Question for the really fast Tetris players.

[Big Grizzle]

All of my friends that have seen me play IRL think I am super quick at this game. Compared to the average joe I suppose I am. However the elite players of this game seem to defy the laws of physics with the speed at which they play.


One particular player on x-box live - Gamertag PHiLLyZF1NeZT(or something similar) can tetris/t-spin me off the screen with ease. This guy once beat me using only doubles and triples. 1 game I laid down 4 tetrises and 2 t-spins mainly b2b's as fast as I could and still lost. When I checked the scores and stats. I had cleared 38 lines. This guy was on 50+ lines cleared no tetris', 1 t-spin(Which I countered at the start)...WTF???!!!!


I DLed LJ and the fastest I can manage is 65 tetronimoes per minute. I have seen a few vids on youtube of some of the posters on here clocking upwards of 130+ tetronimoes per second. How did you get that fast? Did it come naturally or did you practice it?

[Amnesia]

1993 --> 1997 : Tetris & Dr. M (301 lines)

1998 --> 2002 : No Tetris

2002 --> 2004 : Recover on T & Dr.M (328 lines)

2004 --> 2005 : TGM1 (Gm in April)

(3 month on TGM1 at 120%)

2005 --> 2007 : TGM2+ (S7 in Nov 2005, S9 and Death M in March 2007)


Today --> TGM1 : Gm in 11min28

--> TGM2 : S9 in 9min21

: M - 519


Total numbers of hours estimated --> ~ 2000 hours +/- 10%

http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif
Little resume of my tetris life..


I think it's a question of training.. http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif

That comes naturaly but you must force it!

Lot of us have used a special cheat or saves to improve faster..(for TGM2)

[caffeine]

philly's really good, and i'm thinking you've got a few layers left on the game to go. have a look around the wiki. try general strategy.

[Rosti LFC]

Really, I think most speed comes with either practice or natural ability. Or, with the uber-fast players like caff and jono, a lot of both.


LJ frustrates me slightly, because I know that with a gamepad or even a better keyboard I could probably break 130 without a massive amount of trouble.


I didn't really play that much until TDS. I had Tetris for the NES and GB, and enjoyed them both, but there was a gap of at least 8 years before TDS came out.


A lot of it is perseverance. I remember only 9 months or so ago when I'd see the ratings of players like caffeine and be certain that I'd never be good enough to get a rating like that. For a long time I was happy simply being in the top 2000 or so TDS players worldwide. Then I slowly climbed up to the point where I'm no longer happy with my position unless it's a place in the top 100.


A lot of practice really does help with speed. You have to be able to play without thinking. To use both rotate buttons, and to know where to place the next piece before you even get it, and to know exactly which buttons to press and for how long to get it there. I've played with a piece of paper covering the top of the playing field and no ghost piece, and it doesn't make much difference to how I play (though I misdrop a bit more). I don't need to be able to see the pieces. There's not much you can do to achieve that without practice and some natural ability.

[K]

First, what game are you playing IRL with your friends and xbox-live ?


i've never been addicted on puzzle game until i discovered TGM :

- casualy played tetris gameboy as everybody when i was young but no exceptionnal skills

- Played hard on TetriSphere to complete all challenge but nothing exceptionnal too.

- Started TGM1 3 years ago on zinc after i seen the famous "NOV" player video, and i would say that my level was "average joe"


As every game It depend more of "what you really want".

There is not magic formula that will instantly change you into a "mighty tetris god".

We can give you whatever tips, It's only up to you, to reveal the power that lie in your hands.


So stop playing and start training but remember :


Winner don't use drugs.



ps : no offence at all !! http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

[M.Bison]

So stop playing and start training

Perfectly worded


I have been playing Tetris games for around 2 years, but the ammount of hours I have played for is uncountable.


- Jono

[Amnesia]

Winner don't use drugs.


ps : no offence at all !!


From my friend, a very hardcore gamer, 30 years ago, certainely the best french player at kof and street, (a little crazy like you Jago http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif ) the good using of extasy can upgrad few ability for the fighting games..


