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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: patbb on February 14, 2012, 09:46:52 am

Title: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: patbb on February 14, 2012, 09:46:52 am
Previous winners
#1 - Shinobi - Winner: Destructor, Second: fixedpigs (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=83244.0)
#2 - Jungle Hunt - Winner: CrazyKongFan, Second: DeLuSioNal29 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=83889.0)
#3 - Zoo Keeper - Winner: DeLuSioNal29, Second: Ummon (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=84546.0l)
#4 - Q*Bert - Winner: quarterstringer, Second: CrazyKongFan (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=85225.0)
#5 - Robotron 2084 - Winner: (+_+), Second: opt2not (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=85787.0)
#6 - Joust - Winner: (+_+), Second: Shoegazer (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=86303.0)
#7 - Elevator Action - Winner: FrontyDev, Second: Zebidee (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=86740.0)
#8 - Mr Do - Winner: DeLuSioNal29, Second: rotheblog (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=87233.0)
#9 - Hyper Sports - Winner: drawfull, Second: Ummon (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=87601.0)
#10 - Wonder Boy - Winner: DrFrag, Second: drawfull (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=88085.0)
#11 - Bubble Bobble - Winner: mrclean, Second: isucamper (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=88621.0)
#12 - Gun.Smoke - Winner: isucamper, Second: Ummon (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=89193.0)
#13 - Ghouls 'n Ghosts - Winner: Ginsu Victim, Second: Zebidee (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=89684.0)
#14 - Ms Pac-Man (with speedup hac) - Winner: CrazyKongFan, Second: wooowman93 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=90149.0)
#15 - Frogger - Winner: CrazyKong Fan, Second: Jasonbar (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=90774.0)
#16 - Grobda - Winner: mimic, Second: Cornchip (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=91316.0)
#17 - Bank Panic - Winner: ahofle, Second: Jasonbar (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=91747.0)
#18 - Juno First - Winner: RayB, Second: Shoegazer (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=92149.0)
#19 - Rolling Thunder - Winner: DrFrag, Second: isucamper (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=92570.0)
#20 - Terra Cresta - Winner: isucamper, Second: Jasonbar (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=92941.0)
#21 - Gladiator - Winner: Jasonbar, Second: Hewskie (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=93412.0)
#22 - Alcon (Slap Fight) - Winner: DrFrag, Second: Bender (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=93912.0)
#23 - Galaga - Winner: quarterstringer, Second: ToddH (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=94372.0)
#24 - Defender - Winner: quarterstringer, Second: tcleary (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=94846.0)
#25 - Klax - Winner: CrazyKongFan, Second: TAG (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=95282.0)
#26 - Funny Mouse - Winner: quarterstringer, Second: Epyx (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=95697.0)
#27 - Rampart - Winner: isucamper, Second: john_abey (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=96140.0)
#28 - Satan's Hollow - Winner: jasonbar, Second: ummon (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=96614.0)
#29 - The Speed Rumbler - Winner: Epyx, Second: mimic (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=97080.0)
#30 - Black Dragon - Winner: Epyx, Second: CrazyKongFan (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=97476.0)
#31 - Twin Cobra - Winner: ArcadeNerd, Second: jasonbar (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=97913.0)
#32 - Tetris - Winner: DrFrag, Second: qlunch (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=98275.0)
#33 - Gyruss - Winner: Hurray Banana, Second: vorghagen (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=98642.0)
#34 - Mappy - Winner: Jasonbar, Second: TAG (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=98956.0)
#35 - Bump 'n' Jump - Winner: Comtek, Second: DrFrag  (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=99148.0)
#36 - Popeye - Winner: CrazyKongFan, Second: isucamper  (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=99585.0)
#37 - Pengo - Winner: CrazyKongFan, Second: MazzMn  (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=100015.0)
#38 - Bomb Jack - Winner: bpark42, Second: Flaptop  (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=100393.0)
#39 - Smash T.V. - Winner: jasonbar, Second: quarterstringer (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=100858.0)
#40 - Rygar - Winner: Cakemeister, Second: jasonbar (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=101259.0)
#41 - Krull - Winner: jasonbar, Second: I/O (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=101655.0)
#42 - Tutankham - Winner: DrFrag, Second: creatine28 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=102077.0)
