games requiring fast button pushing

ritcher1 · Post by **ritcher1** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 2:39 am

With games like Main Event that require you to press button very fast, I seem to have problems. Is there some DOS window setting or a setting in mame to help with this?

Post by **mahlemiut** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 3:30 am

I could suggest that you use a controller with autofire, or the autofire options in MAME Plus or X-MAME, but that would be cheating (at least as far MARP is concerned, it is, and we can tell if you use it too).

Besides, no one uses the DOS version of MAME, unless they're still stuck with DOS or Win9x/Me. It hasn't been updated since 0.100, either. Even if you are using Win9x, you probably ought to use the Windows version (if it even works these days).

Otherwise, more information about your problem would be helpful.

LN2 · Post by **LN2** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 4:59 am

mahlemiut wrote:Besides, no one uses the DOS version of MAME, unless they're still stuck with DOS or Win9x/Me. It hasn't been updated since 0.100, either. Even if you are using Win9x, you probably ought to use the Windows version (if it even works these days).

I have actually gotten into the habit and like running wolfmame through DOS.

It comes in handy for playing and recording many of the same game. Just go back to DOS prompt on quitting...press the up arrow and enter and off you go again.

I use the up arrow...increment the filename and hit enter so each game has an unique inp file.

BBH · Post by **BBH** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 6:53 am

LN2 wrote:
mahlemiut wrote:Besides, no one uses the DOS version of MAME, unless they're still stuck with DOS or Win9x/Me. It hasn't been updated since 0.100, either. Even if you are using Win9x, you probably ought to use the Windows version (if it even works these days).
I have actually gotten into the habit and like running wolfmame through DOS.

It comes in handy for playing and recording many of the same game. Just go back to DOS prompt on quitting...press the up arrow and enter and off you go again.

I use the up arrow...increment the filename and hit enter so each game has an unique inp file.

There is no WolfMAME for DOS. Using the Windows commandline version from a DOS prompt doesn't mean it's a DOS version.

ritcher1 · Post by **ritcher1** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 8:30 am

My appologies.... I use the non-gui "command line" version of 1.08 mame.

So... is there any trick to configuring the keyboard to recognize rapid-fire keystrokes? (no matter how fast I hit the fire button, the games act like I'm hitting it slowly)

Thanks again!

Post by **mahlemiut** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 8:51 am

For MARP purposes, no, you just have to physically push that button faster.

Maybe a few fingers for the button would help.

Weehawk · Post by **Weehawk** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 9:03 am

ritcher1 wrote:So... is there any trick to configuring the keyboard to recognize rapid-fire keystrokes? (no matter how fast I hit the fire button, the games act like I'm hitting it slowly)

Don't know where your problem is, but it's not in MAME.

MAME and a standard keyboard have no problem registering 8 presses per second, which is fast pressing for a single finger.

I think people with real arcade buttons hooked up to their computers can get speeds up to 20 presses per second using multiple finger "strumming" techniques. Again, not a problem for MAME.

ritcher1 · Post by **ritcher1** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 1:19 pm

Thanks for all your attempts to help.

-Roy

_Zaphod_ · Post by **_Zaphod_** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 7:10 pm

People playing on thr real arcade hardware for this game (which used a very large, low travel button designed to be beat on hard and fast) can easily make 20-30 presses per second by doing a drumroll on the button wit their hands. such speeds are simply IPOSSIBLE to achieve on a keyboard without breaking the rules. thats why i think, that for games that specifically force you to button bash as a required part of the game, liek main event and track and field or the like, you should be able to map multiple keys to the same button, with a limit of weither 2 or three,d epending on what techniques worked in the real arcade. The best track and field players used three fingers alternatign on each run button, and this result in (in game) record breaking finishes with ease when you get it down. So i woudl allow three keys per run button. Speeds that seem inhuman can be hit in real life with this "triple flapping" technique.

Post by **mahlemiut** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:02 pm

You don't always get large buttons in the arcades either. The version of Main Event (actually it was a japanese version) that I played was in a generic cabinet.

The TJT · Post by **The TJT** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:07 pm

_Zaphod_ wrote:People playing on thr real arcade hardware for this game (which used a very large, low travel button designed to be beat on hard and fast) can easily make 20-30 presses per second by doing a drumroll on the button wit their hands. such speeds are simply IPOSSIBLE to achieve on a keyboard without breaking the rules. thats why i think, that for games that specifically force you to button bash as a required part of the game, liek main event and track and field or the like, you should be able to map multiple keys to the same button, with a limit of weither 2 or three,d epending on what techniques worked in the real arcade. The best track and field players used three fingers alternatign on each run button, and this result in (in game) record breaking finishes with ease when you get it down. So i woudl allow three keys per run button. Speeds that seem inhuman can be hit in real life with this "triple flapping" technique.

You can get very good speeds with keyboard too, it depends on your keyboard buttons. There could be some "ghosting" issues with ordinary keyboard though.
If you want to play these fast button pushing games seriously, then you should get something like hotrodse, x-arcade or similar controller for mame.
http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade.htm

_Zaphod_ · Post by **_Zaphod_** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 2:00 am

Incidentally, there are two ways to do well in Main Event, as I recall.

1) button bash like hell and get those submission holds off early. This is definitely a feat of skill.

2) go for ring outs. I believe this to be the easier strategy, and you don't have to button bash to do it. The life counter system favors the quick win, and theses are the two ways to do it. I've seen people ring out and win on EVERY MATCH.

I still stand by that on 95% of keyboards owned by peopel who can't get themseves pads or sticks are unsuitable for playing button basher games.

_Zaphod_ · Post by **_Zaphod_** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:22 pm

in fact the current main event top score wins every match by ring-out. the life units remaining bonus overshadows everythign else, so leeching points by extending the match is counterproductive. Thesefore you must win QUICKLY, and if you can toss the person out of the ring right ooff tehe bat, adn don't get hit, you will score very well, and not need to button mash at all!

I'll need to look at the second place score and see if it also uses the ringout method.

LN2 · Post by **LN2** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 4:57 am

BBH wrote:There is no WolfMAME for DOS. Using the Windows commandline version from a DOS prompt doesn't mean it's a DOS version.

sorry...I meant CLI.

yes, it's a XP-CLI build. It won't run within just DOS.