High Score Competition #124 Lode Runner

[epetti]

Previous winners:

#001 thru #099 - For list of winners for those competitions  please refer to this link
#100: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom: Winner - Gray_Area, Second - Tafoid
#101: Marvin's Maze: Winner - Kixfan, Second - Hammerfist
#102: Rally-X:  Winner - Tafoid, Second  djm858
#103: Lock 'N Chase:  Winner - Kixfan, Second - Jasonbar
#104: Space Fury: Winner - Gray_Area, Second - kixfan
#105: Pig Out: Winner - Kixfan, Second - Gray_Area
#106: Carnival: Winner - rick6668, Second - Kixfan
#107: Rastan: Winner - popsicle, Second - rick6668
#108: Peguin-Kun Wars Winner-dancawar, Second - Popsicle
#109: Blood Bros.* Winner - harveybirdman, Second - Jasonbar *scores reflect use of game features considered cheats
#110: Rabbit Punch: Winner - jasonbar, Second - mimic
#111: Alien Syndrome: Winner - mimic, Second Comtek
#112: Block Hole: Winner - Comtek, Second - idsane
#113: Pepper II: Winner - Comtek, Second - Kixfan
#114: Break Thru: Winner - jasonbar, Second - mimic
#115: Ninja Baseball Bat Man: Winner - mimic, Second - Tafoid
#116: Shao-lin's Road: Winner - mimic, Second - Kixfan
#117: Scramble: Winner - Kixfan, Second - jasonbar
#118: Lost Tomb: Winner: Jasonbar, Second: mimic
#119: Green Beret: Winner: LeapinLew, Second: popsicle
#120: Lady Killer: Winner: Comtek Second: Mimic
#121: Qix: Winner: Comtek Second: sorhp
#122: Halley's Comet: Winner: Jasonbar Second: Mimic
#123: Cyber-Lip: Winner: Jasonbar Second: epetti

Competition #124:Lode Runner


[Apologies to those who swear by the original Apple version.  I grew up on that but I think the arcade version still captures the fun of the game.]


High Score Competition #124 Lode Runner
http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=8441
ROM name: ldrun
default dip switch settings
Last day: Thursday, September 26, 2013, midnight Pacific Time.

Lode Runner




Description:
The object of the game is to collect all gold pieces from a maze of tunnels, ladders, ropes, and rooms. Pursuing you is a number of monsters. The player navigates the maze with the joystick, climbing ladders, hanging from ropes, jumping off cliffs, or creating new tunnels with the blaster. Once all gold pieces are collected, an escape ladder appears. When the player gets to the top of it, he will move on to the next level -- a different maze. There are three levels per block. Each block has a different kind of monster.
There is also a timer for each level. If time expires before reaching the top of the escape ladder, the player dies. When the player loses a life, that level must be repeated from the start. When the level is finished, the remaining time is added to the score. If the level is finished in less than half of the allotted time, 2x of the remainder is awarded.

If a monster touches the player, he dies. The player has three lives with a one-time bonus life earned at 50000. The monsters can be delayed by blasting a hole in front of them. They fall in and are delayed by a few seconds. If a blasted hole fills in while the player or monster is in it, they will die. The monsters are recreated at the top of the screen so there is always the same number.

Monsters can carry gold. When they are carrying a gold piece, they will flash. They will randomly drop them. They will always drop them when they fall in a hole.

If a level is finished without entrapping a monster in a hole, the player will earn 20000 points. If monsters are entrapped but none are killed, 10000 points are awarded. Also, if all monsters are sealed into a room or pit permanently, 10000 points are earned.

A neat Easter egg: there is a hidden monster from the next block on every level where digging is allowed some levels have only stone, thus, the blaster cannot make holes. The monster can be uncovered by blasting the dirt that it is hiding in. Once it is uncovered, it will join in pursuing the player. If it is entrapped, it will leave behind a bonus of 3000 to 8000 points. Its entrapment will not count against the 20000 entrapment bonus.