#43 - Astro Blaster - Winner: mimic, Second: WhereEaglesDare (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=102465.0)
#44 - Son of Phoenix - Winner: jasonbar, Second: syph007 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=102861.0;all)
#45 - Metal Slug - Winner: doteater, Second: Hewskie (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=103242.0;all)
#46 - Puzzle Bobble - Winner: quarterstringer, Second: Benevolance (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=103603.0;all)
#47 - Street Fighter 2 - The World Warrior - Winner: isucamper, Second: jordanshadow (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=103921.0;all)
#48 - Crazy Climber - Winner: jasonbar, Second: quarterstringer (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=104367)
#49 - Strider - Winner:Jasonbar, Second: Bender (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=104736.0)
#50 - Donkey Kong - Winner: wweumina, Second: javeryh (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=105183.0)
#51 - Champion Wrestler - Winner: vorghagen, Second: Bender (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=105693.0)
#52 - Karnov - Winner: DrFrag, Second: darcyp (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=106018.0)
#53 - Gauntlet - Winner: quarterstringer, Second: vorghagen (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=106364.0)
#54 - Tapper - Winner: CapriRS302, Second: quarterstringer (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=106703.0)
#55 - Namco Classic Collection Vol.2 - Winner: jasonbar, Second: CapriRS302 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=107075.0)
#56 - Gain Ground - Winner: jasonbar, Second: upprc04 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=107498.0)
#57 - Escape from the Planet of the Robot Monsters  - Winner: DirtyDachshunds, Second: upprc04 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=107792.0)
#58 - Raiden  - Winner: jasonbar, Second: Gray_Area (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=108115.0)
#59 - Buster Bros  - Winner: spoot, Second: jasonbar (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=108455.0)
#60 - Dig Dug  - Winner: quarterstringer, Second: Matthew Anderson (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=108805.0)
#61 - Mario Bros - Winner: LeapinLew, Second: Nickelstringer (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=109461.0)
#62 - Chicken Shift - Winner: quarterstringer, Second: jasonbar (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=109982.0)
#63 - Roc'n Rope - Winner: dfmaverick, Second: Nephasth (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=110290.0)
#64 - Moon Patrol - Winner: CrazyKongFan, Second: jasonbar (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=110597.0)
#65 - Nibbler - Winner: CrazyKongFan, Second: jasonbar (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=110919.0)
#66 - Truxton II - Winner: jasonbar, Second: spoot (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=111183.0)
#67 - Aliens vs Predator - Winner: Nbk_Orchid, Second: spoot (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=111590.0)
#68 - Caveman Ninja - Winner: Nbk_Orchid, Second: jasonbar (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=112059.0)
#69 - Majestic 12 - Winner: emphatic, Second: jimmy2x2x (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=112335.0)
#70 - Sky Shark - Winner emphatic, Second: jasonbar (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=112758.0;all)
#71 - Make Trax - Winner: djm858, Second: jasonbar (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=113019.0)
#72 - Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo - Winner: quarterstringer, Second: djm858 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=113348.0)
#73 - Bomber Man (Japan) - Winner: djm858, Second: AlienInferno (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=113642.0)
#74 - X-Men - Winner: djm858, Second: jasonbar (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=113972.0)
#75: MotoRace USA - Winner: 51mmz0rz, Second: jasonbar, Third: CrazyKongFan (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=114385.0)
#76: Gaplus - Winner: jasonbar, Second: Gray_Area (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=114801.0)
#77: Time Pilot '84  - Winner: jasonbar, Second: Spoot (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=115245.0)
#78: Shadow Dancer  - Winner: StriderDSO, Second: Hurray Banana (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=115528.0)
#79: Omega Race - Winner: CrazyKongFan, Second: JasonBar (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=115945.0)
#80: Amidar - Winner: jasonbar, Second: CrazyKongFan (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=116343.0)
#81: Pleiads (Pleiades) - Winner: Hurray Banana, Second: jasonbar,  (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=116675.0)
#82: Snap Jack - Winner: Kixfan, Second: jasonbar,  (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=116939.0)
#83: Mr. Do's Wildride - Winner: Draginit, Second: Bender  (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=117336.msg1243093#msg1243093)
#84: City Connection - Winner: patbb, Second: kikfan  (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=117664.0)
#85: Space Dungeon