I've discused a lot with him about the potential of extasy for Death mode, he knows the requirements for becoming a Death Master, and sincerly he thinks it's not a good idea for a game like tetris, but I've scheduled to try it and report back here..

One of us must try.. http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif

[DIGITAL]

So stop playing and start training
Perfectly worded

I have been playing Tetris games for around 2 years, but the ammount of hours I have played for is uncountable.

- Jono


I totally agree. You have to make a goal for yourself to reach. Start analysing how you play and make changes to your habits one at a time.

[Big Grizzle]

I used to play Tetris on the original huge grey brick of a Gameboy. A few friends at school used to bring their's to school, but that stopped about a week after I brought mine in as we started gambling on who would win. I beat everyone at school. This was about 13 years ago however.


I still play it single player to this day. My Mum is addicted to it, so whenever I visit home I normally steal her GB & go into Tetris mode for a few hours each day I'm there.


I have never really played for score as I found it more of a survival game. Best ever was 301 lines. However I normally die on exactly 279 lines. It's like a cursed number for me... http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif

I'm playing Tetris Evolution on 360 at the moment. I'm just trying to get as high up the leaderboard on marathon fixed(Currently number 17 with a emasly 600,000 score) & Ranked Vs(Floating somewhere between 74 & 94 it changes daily). 99% of the players I come across I can beat, but then I am normally taught a lesson in humility, by


A) messing it up and mis-dropping.


or


B) coming across Philly 10 times in a row. I did win once against him, but I think that had more to do with him messing up than me doing anything exceptional.


What can I say I just love this game & have come to the conclusion that by the top players standards I am a n00b. Add in my competetive nature and I want to get better!

[DIGITAL]

What can I say I just love this game & have come to the conclusion that by the top players standards I am a n00b. Add in my competetive nature and I want to get better!


That's the spirit! Knowing that you can still improve is the first step to becoming a great player.


By the way, the competion on the DS is much fiercer. http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif

[Rosti LFC]

In terms of beating people, I find misdrops are a good point to work on.


Don't be scared to play a little bit slower if it means that every piece finds it's mark. Playing at 120ppm instead of 100ppm doesn't make much difference if you misdrop. Play as quickly as you can while still making sure that you don't misdrop. Especially against opponents weaker than you, where misdrops are the only way they'll get the opportunity to win.

[cyberguile]

From my friend, a very hardcore gamer, 30 years ago, certainely the best french player at kof and street, (a little crazy like you Jago http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif ) the good using of extasy can upgrad few ability for the fighting games..



Who is your friend ? (as I know everybody ^^)


As for the topic: train, train, train.

BUT you need to play with the same mentality as a japanese guy in the arcade: if you loose this game, you loose your money.

I've seen a lot of people here sending their videos to ask how they should improve. Many times, I was shocked how fast they were giving up.

For me, as long as "game over" didn't appear on the screen, I MUST try to save my ass and go on playing, even in desperate cases (even if, in some too-speedy cases, it just means try to do the fewer bullshits move I can to win a couple of seconds of game)

[timc]

cyberguile has it spot on: play each game out. Everyone makes mistakes, Tetris is about who can fix them the best.

[DIGITAL]

Unless you're going for speedruns and not for improvement, in which case you'd try to avoid serious errors.

[K]

oups, i forgot... played a little bit to shmups :


- finished Raiden DX, expert stages course with 1 credit ( 9 levels)


and few others games...

[Big Grizzle]

Thanks for the encouragement guys.


I beat my best score last night! It's just under 700k. Which apparently is 6th on overall the leaderboards. Although it wouldn't be if some more of the players on here had 360s. It's also less than half of the top score! I'm just not good enough yet to do the 50 Tspins 10+ Tetrises with 60 B2B bonuses!


I do think this infinite spin harms my plan to improve my speed somewhat. I noticed that after a while I was instinctively moving a piece back and forth to stop it from locking. I think the way to go from here is try to get on the ultra mode top ten leaderboard. Even if I can't manage it it should stop me from abusing the infinity spin, thus improving my Vs game.

[DIGITAL]

Thanks for the encouragement guys.

