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Highlight of The Month: Secret/Hidden Characters (Read 26558 times)

Started by squallcolin, December 23, 2003, 07:41:05 am
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Highlight of The Month: Secret/Hidden Characters
New #1  December 23, 2003, 07:41:05 am
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Hello again! This is my Highlight of the Month topic: Secret/Hidden characters. Some of you might wonder if this was possible. Well, Mugen docs did ever mentioned this:

Quote
Does MUGEN support hidden characters and other secrets?
=======================================================

No, it doesn't.

So, is it really impossible? Well, actually, it can be done. Just need some tedious/frustrating work.

Restructuring Your Select character file
===========================


This applies to those of you whom already have characters added into their character selection file (select.def).

Character Selection Screen P.O.V.[/i]
========================


Initially, your character selection screen might looked like this.

Example:
________________________________________
Row\Col| 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15
----------------------------------------------------------------
1st  row   C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C
2nd row   C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C
3rd  row   C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C
4th  row   C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C
5th  row   C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C
6th  row   C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C

C = Playable Character

Total: 90 characters

This is the usual normal Mugen character adding method.

Step 1:
======


Now, change it like this:

________________________________________
Row\Col| 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15
----------------------------------------------------------------
1st  row   -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C  C    -
2nd row  -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C  C    -
3rd  row   -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C  C    -
4th  row   -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C  C    -
5th  row   -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C  C    -
6th  row   -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C  C    -

C =Character
- = Empty Slot

Step 2:
======


What happened to the 1st and 15th column characters, you might ask?
Put them below in the 7th column like so:

________________________________________
Row\Col| 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15
----------------------------------------------------------------
1st  row   -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C  C    -
2nd row  -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C  C    -
3rd  row   -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C  C    -
4th  row   -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C  C    -
5th  row   -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C  C    -
6th  row   -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C  C    -
7th  row   -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C   -     -

Step 3:
======


Make sure that the 1st and 15th column (or the last column) of your select screen is left empty.

Step 4:
======


Now, include your hidden/secret characters in the 1st and 15th (or last column) of your Mugen select screen, like so:

________________________________________
Row\Col| 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15
----------------------------------------------------------------
1st  row   -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C  C    -
2nd row  -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C  C    -
3rd  row   -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C  C    -
4th  row   -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C  C    -
5th  row   -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C  C    -
6th  row   -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C  C    -
7th  row   -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C   -     -
8th  row  X   -   -    -   -    -    -   -   -    -   -     -   -    -    X
9th  row  X   -   -    -   -    -    -   -   -    -   -     -   -    -    X
.
.
.
.
.
n th  row  X   -   -    -   -    -    -   -   -    -   -     -   -    -    X


where n = number of total rows
and x in red color = secret/hidden characters
In short, just repeat the process to add the secret/hidden characters.

Select.def P.O.V.
============
[/i]

So now, your character select file might looked like this:

Under [select.def] file,
;1st Row
;------------------------------------------------------

empty
char1
char2
char3
char4
char5
char6
char7
char8
char9
char10
char11
char12
char13
empty

;2nd Row
;--------------------------------------------------------------------
empty
char14
char15
.
.
char26
empty

(char1-char90 represents the name of a playable character)

[Repeat until you finish the 7th row]

Note: Additional parameter is optional.

Example:

kusanagi, stages/netherlands.def, order=2, music=sound/esaka96.mp3
kyo99, stages/krizalid3.def, order=2, includestage=0, music=sound/tears99.mp3
[/i]
.
.
.
and so on...

Now, for the secret/hidden characters:

;7th Row
;--------------------------------------
hidchar1, stages/[hidden characters stage file].def, order=4, music=sound/[BGM file]
empty
empty
empty
empty
empty
empty
empty
empty
empty
empty
empty
empty
empty
hidchar2

;8th Row
;-----------------------------------------------
hidchar3
empty
empty
empty
empty
empty
empty
empty
empty
empty
empty
empty
empty
empty
hidchar4

Repeat the process for the characters you want to make secret/hidden.

Now, the finishing touch:

5th Step:
========
(Very Important)

Go to Data folder,

Open System.def:

Under [system.def],

In [Select Info] section,
;-------------------------------------------------------------------
;Character select definition
[Select Info]
showemptyboxes = 0        ;1 to show empty boxes
moveoveremptyboxes = 0    ;1 to allow cursor to move over empty boxes

Please, make sure that the above settings are set as shown above. If not it won't work.