Space Dungeon by Taito (1981)

Piloting a pie-shaped spacecraft, you must move from sector to sector collecting treasure while avoiding enemies and corner-mounted lasers. The more treasure you have with you the higher your bonus when you reach the goal. A "thief" roams the sectors collecting treasure at the same time, but shooting the thief causes him to drop all his treasure.

(http://www.arcade-museum.com/images/118/1181242170209.png)

(http://www.arcade-museum.com/images/118/1181242171.png)

(http://www.arcade-museum.com/images/107/1071615802.jpg)

KLOV:  http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=9648 (http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=9648)
WIKI:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Dungeon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Dungeon)

----------------------------------------------------

ROMSet: SDungeon

----------------------------------------------------

Ships Per Game: 3
Bonus Increment [000]: 10
Difficulty Index: 1
Cocktail Table Mode: 0

----------------------------------------------------

- One credit only!

- No continues or adding credits!

- No MAME cheats!

- Last day is Monday Feb 27th (11:59:59pm Pacific Daylight Time), 2012.
 
- High 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. (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=113948.0)

---------------
Note: This is a game I recently discover and love.  It plays with 2 joysticks, like in robotron (it actually pre-dates it). If you use a joystick with 4 buttons (ABXY) it works very well.

Best of luck!
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: draginit on February 15, 2012, 02:11:01 pm
I got a chance to try it last nite..I like these type games(2 joysticks, black widow Being one of my favorites)  took me a minute to figure out the points aren't collecting the treasure, its having it in possession after collecting whilst warping to next level..barely breaking 20k for now..
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: patbb on February 16, 2012, 10:14:03 am
There are different ways you can play this game.

1- Collect as many treasures and get to the exit.
2- Visit all the rooms and get a 10K points bonus...remember that you get a bonus life every 10k points.
3- Shoots as many enemies as you can to stack-up points.
 
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: CrazyKongFan on February 17, 2012, 09:14:59 am
Funspot/ACAM is supposed to be getting a Space Dungeon. They had a fundraiser awhile back to get some games a collector was selling (which included Space Dungeon). Don't know if it's actually there yet or not though. Will be interesting to check it out if I get there for the tournament this year.
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: patbb on February 17, 2012, 09:37:37 am
Funspot/ACAM is supposed to be getting a Space Dungeon. They had a fundraiser awhile back to get some games a collector was selling (which included Space Dungeon). Don't know if it's actually there yet or not though. Will be interesting to check it out if I get there for the tournament this year.

Nice, the fundraiser was successful.
http://www.classicarcademuseum.org/ (http://www.classicarcademuseum.org/)

So, this is a good time to practice ... it might be included in the tourney!
Even if it's not, I'll play for sure and Black Widow,

See you there!
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: jasonbar on February 17, 2012, 11:53:55 am
AWESOME game selection! I love it! Really has the feel of an old Apple ][ game.

23,140 after a few games. The darn walls flash in such a sinister fashion that I thought I'd die by touching them for my first couple of games. Duh. They're safe. Duh.

Not only does this have Robotron controls, but it sure sounds/feels/looks like Williams hardware, even though it's by Taito. Am I alone on this?

Awesome game--going to play this a bunch!

Thanks,
-Jason
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: Hurray Banana on February 17, 2012, 05:20:07 pm
Not only does this have Robotron controls, but it sure sounds/feels/looks like Williams hardware, even though it's by Taito. Am I alone on this?

The font looks very robotron
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: patbb on February 17, 2012, 05:32:30 pm
Not only does this have Robotron controls, but it sure sounds/feels/looks like Williams hardware, even though it's by Taito. Am I alone on this?