General Rules:
- One Credit, No Continues.
- Highest score wins.
- No savestates, savestate practices, etc. during the round.
- MAME INP recordings are encouraged but optional.
- A screenshot is required to enter a score (press F12 to save screenshot showing your final score) or take a photo of the game screen.
- If you're a MARP competitor on this title, keep in mind this is just a friendly competition among forum members, so maybe you shouldn't enter. However, if you're a forum member and this is a game you're good at and nobody knows about it, this is your time to shine!
- Even if you don't have a competitive score or if you don't *think* that you have a competitive score, please post it anyway to keep the thread fun & to give everybody a good sense of score ranges.
- Please make sure your scores are from games that take place during the competition period (no posting your best score from last year, etc.).
- Use of autofire or other non-standard hacks within MAME or your PC's OS are not allowed.  No program or other person or entity of any sort may manipulate your controls during your game.  Coaching & back-seat driving is fine as long as the party doesn't directly influence the game or controls.
- If you can beat any of the high scores from the previous competitions, you can submit your score to the BYOAC High Game Scoreboard.

[mimic]

I'm game. I've always liked this game. This is one game that probably didn't need such a thorough description. Hasn't it been ported to almost all systems?

[epetti]

I'm game. I've always liked this game. This is one game that probably didn't need such a thorough description. Hasn't it been ported to almost all systems?

Just copied the description from KLOV. I think some of the bonus points may be unique to the arcade version. Also, having a time limit was not in the original.

[mimic]

44,180 after 3 games.

"Also, if all monsters are sealed into a room or pit permanently, 10000 points are earned". <- I'm not sure if I understand this line. I think it means if every monster on a level is buried at least once you get that bonus?

[epetti]

44,180 after 3 games.

"Also, if all monsters are sealed into a room or pit permanently, 10000 points are earned". <- I'm not sure if I understand this line. I think it means if every monster on a level is buried at least once you get that bonus?

No. Some levels have rooms surrounded by brick on all sides. If you drop them into that through a hole then when the hole seals up they're trapped in that room and can never get out.

[JDFan]

Like on this screen below where it is outlined in green and the one is trapped -- if you get all og them to follow you accross the rope and drop they can all be trapped there for the bonus -- thing to remember is the time runs out quick if trying to trap them all and don't trap one with the others when he's carrying a gold  !!

Got 70,200 after a couple tries

[JDFan]

Played a few more times today and improved a bit (113,290 ) : Now just need to get the Hi score table to save (had it working with 0.139 but haven't had a chance to fix it yet with 0.149 - time to try and remember how to compile it properly !

[UFO]

Played a few more times today and improved a bit (113,290 ) : Now just need to get the Hi score table to save (had it working with 0.139 but haven't had a chance to fix it yet with 0.149 - time to try and remember how to compile it properly !

 

[epetti]

Played a few more times today and improved a bit (113,290 ) : Now just need to get the Hi score table to save (had it working with 0.139 but haven't had a chance to fix it yet with 0.149 - time to try and remember how to compile it properly !

I've never gotten a hi score version of MAME.  I just always have auto save state on and rely on that to save my high scores next time I start...  Nice score.  Haven't gotten a chance to take a shot at it yet.

[jasonbar]

83,540 after several games. I played the heck out of LR on the A8. I'm not used to having 2 buttons! :]

-Jason

[kixfan]

Well, I've been playing since the start but just started to get the hang of this one.   I remember the game but never played it much as a kid.   VERY good selection!

120,700

[JDFan]

Couldn't let myself drop to second place so had to play a few more times - New High score 138,150 -- Also went ahead and recorded the gameplay this time (placed on my dropbox account if anyone wants to download and watch  ( Note : It's 16 minutes long and dropbox will only stream about 15 minutes so to watch the full length you will need to download the 20MB +\- file but it may provide some help) - ( ) Figure it shows a couple of the ways to get the bonuses in the earlier levels that may help some others (Still haven't figured out getting those deeply buried ones in level 8 while keeping the enemies from falling into the dig since there isn't many lives left by the time you reach that level usually  . Hope to see a few more people get involved and start posting some higher scores before the end. Very fun game to play !!

[epetti]

90,760.  I feel like I can get a bit higher, but stupid mistakes get in the way.  One lucky game I managed to get through the first two levels with no entrapping.  Makes a huge difference in your score.  I then promptly died on Level 3.

