Unused FFVII field animations article; looking for a Project Leader

[Shademp]

I've long wanted to make the feature "Unused FFVII Background Animations & Unseen Map Segments", but I realise now I will never get it done due to other responsibilities.
So, I am now looking for a willing soul to become the Project Leader, to whom I will of course be a close advisor.

I will pass on the necessary software and files to whoever becomes responsible to make this feature happen. It is a plus if you already have a PSX emulator ready, with FFVII discs and saves, to allow fast-play and thus make the research happen faster. However I can provide these even if you do not already have that installed.

All I require is that you are
1) Passionate about getting this feature done
2) Extremely obsessed with detail, as the article must cover all unused animations ranging from the terribly mundane to the extremely interesting.

Other challenges, such as how the content will be best presented on TLS, can be discussed later. The main task will be for you to browse through the over 700 field files of FFVII in search of all the unused animations.


You have a chance to contribute. Will you take it?

 

[Tennyo]

So are you saying you want someone to go through and find the unused animations?

I don't know if I would have the hardware for it, however, if someone got them together I'd be willing to write it up or at least contribute on that scale.

 

[Shademp]

So are you saying you want someone to go through and find the unused animations?

Indeed. I've edited that detail into the first post now.

I don't know if I would have the hardware for it, however, if someone got them together I'd be willing to write it up or at least contribute on that scale.

The main program I recommend for this project is "7mimic". I have only ever used Windows computers so I have no experience if 7mimic works on a Mac or other. Other than that, there should be no hardware problems.

 

[Shademp]

Many members and visitors probably think to themselves, "I'd like to generate content, but I don't know what or how..."

This project is a perfect example of something that anyone with the will power can do. Besides the plus of helping create a great feature for TLS, you will also get to experience FFVII from a different point of view. It is a nice feeling to see all those little bits of the maps which usually are out of vision in-game, or to see all the animations represented by parameters.

The only potentially complicated part is that 7mimic works by reading the game disc, so it is a plus if you have Alcohol120% (or a similar) program installed so to not have to use a physical disc all the time.

I will help you get started, then from there you have a great journey ahead.

 

[Flintlock]

I don't think I'll be able to take this project on, but just out of interest: You mention Alcohol 120% - does that imply that ISO files are acceptable equivalents to the original discs? Would it matter if they have been downloaded from the internet, rather than ripped directly? My copy of FFVII (which is in bad condition) is in the UK, while I'm in Finland. I only play on an emulator these days.

 

[Shademp]

I don't think I'll be able to take this project on, but just out of interest: You mention Alcohol 120% - does that imply that ISO files are acceptable equivalents to the original discs? Would it matter if they have been downloaded from the internet, rather than ripped directly? My copy of FFVII (which is in bad condition) is in the UK, while I'm in Finland. I only play on an emulator these days.

Yes, ISO files are acceptable. Both .iso and .img files work. You don't need a physical copy to go through with this project.

I haven't played FFVII on a real PlayStation since...November 2010. That was when I played the JORG version all the way through. Nice experience.

 

[Sylvie]

I'm considering throwing a bit of my time into this. I don't have the care to a leader but I will happily look for unused animations and catalog them, and probably have no problem writing a good bit about my discoveries or unearthings.

 

[Shademp]

@Sylvie

That could work. All that remains after all the unused animations have been catalogued would be to figure out the optimal presentation in WordPress for this material. I speculate that something flash-based might work best but I've never actually used flash.

Simply inform me if you ever decide on checking through all the animations and I can go over the details later. In the meantime, you can download 7Mimic 2005 Version. There is no later edition and it has *some* limitations in comparison to other software, but the advantage is that you can easily and quickly toggle through all the animations. This helps greatly with reducing the time it takes to complete this work.

 

[Sylvie]

Thanks for the link.

 

[Sylvie]

Finally getting around to this. I'm already fascinated by the descriptions of some of the graphics or whatever. I recall a map in the debug room called "Dark City 4th Street", and now it's appearing again here right at the beginning (4Sxxx_xx); 4th Street Plate Int.

Hey, could this thing read a JORG image?

and lolwtf:

“Power is Truth
Shinra is the future.
Your real happiness can be found
in obeying the company!”

“……ga……
g, ga ga………………”

 

[Shademp]

Finally getting around to this. I'm already fascinated by the descriptions of some of the graphics or whatever.

If it was me who catalogued the unused animations, I would do so both via descriptions but also noting which parameter and state is involved.

For example, this unused animation is Parameter 1, State 3. The counter is always closed, with the board staying down.

Hey, could this thing read a JORG image?

Yes. With megaupload gone I don't know how to share JORG discs though. 2shared only allows files of up to 200 MB at a time, and the JORG discs are around 700 MB.

 

[Sylvie]

I believe I found a file for it.