6th Step:
========


Save the [system.def] file. And most importantly, save your [select.def] file!



Voila! It's done!.

Try it!

To unlock/access secret/hidden characters:
=================================


Character Select Screen P.O.V.
======================


Row\Col| 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15
----------------------------------------------------------------
1st  row   -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C  C    -
2nd row  -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C  C    -
3rd  row   -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C  C    -
4th  row   -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C  C    -
5th  row   -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C  C    -
6th  row   -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C  C    -
7th  row   -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C   C   C   ?     -
8th  row  X   -   -    -   -    -    -   -   -    -   -     -   -    -    X
9th  row  X   -   -    -   -    -    -   -   -    -   -     -   -    -    X
.
.
.
.
.
n th  row  X   -   -    -   -    -    -   -   -    -   -     -   -    -    X


You may insert a (?) in the last column of the 7th row of the character select slot.
To unlock/access the secret/hidden characters go to the (?) slot and press a button. If you are lucky, you might unlock it!  (Remember Uranus, Master, Sho and Vermillion from Battle Arena Toshinden 2? They are the secret characters in Battle Arena Toshinden 2. Just the difference is that you can't slow down the rotation of the (?) slot in Mugen...)

Select.def P.O.V.
============


;7th Row
;--------------------------------------------------------
empty
char79
char80
char81
char82
char83
char84
char85
char86
char87
char88
char89
char90
randomselect
empty

Voila! It's done! Try it. That's a wrap.

P.S. Helpful/Constructive feedbacks are welcome. And

Wishing All MugenGuild Members, Mods, and Admins A Very Joyful and Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year! ^_^

<Exclusive For MugenGuild and Elecbyte Forums Only>

[Previous edit on December 23, 2003, 03:20:50AM]

[EDIT]
22 Sep 2009: Yesterday was the day of reckoning of Elecbyte returning to the Mugen community. New version of HD Mugen was officially released! Check them out! http://www.elecbyte.com Welcome back Elecbyte! ^_^

P.S. I'm sharing this to Elecbyte forum community as well from today onwards.
[/EDIT]
Last Edit: September 22, 2009, 11:23:00 am by squallcolin
Re:Secret/Hidden Characters
#2  December 24, 2003, 01:57:30 am
  • ******
  • In after lock
    • mugenguild.com/~messatsu/index.html
To sum it up, the basic premise is that the hidden characters can't have a selectable character in cardinal directions in relation to itself.

P  P  X  P  P
P  P  X  P  P
X  X  H  X  X
P  P  X  P  P
P  P  X  P  P

P = playable, X = blank, H = hidden.


Many people risk their lives everyday by having Mugen.
Last Edit: December 24, 2003, 02:01:08 am by Messatsu
Re:Secret/Hidden Characters
#3  December 24, 2003, 02:33:39 am
  • ******
    • Germany
To sum it up, the basic premise is that the hidden characters can't have a selectable character in cardinal directions in relation to itself.

P  P  X  P  P
P  P  X  P  P
X  X  H  X  X
P  P  X  P  P
P  P  X  P  P

P = playable, X = blank, H = hidden.

P  P  P  P  P
P  P  X  P  P
P  X  H  X  P
P  P  X  P  P
P  P  P  P  P

merry christmas ;)
Re:Secret/Hidden Characters
#4  December 24, 2003, 03:54:06 am
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    • mugenguild.com/~messatsu/index.html
Mine works with moveoveremptyboxes = 0 or 1. :cool:

Quote
[Select Info]
showemptyboxes = 0        ;1 to show empty boxes
moveoveremptyboxes = 0    ;1 to allow cursor to move over empty boxes

Please, make sure that the above settings are set as shown above. If not it won't work.
PWNED :tongue: :laugh:


Many people risk their lives everyday by having Mugen.
Last Edit: December 24, 2003, 04:01:24 am by Messatsu
Re:Secret/Hidden Characters
#5  December 25, 2003, 10:08:44 pm
  • ******
    • Germany
sure, it works with moveoveremptyboxes = 0, but you can only select the green ones... because you can't move over empty boxes ;)

P  P  X  P  P
P  P  X  P  P
X  X  H  X  X
P  P  X  P  P
P  P  X  P  P

P  P  P  P  P
P  P  X  P  P
P  X  H  X  P
P  P  X  P  P
P  P  P  P  P


pwned ^^
Last Edit: December 25, 2003, 10:12:10 pm by Valodim
Re:Secret/Hidden Characters
#6  December 25, 2003, 10:13:13 pm
  • ******
  • In after lock
    • mugenguild.com/~messatsu/index.html
wrapping = 1

P  P  X  P  P
P  P  X  P  P
X  X  H  X  X
P  P  X  P  P
P  P  X  P  P

Like, whoa.