[kixfan]

Just enough to take 1st back.    This was the first time reaching level 9.   I almost had it so if I get another good run I think I can reach 10.   In this game I had an ok start, 58k thru the first 3.   On a good run I've hit 69k.   While I have certain patterns I try to follow this game makes them difficult at times.  You never know if the enemy is going to die and randomly appear some where else (like on top of you).

[JDFan]

Nice score KIX  -- Looks like I'll have to load up the game again tonight ! (Managed 140,700 the other day just after posting the 138,150 but figured it wasn't worth posting as anyone that beat the 138K would probably beat it as well !)

Yeah I keep messing up on level 8 trying to get those deeply buried gold -- Made it past after using a continue to start at that level but haven't been able to after playing from level 1 but then level 9 is not an easy one either ! And I agree the game does seem to kill them off randomly just to spawn them right where you are heading at times - or they pop out of a trap a few seconds earlier than usual as you get near.

Think we both need to watch out for Epetti to come in and knock us both down with a last minute high score !

[JDFan]

OK Kix your turn again --- 154,760 is the new target for you ! (managed an extra 20,000 bonus on level 7 !! )

[epetti]

159,930.  Made a stupid mistake on Level 9 or it could've been a bit higher I think.  Should've saved that game for the last day. 

[jasonbar]

92,360...not that it matters or anything...   

[JDFan]

159,930.  Made a stupid mistake on Level 9 or it could've been a bit higher I think.  Should've saved that game for the last day. 

Nice one -- I had a feeling you'd be back with a high score soon !! 

@jason 92,360 is pretty good also -- a few more practice games and a bit of work on getting more of the bonuses and you'll be right in the hunt !

Looks like there'll be a few more games played tonight 

[epetti]

92,360...not that it matters or anything...   

Jason, right idea.  92,000 at Level 6 is way better than 83,000 at Level 8.  It's all about the bonuses, including the double time bonus, especially at early levels.

Another strategy tip: learn and manipulate the enemy AI to get them to go where you want them to go.  In some ways it's just as much about controlling them -- getting them stuck in areas they can't figure out how to get out of (even if technically they could), or getting them to go the exact route you want to follow you.

[kixfan]

Well here is the next score to beat!   177,100.

The first 8 levels I think I have just about all I can get.   This time around I did get an extra bonus for trapping(else my score would have been 167k).   I usually don't bother but I some how got 3 and figured I go for it.   Usually if I try to trap I waste too much time and loose my 2x score.   

[kixfan]

Helpful tip:   If you screw up and trap an enemy with gold, you might as well get as many points as you can.   If you hang on one of the rails and land on enemy you get 1k, if you run across 3 buried you get 3k.   I know I gave up a couple of times and then smacked myself for not at least getting points.

[Comtek]

Every time I get a little close to the current high score someone ups it a little more.
right now i'm hitting around 130,000
I can hit 80,000 after level 3 but screw up a lot after that

[JDFan]

Every time I get a little close to the current high score someone ups it a little more.
right now i'm hitting around 130,000
I can hit 80,000 after level 3 but screw up a lot after that

Still plenty of time to get caught up -- That's a good score for the 3rd level so just keep building on it and you should make it.

[JDFan]

Took awhile this time but here is the new target -- 182,790

[kixfan]

Well, I finally got past 9 by the skin of my teeth.   10 was fairly easy and 11 is doable but I made a silly mistake.

206,300

Keep at it JDFan!!!

[epetti]

Nice and nice!  I inched my score up to 162,120.  So close to getting off of Level 9!  I had all the gold but just couldn't quite get to the exit.  Not sure I'm going to have enough time free tomorrow to pass you guys.  Bravo.

[epicfatigue]

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH man i have to get my control panel back in so i can have a go.

How do we find out when these start? and how often are they on?

[JDFan]

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH man i have to get my control panel back in so i can have a go.

How do we find out when these start? and how often are they on?

From what I've seen they pretty much are always running -  each time one finishes IIRC the winner chooses the next game and the new competition starts.  -- Also no control panel necessary as you could just load MAME onto your PC and use the keyboard to control the game ! (though sometimes the score is a bit harder that way depending on the game !)