The font looks very robotron

... It was release before Robotron !!
I'm sure I read somewhere the Eugene Jarvis invented the dual joystick ...
From wikipedia:

The dual joystick control design resulted from two experiences in Jarvis's life: an automobile accident and playing Berzerk. Prior to beginning development, Jarvis injured his right hand in an accident—his hand was still in a cast when he returned to work, which prevented him from using a traditional joystick with a button. While in rehabilitation, he thought of Berzerk.[7][9] Though Jarvis enjoyed the game and similar titles, he was dissatisfied with the control scheme; Berzerk used a single joystick to move the on-screen character and a button to fire the weapon, which would shoot the same direction the character was facing.[7][10] Jarvis noticed that if the button was held down, the character would remain stationary and the joystick could be used to fire in any direction.[4][10] This method of play inspired Jarvis to add a second joystick dedicated to aiming the direction projectiles were shot.[10] Jarvis and DeMar created a prototype using a Stargate system board and two Atari 2600 controllers attached to a control panel.[4][7] In retrospect, Jarvis considers the design a contradiction that blends "incredible freedom of movement" with ease of use.[5]

Black widow (Atari) was also release in 1982, same year than Robotron.

So we have 3 companies that have release a game with the same type of joystick almost at the same time.

Was the dual joystick game invented by Javis? I'm not sure anymore.




Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: Gray_Area on February 17, 2012, 07:19:52 pm
Gotta love a game that shows you what you lost, piece by piece, before saying game over.

I used to like this, but have since long ago moved it to my 'mentionable' folder. Still, I'll give it a good go.
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: Gray_Area on February 17, 2012, 10:21:37 pm
Well, I've been in a right mind...sometimes a wrong mind...about the difficulty in this game. There are nuggets of different kinds, and 'square' strategy plays a huge part....but I must say, the perhaps most surprising similarity, is that SWOOOP TOGETHER deal you find in Robotron! It's a little bit maddening, but for some subtle difference in how it controls, a sort of proto-Robo, that doesn't seem to take itself seriously as a game, but more as a which hunt. And they're not even pissed, they're so bad.

A bleak land, but shiny horizon for the fearless cosmic treasure hunter. Will you seduce this glory?


I added the 'challenge' bit, because ultimately that's what Space Dungeon is missing: the 'human' association that makes the game the most personal.


But still. I am finding it a tough, and kind of addicting game. I'm about 19k, though there was a 15k game before that (note image) where I lost.....thirteen pieces. Getting them home wouldve more than doubled my score (although it was also my largest grid coverage.) I was a little blown off.

More some, later.
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: draginit on February 18, 2012, 12:21:56 am
after reading the nicely illustrated post above me ive decided to go ahead and kick it off with my current score of 58120

for the first level i just go until i find 3 blue gems..by the time you find three you will have enough of the reds to go with it to get a free guy in the warp. i have on a few occassions gotten 2 extra lives warping from the 1st level doing this...i dont think clearing the board is worth it for the difficulty it entails.  
also..the corners on the map are death traps!!  and whats with the magically appearing bug thing that chases you from screens to instant death! ugh!!

Quote
.thirteen pieces. Getting them home wouldve more than doubled my score
oh if you only knew how many times this has happened to me on level 3 and up...easily 20k lost or more with the 8k pieces..

im not done yet,,i seem to be getting better after a few beers..heh
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: Hurray Banana on February 18, 2012, 09:38:44 am
Not only does this have Robotron controls, but it sure sounds/feels/looks like Williams hardware, even though it's by Taito. Am I alone on this?