I beat my best score last night! It's just under 700k. Which apparently is 6th on overall the leaderboards. Although it wouldn't be if some more of the players on here had 360s. It's also less than half of the top score! I'm just not good enough to do the 50 Tspins 10+ Tetrises with 60 B2B bonuses!

I do think this infinite spin harms my plan to improve my speed somewhat. I noticed that after a while I was instinctively moving a piece back and forth to stop it from locking. I think the way to go from here is try to get on the ultra mode top ten leaderboard. Even if I can't manage it it should stop me from abusing the infinity spin, thus improving my Vs game.


I'd imagine the 360's leaderboard gap in rankings is due to the lack of participation from Japan hehe.


Infinite spin does somewhat spoil you but there are players here that still play fast even with the option. You'll get the hang of it eventually and start locking faster.


If TDS Vs. applies here, you can try to work on your BtB skills and avoid overstacking. Throw a few T-Spin Doubles into the mix.

[DIGITAL]

Thanks for the encouragement guys.

I beat my best score last night! It's just under 700k. Which apparently is 6th on overall the leaderboards. Although it wouldn't be if some more of the players on here had 360s. It's also less than half of the top score! I'm just not good enough to do the 50 Tspins 10+ Tetrises with 60 B2B bonuses!

I do think this infinite spin harms my plan to improve my speed somewhat. I noticed that after a while I was instinctively moving a piece back and forth to stop it from locking. I think the way to go from here is try to get on the ultra mode top ten leaderboard. Even if I can't manage it it should stop me from abusing the infinity spin, thus improving my Vs game.


I'd imagine the 360's leaderboard gap in rankings is due to the lack of participation from Japan hehe.


Infinite spin does somewhat spoil you but there are players here that still play fast even with the option. You'll get the hang of it eventually and start locking faster.


If TDS Vs. applies here, you can try to work on your BtB skills and avoid overstacking. Throw a few T-Spin Doubles into the mix.

[Big Grizzle]

I have not played TDS. From the replays I have seen on youtube and having tried some of the 1 line TSpin setups from the wiki. I know that some don't work on Evolution.


I do throw in a few TSpin doubles when the opportunities present themselves now. Although I am not always the best judge of when to go for it. As I have lost games against weaker players when the set up has gone wrong.


Initially TSpins were completely alien to me. It meant stacking in ways I wouldn't dream of if I was playing on my Mum's Gameboy. However they score 18,000(27,000 with a B2B) on lvl 15 and only take 2 lines off the total 150 before game over. So I knew I'd have to learn and incorporate them.

[Big Grizzle]

I have had a lot of improvement recently.


Marathon

880,000k and 3rd place overall.


Score 25K

2 mins 22 secs. 4th or 5th overall I can't remember.


Ranked Vs

Been as low as 49 currentlt about 75th because I lost one game. I'm not convinced the leaderboard knows what it is doing. My winning % has gone up from 70% to 77%.


...but I'm still stumped on how to lock each piece when playing on level 15. I have noticed that it is harder to move the pieces left and right after a hard lock. This normally ends up with a piece just ending up in the middle messing up my stack.


Is this hardlock thing a side effect of all the TGM you guys play? Any tips on how to learn how to use this properly would be greatly appreciated.

[sihumchai]

I have had a lot of improvement recently.

[snip..]

...but I'm still stumped on how to lock each piece when playing on level 15. I have noticed that it is harder to move the pieces left and right after a hard lock. This normally ends up with a piece just ending up in the middle messing up my stack.

Is this hardlock thing a side effect of all the TGM you guys play? Any tips on how to learn how to use this properly would be greatly appreciated.


Could you elaborate more on that?

[mat]

ARE = important

[sihumchai]

ARE = important


Was about to comment on that, but just needed to know what he wanted to know http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_redface.gif

ARE is important. ARE happens right after the piece locks, and you'll a few miliseconds(or frames) to input a few commands before the next piece spawns.


ARE will accept:


Left/Right inputs: Hold left/right right after piece locks, when the next-piece spawns, it will be 'thrown' to the left/right depending on your input. This is called DAS(delayed auto-shift).


