This is where the .rec and .inf files go.

Just for a note that any previous version of .rec files are most likely not to work with the current build of Marble Blast Platinum.

This file is here so that the installer won't crash and burn. I may as well make use of it and tell you of the above info.


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Let's post here my guide for recording demos. Free advertisement =D




Recording Demos/Replays using Marble Blast - Under Construction (like from 2007... but modified for the sake of 1.10)
You'll learn how to create replays/demos of yourself, the issues to consider and how to view the recordings.
Guide by Matan Weissman.


Helpful tips:

If you go OOB, you can either exit the level or continue to play (please read the issues with recordings below).


Main issues with Recording

1) Cross Platform - A windows user can only see a successful recording from a windows user. If he's given a MAC/Linux user recording, there will be some weird movements by the game that cause it to make mis-steps, and lots. MAC to MAC and Linux to Linux. In some cases the recording will simply not start.

2) Out of Bounds - If the player, at any time during recording, is going out of bounds, he must NEVER press his mouse to restart the level, as in the record it doesn't show so. As a matter of fact, in replays, if the marble goes off bounds, it will continuously show the level until it's normally restarting. It will never show the player restarting in mid-OOB. Had the player restarted while being OOB (Out of Bounds), the replay would not detect it, but it will detect the 'movement' of the marble. In the replay, it would show different moved to the ones required. So there could be a mismatch of up to 3-4 seconds.

3) End of Level's Replay/Continue - If the player finished a successful run but wants to do a better one on that level, he mustn't press on replay but instead press on continue and go back to the level in the menu. He can then enter the recording code and THEN enter the level and play it again. The reason for that is that a recording would never finish (show the marble in the exit pad the whole time) had the player pressed Replay. If the player presses continue, the game would detect that it can stop the recording normally.

4) Minor issues:

a) Missteps - Although a player may do a successful run in a certain level, when he, or someone else watches the recording, may see him doing a misstep in a certain area and going out of bounds, although in reality he never did. The reason for that is unknown, but it is annoying. Another example is that a fan throws the player out of bounds and in the replay it never did. Again, the reason is unknown. It happened to several people already, so watch out.

b) Custom Levels - Unless the player holds the custom level on all of its interiors and the .mis file, he cannot see the custom level recording that someone else might've done. Note again about the cross platform issue as it occurs the same in here.

c) Overwritting - The player had done a successful replay/demo and wishes to do another one on another level. Unfortunately, he didn't change the demo.rec file that was created by MBG to another filename and so, he overwrote the first file with the same filename, but for another level.

d) Incorrect path destination - Each .rec file has at its beginning the destination folder of which MBG would look for. For example:

marble/data/missions/advanced/halfpipe2.mis

This means that you should place the halfpipe2.mis file in the advanced folder in order to get the recording to show up.

e) The longer the level, the higher the chances there will be a mis-step in the recording and all is messed up. Recommendation of levels with sub-2 minutes to be done on a rec else find another program or take the risk. It could always work. I managed a 5 mins file max.



To stop a recording:

At anytime, whether it's at the end of the level or mid-level recording, you can press ESC and so exit the recording. You'll be sent straight to the menu.



Issues with viewing

a) Missteps - Look above.

b) Not playable by other programs - the MyCoolRecording.rec file is not playable by any other program as they do not recognise that file as their own, even if they list that they can play .rec files. The only way to see a replay/demo is by Marble Blast Gold.





Note for 2008 - whenever... :

1.10 and the replay center are great and solve a few of the above problems. I've also been able to record The Ultimate Friction Challenge and playback it 3 times before the third time was successful. It has just about what every recording must not have. So basically record if you won't, but don't be surprised if it won't work. Heck, it can work once and never again!