The font looks very robotron

... It was release before Robotron !!
I'm sure I read somewhere the Eugene Jarvis invented the dual joystick ...
From wikipedia:

The dual joystick control design resulted from two experiences in Jarvis's life: an automobile accident and playing Berzerk. Prior to beginning development, Jarvis injured his right hand in an accident—his hand was still in a cast when he returned to work, which prevented him from using a traditional joystick with a button. While in rehabilitation, he thought of Berzerk.[7][9] Though Jarvis enjoyed the game and similar titles, he was dissatisfied with the control scheme; Berzerk used a single joystick to move the on-screen character and a button to fire the weapon, which would shoot the same direction the character was facing.[7][10] Jarvis noticed that if the button was held down, the character would remain stationary and the joystick could be used to fire in any direction.[4][10] This method of play inspired Jarvis to add a second joystick dedicated to aiming the direction projectiles were shot.[10] Jarvis and DeMar created a prototype using a Stargate system board and two Atari 2600 controllers attached to a control panel.[4][7] In retrospect, Jarvis considers the design a contradiction that blends "incredible freedom of movement" with ease of use.[5]

Black widow (Atari) was also release in 1982, same year than Robotron.

So we have 3 companies that have release a game with the same type of joystick almost at the same time.

Was the dual joystick game invented by Javis? I'm not sure anymore.


Here's an article from Gamasutra about Robotron2084, which as several indirect references to Space Dungeon (images) with no direct reference in the article?

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/4099/the_history_of_robotron_2084__.php?print=1 (http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/4099/the_history_of_robotron_2084__.php?print=1)
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: StriderDSO on February 18, 2012, 10:37:10 am
I'm finding this game both utterly infuriating as well as a lot of fun! I'm glad someone suggested this for the competition as I probably wouldn't have stumbled upon it for quite some time. Only managed to get about 29k so far though :(
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: patbb on February 18, 2012, 07:41:24 pm
36,575

Thanks for the link Hurray Banana.

Nice score draginit ... I think I'll try your Beer technic :)
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: kixfan on February 20, 2012, 07:41:01 am
Here is my score so far: 43175

My control panel only has 1 joystick so I've been using my micro-keyboard laying on top of cp for shooting.   This means diagonal shooting is pretty tough especially when the game decides to go ballistic!   Does anyone know if there is a bonus for getting all the pieces in a level?
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: patbb on February 20, 2012, 08:54:10 am
Here is my score so far: 43175

My control panel only has 1 joystick so I've been using my micro-keyboard laying on top of cp for shooting.   This means diagonal shooting is pretty tough especially when the game decides to go ballistic!   Does anyone know if there is a bonus for getting all the pieces in a level?

I don't think there is a bonus for getting all the pieces.
But there is a 10k point bonus for visiting all the rooms.
In my 36k points game, I've got 28k after completing the 1st level including the 10k bonus.
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: jasonbar on February 20, 2012, 01:57:34 pm
My best thus far is 34k & change.

Wow, this game is MEAN!

But I still LOVE it!

Boy, the bad guys just start ganging up on you so fast. I can hardly do anything more than just run to the exit. I can't imagine visiting every room or getting every treasure.

So many cheap shots like the corner zappers that kill you dead with no warning, the guys that practically appear right on top of you when you enter a room, & the bullets that look too much like explosion debris.

Oy!

But I still love it!

I didn't know I was so masochistic!


-Jason
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: doteater on February 20, 2012, 03:27:19 pm
It took me a few times to warm up and get into the game. After a week of playing here's my best score. This game gets intense real fast. I hate losing all my loot!
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: draginit on February 20, 2012, 11:40:13 pm
dayum,,if your pulling off that score by level 2 you should have crushed my score...i cant find the points until after level 3..  ima try and point mong the early levels and see if i cant double up! hehe
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: Gray_Area on February 21, 2012, 01:01:51 am
dayum,,if your pulling off that score by level 2 you should have crushed my score...i cant find the points until after level 3..  ima try and point mong the early levels and see if i cant double up! hehe

I think that one was a fluke, because the other below it were after many more levels. Or maybe he's gotten that good?? Aiy.

The thing that keeps getting me is I escape to another room, and it puts beasties in my way! Either my ninja skills suck - or it's cheating me. Maybe both.

I'm done with this game. Fun to hardness quotient is severely slanted up.
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: (+_+) on February 21, 2012, 09:36:49 am
I feel like the game cheats too.  ;) It is very unforgiving when it comes to squeezing between enemies. Unlike Robotron where you can get away with almost pixel perfect squeezes. What about the way you die without seeing what killed you. It's happened a few times, especially when the screen slows down to a crawl when too many enemies on on the screen. It is fun though and frustrating too.