Many people risk their lives everyday by having Mugen.
Last Edit: December 25, 2003, 10:18:50 pm by Messatsu
Re:Secret/Hidden Characters
#7  December 25, 2003, 10:15:30 pm
  • ******
    • Germany
duh, that's just a workaround... :P
Re:Secret/Hidden Characters
#8  February 03, 2004, 05:28:47 am
  • **
so.........is there a downloadable version of this? or a blank .def file that you can fix up with the instructions in this thread?
Re:Secret/Hidden Characters
#9  February 03, 2004, 11:36:03 am
  • avatar
  • ******
so.........is there a downloadable version of this? or a blank .def file that you can fix up with the instructions in this thread?
Yes; use the .def inside the last distribution of Mugen; or  make your own blanck select.def... it's only a text file, after all.

Edit: BTW this board has been made for posting answers... not questions. :yes:
Last Edit: February 03, 2004, 11:37:34 am by BlackJack
More Secret/Hidden Characters Updates!
New #10  February 21, 2004, 05:16:05 am
  • ***
  • Be good to your friends and family
    • www.angelfire.com/games5/colinkok/index.html
Hello again, guys/gals! I just wanted to clarify some things here:

Sorry, I've forgotten something very important for the Secret/Hidden character function to work.

Extra Step:
========


Under system.def,

[Select info]
p1.cursor.startcell = x,y
p2.cursor.startcell = a,b

Where

x = the row of the 1P on the select screen.
y = the column of the 1P on the select screen.
a = the row of the 2P on the select screen.
b = the column of the 2P on the select screen.

Example:

p1.cursor.startcell = 0,0
p2.cursor.startcell = 0,15

+ 1 to the value of y,
- 1 to the value of b.


Please, remember to save the system.def file...

Reason (Applicable to my example):
=========================

If the p1.cursor.startcell = 0,0 when the 1P go to the character select screen, the cursor will start at the 1st row 1st column, while the 2P starting cursor position would be the 1st row 15th column, which were meant to be unaccessable. By doing this, the starting postion for 1P would be changed 1st row 2nd column and for 2P would be changed 1st row 14th column (which is the normal playable characters).

Row\Col| 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15
----------------------------------------------------------------
1st  row  -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C    -
2nd row  -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C    -
3rd  row  -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C    -
4th  row  -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C    -
5th  row  -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C    -
6th  row  -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C    -
7th  row  -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  ?    -
8th  row  X  -  -    -  -    -    -  -  -    -  -    -  -    -    X
9th  row  X  -  -    -  -    -    -  -  -    -  -    -  -    -    X
.
.
.
.
.
n th  row  X  -  -    -  -    -    -  -  -    -  -    -  -    -    X


Due to the reason some of you posted this:

Quote
Mine works with moveoveremptyboxes = 0 or 1.  


Quote
[Select Info]
showemptyboxes = 0        ;1 to show empty boxes
moveoveremptyboxes = 0    ;1 to allow cursor to move over empty boxes

Please, make sure that the above settings are set as shown above. If not it won't work.
 
PWNED  


About moveoveremptyboxes function
==============================


Guys, this function work like this:

When you have a blank space or an invalid character on your select.def file, usually Mugen will just display or make the blank/invalid character available on the selection screen. This might cause Mugen to end unexpectedly with the error message saying that the character can't be loaded. To solve this problem, Elecbyte has come up with this function to prevent this from happening.

To sum it up:

This function movesoveremptyboxes=0 makes Mugen mark those empty/invalid character selection boxes as void, thus the player or the CPU will not select them and cause Mugen to end unexpectedly.

But,

If this function is set to this instead:

moveoveremptyboxes=1

Mugen will make every character select boxes selectable.