Well, I finally got past 9 by the skin of my teeth.   10 was fairly easy and 11 is doable but I made a silly mistake.

206,300

Keep at it JDFan!!!

  Man I didn't think you'd get there that fast -- I have one last night at @199K but haven't gotten past that 200K mark yet - Guess I need to load up the game again before Thursday  - Level 10 is easy as long as you don't get caught off guard by the first guy (EDIT : That was actually lvl 9) - number 11 isn't too tough if you figure out how to drop to get the golds by clearing a few blocks. (as shown in the Pic I missed one on my run and it cost me !) Looks like this may come down to the wire - Good luck !!

[JDFan]

OK got a new one for you Kix -- 244,240 

Finally put together a decent start without making stupid mistakes on the early levels and got to level 12 and almost finished it but needed a gold one of the enemies was carrying and there is not much room to maneuver in there - Just hope I didn't post this one too early and give you a chance to get me again !! (or will epetti or someone else swoop in last minute to beat us, as I'm not sure I can get much higher !! 

[mimic]

Here is my best try, good for the last place

[kixfan]

Nice Score JDFan!   I'm done.

Just in case...

237,630

[jasonbar]

"Jasonbar, what is good in life?"

"To crush mimic. To see him driven before you. And to hear the lamentation of his women...because it makes me feel better after being trounced by 3 or 4 other guys..."

113,130. Man, how do you beat round 9? Kill a couple of guys & then they all keep respawning & keep you forever trapped in the bottom left. Ugh.

-Jason

[epetti]

The results are in.  Good round!

1. 244,240: JDFan
2. 237,630: kixfan
3. 162,120: epetti
4. 113,130: jasonbar
5.   82,300: mimic

Comtek may have gotten around 130,000 but never posted.

JDFan, you've got the next pick.

[JDFan]

Cool -- I really thought someone would come in last night and nudge past - was a very good competition 
I'll take a look through some games today (seems every time I think I've got one I look and it is already in the list or requires a special type controller (ie. spinner\trackball\etc.) and I don't want to go with those as it limits the competitors !! - I've got a couple I'm considering but haven't made a final decision yet so -- If anyone has any suggestions feel free to post them here by this evening -- I'll figure something out tonight and will post by tomorrow morning.

What is the normal run time ? (I'll check the earlier threads if noone posts)

Hope to see you all compete in the next round and hopefully we can get more members involved !!

[jasonbar]

What is the normal run time ? (I'll check the earlier threads if noone posts)

2 weeks long, ending at midnight Pacific time.

-Jason

[mimic]

"Jasonbar, what is good in life?"

"To crush mimic. To see him driven before you. And to hear the lamentation of his women...because it makes me feel better after being trounced by 3 or 4 other guys..."
-Jason

oh, hohoho It's on sonny-boy! I've got a case of "ugly" for you (I don't know what it is yet, but I definitely got it!)

[jasonbar]

Oh yeah, well I eat cases of ugly for breakfast!

(yum)

"Jasonbar, what is good in life?"

"To crush mimic. To see him driven before you. And to hear the lamentation of his women...because it makes me feel better after being trounced by 3 or 4 other guys..."
-Jason

oh, hohoho It's on sonny-boy! I've got a case of "ugly" for you (I don't know what it is yet, but I definitely got it!)

[JDFan]

New Competition thread started -- can be found HERE ( http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,134788.0.html )

Decided to go with one I hadn't played in a long time that is not real complex but is fun (since all the other choices I could think of had already been used  ) -- Hope to see everyone give it a try and hope you all enjoy the game ! (hopefully it won't turn into another jasonbar pick  )

[kixfan]

113,130. Man, how do you beat round 9? Kill a couple of guys & then they all keep respawning & keep you forever trapped in the bottom left. Ugh.

-Jason

I know this is too late to help (I was stuck at work for 26 hours).   The tricks I found:

1. Keep the enemy is groups of 2, if you end up with 3 or more on one side bad things happen.

2. Keep from burying to many bad guys cause they could respawn and mess up tip 1

3. Once on top try your best to clear the right side first, not sure why but that seems to help.