Here's my score.

Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: draginit on February 21, 2012, 01:43:09 pm
Oh ya its on!!  Heh. As much as I'm frustrated with the game I can't settle for 2nd place  >:D
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: CrazyKongFan on February 21, 2012, 02:54:09 pm
It's not the same type of game (shooter), but Crazy Climber had dual joysticks and came out in 1980. Bandido also had dual joysticks and came out in 1979. Left is for moving, right is for aiming, and it had a separate button for firing.
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: patbb on February 21, 2012, 04:53:37 pm
Cops 'n robbers also have 2 joysticks. 4 joystick for two players.
One for moving you car up and down and the other to aim, and I think a fire button on top of the joystick that aim.

Fun game BTW ... for a 1976 release.

Edit:  I might be mistaking here.   It might be that you can use either the right or left joystick.
On KLOV it mention 1 joystick 8 direction.  So it's probably one or the other joystick to aim and fire and the pedal to move the car up and down.

(http://www.arcade-museum.com/images/118/1181242070243.jpg)
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: paigeoliver on February 21, 2012, 05:26:25 pm
Cops N Robbers isn't dualjoy it is 4 player's each with one joystick.
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: doteater on February 21, 2012, 06:57:44 pm
New score for me.
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: paigeoliver on February 21, 2012, 08:42:35 pm
This game is absolutely destroying me. My Robotron skills do not seem to be transferring very well. I am barely breaking 10,000 points.
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: draginit on February 22, 2012, 12:09:55 am
 >:D
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: patbb on February 22, 2012, 09:01:11 am
This is the participation so far.

doteater     64,160
(+_+)         61,870
draginit       58,120
kixfan         43,175
Patbb         36,555
Jasonbar     34,xxx
striderDSO   29,xxx
paigeOliver   10,xxx

Less than a week to go.
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: patbb on February 22, 2012, 09:05:58 am
Cops N Robbers isn't dualjoy it is 4 player's each with one joystick.

I see, thanks.
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: (+_+) on February 22, 2012, 09:35:33 am
Nice Job doteater!

Curious to know. I only made it to dungeon 2 when I got my ~ 62K. Do you start to get more points
for later dungeons. I am very greedy and try to enter every room and pick up every treasure. I pay
dearly for it sometimes.

PS. Boy do I hate when I die and the bullet has not even touched me yet.  ???

Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: doteater on February 22, 2012, 10:02:07 am
I've tried a couple different ways, how I got my hi-score was by getting all the loot and fully exploring the first level. Keep going that route and try to survive after that. Usually I let the thief do his thing, chase him down and steal His loot then head to the exit.

What I've noticed so far is only the deathsquares won't follow to another screen. The pikes are slow and will eventually come into the next screen but I don't worry about them. I find the most dangerous are the enforcers. If you exit a screen without killing them they will automatically be on the next screen moving towards you. I always kill them before exiting. The executioners will chase but you can always backpaddle and shoot as they will line up single file.

I also kill all the corner zappers before I exit a screen. If you kill 1 2 or 3/4 they will reappear if you go back. Kill them all and they won't respawn. slow and steady one screen at a time. Backtrack to only "cleared" screens, it's safer that way.

Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: draginit on February 22, 2012, 01:46:28 pm
Nicely done doteater,  Thas gonna be a tuff one to beat.  .
last nite I scored 67xxx... Ironically I had switched my strategy to almost exactly how you put it..clearing the first level with all gems will average out to 40-45k before level 2....now if I could only pull that off without dying before the warp heh....
Plenty of time left tho..ill post my current high afta work.
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: paigeoliver on February 22, 2012, 06:50:53 pm
Finally stopped trying to clear the first level completely (never once succeeded). Doing much better now.
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: jasonbar on February 23, 2012, 01:04:37 am
Wow, Space Dungeon claims another hour of my life. I'm getting better, but only marginally. This session's best score was 39,540. But, in a previous session, I his 41,985.