If this is the case, the secret/hidden characters function will not work properly because even the empty boxes can be selectable, and thus the player can just squeeze thier way though the empty boxes and thus reach the secret/hidden character selection boxes.


Examples:

Character Select Screen P.O.V.
======================


Row\Col| 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15
----------------------------------------------------------------
1st  row  -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C    -
2nd row  -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C    -
3rd  row  -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C    -
4th  row  -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C    -
5th  row  -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C    -
6th  row  -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C    -
7th  row  -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  ?    -
8th  row  X  -  -    -  -    -    -  -  -    -  -    -  -    -    X
9th  row  X  -  -    -  -    -    -  -  -    -  -    -  -    -    X
.
.
.
.
.
n th  row  X  -  -    -  -    -    -  -  -    -  -    -  -    -    X


In my example:

The select screen is only visible up to the 7th row, while the 8th row and beyond is hidden below the screen. Plus, the 1st and 15th column of the select screen was meant to be unacessable.

But,

If the movesoveremptyboxes is set to 1,

Row\Col| 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15
----------------------------------------------------------------
1st  row  -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C    -
2nd row  -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C    -
3rd  row  -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C    -
4th  row  -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C    -
5th  row  -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C    -
6th  row  -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C    -
7th  row  -  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  C  ?    -
8th  row  X  -  -    -  -    -    -  -  -    -  -    -  -    -    X
9th  row  X  -  -    -  -    -    -  -  -    -  -    -  -    -    X
.
.
.
.
.
n th  row  X  -  -    -  -    -    -  -  -    -  -    -  -    -    X

Notice that the 1st and the 15th column has become accessable like any other normal playable character on the select screen. So, the secret/hidden character function will not work anymore.

Another example:

Messatsu, about your reply,

P  P  X  P  P
P  P  X  P  P
X  X  H  X  X
P  P  X  P  P
P  P  X  P  P


When moveoveremptyboxes is set to 1, the player can move the cursor to the X  and then towards the H, so the function will not work unless it is set to moveoveremptyboxes=0. That's why I said be sure to set movesoveremptyboxes=0, if not it won't work.

Another example:

Valodim, about your reply:

P  P  P  P  P
P  P  X  P  P
P  X  H  X  P
P  P  X  P  P
P  P  P  P  P

When moveoveremptyboxes=1, the player can do the same as in Messatsu's example. However, if it is set to 0, the player can still access the secret/hidden character by moving to the 3rd row 1st column, then right. So, it won't work if movesoveremptyboxes is set to 1.

(Btw, what does "pwned" means?)

And now,

More update on:

Unlocking secret/hidden characters:
=========================


When posting this, I've discovered an alternative way of unlocking the secret characters. This is an easier way of unlocking it.

Step 1:
=====


Under select.def,

Set movesoveremptyboxes to 1.

Final Step :
========


Save the select.def file.



Now, to unlock the secret/hidden character, for 1P just do the following:

Start any game. (Arcade, Team Arcade, Team Vs, Team Co-operation)

1P

Press:

Down, Down, Down, Down, Down, Down, Down, Left

or

Down, Down, Down, Down  Down, Down, Left, Down.


For 2P, just do the following:

Start any game. (Arcade, Team Arcade, Team Vs, Team Co-operation)

2P

Press:

Down, Down, Down, Down, Down, Down, Down, Right

or

Down, Down, Down, Down  Down, Down, Right, Down.



Caution!
=======

But, be very careful:

If you have any invalid characters on the select.def file,

Never ever ever press button on any of the empty boxes invalid character slot, or...
Game Over...

Or you better hope that the CPU won't choose the empty boxes invalid character boxes throughout the game... Good Luck...


To be safe, use this unlocking method only if you plan to play in VS mode.

(Edit: This is corrected. I'm sorry for the mistake. Thanks to Kung Fu Man for correcting me.)


Or, if you feel you wanted to try your luck on unlocking the secret characters by using the Random select box (?), just simply set moveoveremptyboxes to 0 instead. plus it's safer!

Well, that's all for now. Try it! Good Luck!

