDqDxYZsWwOA3G7yAwQHsPWRHA4i7t7jVDOIGkPY0vwwQna/FnX2tuybFuJXunejDkakx7CZCs7cdmBSRlexpIU6ngfo9183lMMm/gUxSVsz3xxibiNaK8tkuRJYvOMkiJf5k2FtVvrB6YZhZ1csPwyqzMRX7LNerh5pVy3fj3izrJEn41xZyoNlL]

When you make that realization (You'll know when you know), you can open this:

Spoiler

Show

Some silly stuff: When did you react to the level?
<=0000000 (0): You work with binary files and algorithms.
<=0000001 (1): You do computer stuff, but not directly with binary.
<=0000011 (3): Hey, you figured it out! Rather quick of you. You are pretty good at math and number theory, but don't necessarily program.
<=0000111 (7): You know how binary counters work, and have seen the marble implementation.
<=0001111 (15): See the pattern yet? Yep. You don't really do math.
<=0111111 (63): You are just playing TES for fun instead of the science.
>=1000000 (64): You died, the counter has restarted already.

Read the other spoiler?

Spoiler

Show

(5 columns * 2 subcolumns/column * 8 spaces/subcolumn + 3 spaces [on last subcolumn] + 3 spaces on last area) = 86 spaces.
(86 spaces * 1 cycle/space * 64 ticks/cycle * 2 seconds/tick) = 11008 seconds.
This is 3 hours 3 minutes 28 seconds. Have fun!

Now if every subcolumn has a 5% change of a mistake...

This level was tested For an imperfect definition of tested. I mean, I know all the parts work, so the level is possible!

[A Random Player]

Double post? Well, it's been almost a week already, and you don't notice edits.

Juggling

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[The Electric Shocktopus-"Juggling"-eNrtmE0OgjAQhe/Cugum06l6FsPWC+iu8e42QEMh2p9AMOj7piT8PAqU10eCU0yrGqkMhxAk0Zdog9f1lcRwjYjstMSwWYhpauP7okXJrHjYET+vvBuKoGhTt8s6Pl8+64p66e9LKip1yULEZO3hJb2KJdNRrwqjXvMg/jyrrFPgT9CJqlK75tGoa+eba25+DUMLjjEDhg+dlvmWt/Hd29hIq6x08DMogwhuASsNFLJHI3sAogfsnjwGyQMQPGDX3DlZ5A74dbtv6G+BYCtBiCBDiKCDTKTQwNq4oeIC3zC6rzGf+IyfQmXZkDlEBblC+fgpmH3d8wWQXsF3]

Extends YOGOJ. Who knew you could

Spoiler

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Juggle 3 missiles at once?
Challenge: Show it's possible with 4.

Also missile mechanisms.

Winter Wind:

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[The Electric Shocktopus-"Winter Wind"-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]

Practical application for the binary counter. Not to be confused with Chopin's Op 25 No 11 Etude, also known as Winter Wind.

[testtubegames]

Double post? Well, it's been almost a week already, and you don't notice edits.

Ha - totally acceptable. I'm excited to give these a try, I'll break some of your new stuff out for this week's FBF. (Maybe even make it through a couple.)

[NealCruco]

I was thinking about my level 4348 recently. And I realized that I could have done it better. In particular, there's a huge shortcut to the third star that I did not see until after sharing the level. For a while, I believed that there was no way to close that shortcut without a major redesign. The problem is to prevent Shocktopus from jumping onto the guns before getting to the top, without preventing the bullets from those guns from hitting him. Finally, I hit upon a solution. I present...4349, the new and improved 4348.

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[The Electric Shocktopus-"4349- Hard"-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]

Edit: After actually playing through this level more than once, I have determined that one part is ridiculously hard. I die about 80% of the time on it, and I know exactly how to beat it. If you like ridiculously hard levels, I salute you and present you with a challenge worthy of your patience. For those that don't like them (like me), I tweaked the ending to make it much easier. It's still tricky, but definitely less frustrating.

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[The Electric Shocktopus-"4349- Easy"-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]