This eve, I did manage to hit all 36 rooms twice...and died on that last room...way up in the top corner...far away from the exit...

The second time that I achieved this, I even had all the treasures in my possession.

What a tease!

I'm employing some of the tips in this thread & running less and calming down a bit. I'd already discovered that you can permanently remove the corner zappers by shooting all 4. Great idea. Get up against the wall, shoot 2, go in the corner, shoot the 3rd, then shoot the 4th diagonally. Really quick!

As for that pesky Executioner, it appears that, if you leave him on-screen when you go through a door, he will appear in that next room at the exact same (x,y) coordinates where you left him. This is good if he's right next to you. This is bad if he was far away from you, because now he'll be right up in your grill.


Love/hate it!

-Jason
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: paigeoliver on February 23, 2012, 11:47:41 am
My scores got significantly better when I played a half dozen experimental games where I ignored the treasure entirely.

Most of my games had been going down this way, I manage to collect 2/3rds of the treasure on the map, then something kills me, then I lose all the rest of my men trying to recover the treasure out of that room.
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: Cynicaster on February 24, 2012, 12:35:47 pm
Played this game recently in an AtariAge competition and it just might be the most ridiculously frustrating game I've ever played on MAME.  I vowed to never subject myself to it again.   :banghead:
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: patbb on February 24, 2012, 04:39:14 pm
Played this game recently in an AtariAge competition and it just might be the most ridiculously frustrating game I've ever played on MAME.  I vowed to never subject myself to it again.   :banghead:

And you won with a score of 53K

Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: paigeoliver on February 24, 2012, 09:29:32 pm
Ok, since I put my cabinet back together I have played several hundred games of space dungeon. I am still only averaging maybe 40K, but I have had a few lucky rounds that have gone way better.

My strategy now is to visit every room and shoot bad guys. I ignore the treasure and the thief entirely.
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: Gray_Area on February 26, 2012, 01:59:04 am
Jesus Mary, paige.

You know if smiley is hatin it, the game is hard. Actually, it's not that you don't get hit by the bullet. It's that it's so fast.

For some reason, I went back to this. Tried a variety of techniques. I got better, but not stellar.
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: jasonbar on February 26, 2012, 12:43:33 pm
Does anybody else get crashes & glitches? I've seen the following on 115u2 (and MAWS is down, so I can't see if there have been updates since that rev):

1 - Corner zapper zaps even after its neighbor has been shot. Saw this only once.

2 - Game froze & displayed solid-colored flashing screens until I quit. Saw this only once.

3 - Game froze with gameplay image on screen. Of course, I had a great game--24k or so & no deaths. Saw this only once.

4 - Game doesn't redraw/refresh properly. Pieces of enemy left on screen or garbled treasure and once I even saw the exit rectangle get stuck on the screen. These graphics stay on-screen even when you change rooms--they'll wipe away if some other graphics pass over them. I see this behavior pretty frequently.

Thanks,
-Jason

PS--I was just about to call it quits on this game, & then I finally had a good run (well, a good run for me...puts me in only 4th place...tough crowd!), so maybe I'll play a tad more. I managed to see all rooms & get most treasures on level 1. 66,660
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: paigeoliver on February 26, 2012, 01:38:48 pm
I have seen the leftover enemy bits quite a lot, that might be something that the original hardware did. Never seen the zap error or a frozen game.

I am running it under Mame .70.
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: Gray_Area on February 26, 2012, 02:39:52 pm
Older MAME has weird bit artifacts appear at times, and they remain from room to room. As well, I've had major slow-downs, and what appear to be syncing glitches. Current MAME is much better. Regardless....

I am hereby decreeing this game un-worthy of remembrance, and removing it from my system.
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: (+_+) on February 27, 2012, 11:35:19 am
Paige. 141K. I can't believe it's not butter. How in the name of pasta fazool did you do that.  :notworthy:

I just got 75K the other day and thought I'd post it on the last day and put the pressure on.
Geez, way to take the wind out of someone's sails.  :)

Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: paigeoliver on February 27, 2012, 11:39:19 am
I made it through all the screens on the first 3 levels.