(Post Edited and Corrected)

[Previous Edit On Feb 22, 2004 09:52:42AM]

[EDIT]

<Again, Exclusive For MugenGuild.com and Elecbyte Forums only>

[/EDIT]
^_^
Last Edit: September 23, 2009, 01:18:41 pm by squallcolin
Re:More Secret/Hidden Characters Updates!
#11  February 22, 2004, 03:05:39 pm
  • ******
    • Germany
Valodim, about your reply:

P  P  P  P  P
P  P  X  P  P
P  X  H  X  P
P  P  X  P  P
P  P  P  P  P

When moveoveremptyboxes=1, the player can do the same as in Messatsu's example. However, if it is set to 0, the player can still access the secret/hidden character by moving to the 3rd row 1st column, then right. So, it won't work if movesoveremptyboxes is set to 1.

didn't I say that?


Quote
(Btw, what does "pwned" means?)

"pwned" -> "owned", if you "pwn" somebody you make him look bad... hard to explain...
Re:More Secret/Hidden Characters Updates!
New #12  February 22, 2004, 04:13:49 pm
  • ***
  • Be good to your friends and family
    • www.angelfire.com/games5/colinkok/index.html
Thanks for the info, Valodim! ^_^

Since you mentioned this before:

sure, it works with moveoveremptyboxes = 0, but you can only select the green ones... because you can't move over empty boxes ;)

P  P  X  P  P
P  P  X  P  P
X  X  H  X  X
P  P  X  P  P
P  P  X  P  P

P  P  P  P  P
P  P  X  P  P
P  X  H  X  P
P  P  X  P  P
P  P  P  P  P


pwned ^^

And, to clarify this,

moveoveremptyboxes means moving into/accessing empty boxes. (Update: It doesn't mean that you can't move over / cross over to the other side of the empty box.) Setting it to 0 means skipping of empty boxes, and setting it  to 1 means accessing every boxes, even the invalid/empty ones.

Hope it clarifies your understanding of moveoveremptyboxes.

(Maybe Elecbyte should change this function to this instead: accessemptyboxes or even moveintoempty boxes to avoid misunderstanding.)

^_^
Last Edit: February 24, 2004, 05:11:57 am by squallcolin

Mercykiller

Re:More Secret/Hidden Characters Updates!
#13  February 22, 2004, 04:28:56 pm
Unlocking secret/hidden characters:
=========================


When posting this, I've discovered an alternative way of unlocking the secret characters. This is an easier way of unlocking it.

Step 1:
=====


Under select.def,

Set movesoveremptyboxes to 1.

Final Step :
========


Save the select.def file.



Now, to unlock the secret/hidden character, for 1P just do the following:

Start any game. (Arcade, Team Arcade, Team Vs, Team Co-operation)

1P

Press:

Down, Down, Down, Down, Down, Down, Down, Left

or

Down, Down, Down, Down  Down, Down, Left, Down.


For 2P, just do the following:

Start any game. (Arcade, Team Arcade, Team Vs, Team Co-operation)

2P

Press:

Down, Down, Down, Down, Down, Down, Down, Right

or

Down, Down, Down, Down  Down, Down, Right, Down.



Caution!
=======

But, be very careful:

Never ever ever press button on any of the empty slot, or...
Game Over...

Or you better hope that the CPU won't choose the empty boxes throughout the game... Good Luck...

To be safe, use this unlocking method only if you plan to play in VS mode.

Or, if you feel you wanted to try your luck on unlocking the secret characters by using the Random select box (?), just simply set moveoveremptyboxes to 0 instead, plus it's safer!

You're wrong in some cases here:

moveoveremptyboxes is under system.def, not select. Also, you can't press a key on an blank box and get a Game Over. Lastly, Mugen WON'T select the blank boxes as a character.

My statements verified on Mugen's last Dos version. :P
Re:More Secret/Hidden Characters Updates!
New #14  February 22, 2004, 04:40:41 pm
  • ***
  • Be good to your friends and family
    • www.angelfire.com/games5/colinkok/index.html
Oh, yes...

I'm sorry, I made a mistake here. I want to re-clarify more things here:

1. The function moveoveremptyboxes is found in the system.def file , not the select.def file.

2. It's true. Kung Fu Man was right. You can't select any empty slot and press a key because nothing happens (I've tested and verified that this is correct), but Game Over will only happens if you select an invalid character and press a button.

(Edited and Corrected my post)

Thanks for for the correction, Kung Fu Man! ^_^
Last Edit: February 22, 2004, 05:06:09 pm by squallcolin