Rotation: The initial rotation system(IRS) allows you to rotate the next-spawn pieces when it comes 'out'. Initially an I-piece would spawn horizontally but if you hold either rotation buttons it will 'stand' when the piece spawns.


(You will hear a "shing!" whenever you initial rotate)


Holds: Holds too are accepted during ARE. And it works pretty much the same way as IRS.


Did I left anything out? The TGM wiki from tetrisconcept is pretty detailed on TGM specifics.

[DIGITAL]

...but I'm still stumped on how to lock each piece when playing on level 15. I have noticed that it is harder to move the pieces left and right after a hard lock. This normally ends up with a piece just ending up in the middle messing up my stack.


Perhaps hard locking makes it more difficult for you to charge DAS?

[Big Grizzle]

Perhaps hard locking makes it more difficult for you to charge DAS?


I'm beginning to think it may just be my reaction times from pushing up on the d-pad to pushing right/left are too slow. There are a few players that have no problem whatsoever with hard locking on lvl 15.


It is really frustrating at the moment. When I watch replays from the leaderboards the top guys do what I would do only faster. An example of this would be the Score 25K leaderboard.


1) Philly - 1 min 45 secs

2) Caffiene - 2 mins and a little bit


...and a few places below those guys is me with 2 min 22 secs.


I have no idea how I am supposed to shave 37 seconds off of my time.

[K]

I'm beginning to think it may just be my reaction times from pushing up on the d-pad to pushing right/left are too slow. There are a few players that have no problem whatsoever with hard locking on lvl 15.
physiological reflex come with time so, keep training ? http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif

It is really frustrating at the moment. When I watch replays from the leaderboards the top guys do what I would do only faster. An example of this would be the Score 25K leaderboard.

1) Philly - 1 min 45 secs
2) Caffiene - 2 mins and a little bit

...and a few places below those guys is me with 2 min 22 secs.

I have no idea how I am supposed to shave 37 seconds off of my time.

Yeah !! you found the problem : what you would do only faster.


how do you think 100 m sprinter are able to run under 10 sec ? and save few precious milliseconds for world record ?


ok they are too much well paid and have trainers, 2 things we don't have here... but we are sure that they train hard... (ok some take drugs... and maybe it was not a good example) http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif

[Big Grizzle]

Yeah !! you found the problem : what you would do only faster.

how do you think 100 m sprinter are able to run under 10 sec ? and save few precious milliseconds for world record ?

ok they are too much well paid and have trainers, 2 things we don't have here... but we are sure that they train hard... (ok some take drugs... and maybe it was not a good example) http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif



My housemate beleives that taking speed would improve a person's Tetris skills. However, I played too much NBA Jam in my youth. The one with the warning WINNERS DO NOT USE DRUGS! on the loading screen. So drugs are off the table for me.


Do people really use Class A stimulants to play Tetris faster though? Tetris is already crack in video game form.

[Amnesia]

Do people really use Class A stimulants to play Tetris faster though?


http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_twisted.gifhttp://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_twisted.gif

I'll soon perform some little test about that..

If one day I reach a new record with class a stimulant like you say, I will write a detailled report..

[Pineapple]

Tetris is already crack in video game form.

I think you mean Animal Crossing, not Tetris...

[cyberguile]

Big grizzle: the problem is not trying and increase your reflex, your speed and so on which are physiological.

The problem is trying to "purify" your skill.


A random example: a tetromino appears at the top of the game field.

The beginner will think "hum, if I put it on the left, might be good, but on the right, it will clear a line. and what if I put it in the middle and try building a huge pyramid ?". And of course, sometimes, you don't choose the best place, making the next tetramino even harder to place.

The advanced player won't think, he will just put the tetramino somewhere.

The really advanced player will just put the tetramino in the best place where it could fit, because from his gaming experience and the hundreds of times he has seen a similar situation, it became "natural".

And the top player will do so, but moreover, in his head, he will have already put the next tetromino in the best possible place while thinking about a general strategy and so on.


This is the way you will improve significantly your game speed, and the only key is: training, training and training !

[Amnesia]

Bravo pour ce post! http://www.tetrisconcept.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif
C'est bien dit tout ca..