My next best is only 99K.

Apparently it is possible to marathon this game, Twin galaxies has a 13 million score and a 4 million score. The points sure come faster the longer you play.
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: patbb on February 27, 2012, 12:01:59 pm
52,950

Thanks to everybody who participated and shared some very useful tips.
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: paigeoliver on February 27, 2012, 12:10:19 pm
Do I pick the next contest if nobody beats me by midnight?
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: patbb on February 27, 2012, 01:28:34 pm
Do I pick the next contest if nobody beats me by midnight?

yes
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: patbb on February 27, 2012, 02:35:57 pm
This is the participation so far.

PaigeOliver   141,365
doteater      83,480
(+_+)         75,xxx
draginit       67,445
Jasonbar     66,660
Patbb         52,950
kixfan         43,175
striderDSO   29,xxx


12 hours to go.
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: paigeoliver on February 27, 2012, 10:17:16 pm
A few hours left, but if I win then the next game will be Up N Down.

Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: jasonbar on February 28, 2012, 12:54:14 am
Moved up a little in the ranks. 74,195.

Got all treasures & saw all rooms on level 1.

Got 45k on my first guy. And got worse & worse after that.

Next!

-Jason
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: kixfan on February 28, 2012, 02:04:37 am
Could only muster a slightly better personal score of 58480.    For me, this game goes into the same category as Sinistar, enjoy playing but is just absolutely frustrating!    I did notice a bit of a cheat, if you call it that.   If you kill everything within a room or 2 of where you are then put yourself in front of one of the small doorways, the game can't put any other bad guys in the room except for the enforcer.   I was able to do this for about 5 minutes but at 250 a pop for an enforcer this would take forever.
Title: Re: High Score Competition #85 Space Dungeon
Post by: paigeoliver on February 28, 2012, 10:09:16 am
Now that it is all over I will share my tips.

The difficulty of the game seems to ramp up the longer you stay on a dungeon level, but I am truly not sure if it is based on time or rooms visited. It can't be based on treasure because it still ramps up even if you don't collect any.

There are 3 ways to earn points. Collecting treasure, shooting bad guys and a completion bonus for visiting each room

The treasure is a trap. More likely to get you killed than anything else. Collecting treasure takes time, taking more time causes more bad guys to spawn, which makes it harder to make it to the exit. If you drop a bunch of treasure in a room (particularly one past the first level), that room will likely end up with a bunch of bad guys in it (particularly those that track your movement), and you will drain most or all of your lives trying to recover the treasure.

On the first level I don't pick up any treasure on my first life at all. I see no point in doing so, out of 300 games I played I never once cleared the first level without dying. I begin collecting treasure on my second life. I don't revisit rooms I have already been to, I just get the ones that I see. I often complete the first level on my second life, so any treasure I grab there is a bonus.

The thief comes out beginning with level 2, at that point I pretty much stop dealing with treasure altogether, as there is absolutely no way I am going to manage to clear all the rooms on one life, and the thief will have picked most of it up anyway. Shooting the thief when he has a significant amount of treasure is likely to end up with you dying in a fraction of a second (because a bunch of enemies will spawn when he drops his load), even if you don't immediately die the room with the treasure pile will be massively dangerous and more likely to drain away your precious lives than to give you anything that you will actually make it to the exit with.

So with treasure basically eliminated as a scoring mechanism that leaves shooting enemies (which everyone should do) and visiting all the rooms. I visit all the rooms. That gives a 10,000 point bonus multiplied by the dungeon level you are on (not sure how high the max bonus is, there may not be a max bonus, which would explain the twin galaxies high score). Collecting treasure is something you pretty much have to start over on each life, but visited rooms stay visited, thus that bonus can be worked at over a period of more than one life.

I don't always eliminate the corner shooters, particularly those located on the first dungeon level in rooms that I won't be revisiting (those on the outer edge).

Outer edge rooms, particularly corner rooms, are more dangerous as your escape options are limited. I try to visit them first before the dungeon level really starts harassing me.

Now on to the next game. Up 'n Down

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=118400.0 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=118400.0)