The Battle of Olympus: Battle of Olympus: Item Randomizer

Introduction

Randomize items for new and exciting gameplay possibilities. Synergizes with the Explorer Edition hack, which is included in the same patch.

Features

- No external program or web app needed to randomize.

- Auto mode gives you a different seed on each reset.

- Manual mode lets you input the seed you want.

- Quick start puts you at Zeus's Temple with Hermes already summoned.

- Sandals and Ocarina are granted on start, leading to more routing possibilities.

- Choose the number of starting items and even randomize your starting location, using special codes.

- Softlock scenarios have been substantially reduced by a variety of post-release balance updates.

- Retro Achievements is https://retroachievements.org/game/27741.

- Help, discussions, and experimental builds available via community Discord server.

For a demonstration of these features, see the video below.

Related Hacks

- Battle of Olympus: Explorer Edition https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/7581/

+-------------------------------------+
| Battle of Olympus: Item Randomizer |
+-------------------------------------+

| Introduction
+--------------------------------------
Randomize items for new and exciting gameplay possibilities. All items are randomized each time in the current build. Synergizes with the Explorer Edition hack, which is included in the same patch.


| Features
+--------------------------------------
- No external program or web app needed to randomize.
- Auto mode gives you a different seed on each reset.
- Manual mode lets you input the seed you want.
- Quick start puts you at Zeus's Temple with Hermes already summoned.
- Sandals and Ocarina are granted on start, leading to more routing possibilities.
- Choose the number of starting items and even randomize your starting location, based on special codes.
- Softlock scenarios have been substantially reduced by a variety of post-release balance updates.

For a demonstration of these features, see the video below. For details on what is randomized, see the Version History section below.


| Video
+--------------------------------------
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4Fh21_hAgU


| Use With
+--------------------------------------
(No Intro)
File: Battle of Olympus, The (USA).nes
BitSize: 1 Mbit
Size (Bytes): 131072
CRC32: 6B53006A
MD5: FD643D07B01072A1376353BD37B1F8C6
Headerless MD5: 0183F722A8A39DCBE244F4DEDEB74628


| Tools Used
+--------------------------------------
- Mesen2
- FCEUX
- TBLater
- HxD
- GameHeader
- FLIPS
- Advanced NES ROM Utility
- Nflate


| References Used
+--------------------------------------
- The Battle of Olympus hacking and Latin translation by abw
- The Battle of Olympus (de)compression suite by abw
- The Battle of Olympus password generator by Steve Hicks (steve_hacks)
- Crystalis Randomizer by Steve Hicks (steve_hacks)
- The Battle of Olympus disassembly by Joel Yliluoma (Bisqwit)
- Minimal PRNG implementation in 6502 asm by Arlet Ottens (Arlet)
- Mod and div implementation in 6502 asm by Alex Clemmer (hausdorff)


| Special Thanks
+--------------------------------------
- Steve Hicks (steve_hacks) for personal feedback on different approaches to implementing randomizers, based on his experience in developing a successful randomizer and building a vibrant player community around it.

- Gaming Youtuber @HalDanGhor for encouraging me to follow through with my planned work on the hack, for testing in beta and after release, and for feedback on the design from the perspective of a top player of the game.

- @subledger. on Youtube and for testing in beta and after release and for feedback on the design from the perspective of a top player of the game

- shwank from Retro Achievements for testing in beta and after release and for feedback on the design from the perspective of a top player of the game.

- Speedrunner Karma_dragoness for feedback on Explorer Edition that paved the way for the Quick Start mechanics in Item Randomizer.


| Platform
+--------------------------------------
Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)


| Game Credits
+--------------------------------------
- Infinity, developer of the original game.
- Broderbund, publisher of the original game.
- Nintendo, licensor for the original game to be developed and published for the NES.


| Community Discord Server
+--------------------------------------
Because the Discord link is not currently permanent, please check the other links in this file for the latest Discord link.


| Community Links and Issue Tracker
+--------------------------------------
https://github.com/cIymax/the-battle-of-olympus-randomizer


| Retro Achievements
+--------------------------------------
Core Set
https://retroachievements.org/game/27741

Bonus Set
https://retroachievements.org/game/28137


| RaceTime.GG
+--------------------------------------
https://racetime.gg/tboor


| Version History
+--------------------------------------
Version 1.41 stable submitted on January 4, 2024 for release.
- Fixes a bug that causes items from enemies or backgrounds not to appear, caused by v1.34.

Version 1.40 nightly entered into beta on January 4, 2024.
- Fixes a bug that can cause the player to spawn Dolphin-less at sea, caused by introducing of the fix to the dolphin-riding glitch in v1.34.

Version 1.39 nightly entered into beta on January 3, 2024.
- Updates to debug mode for easier entry and for an additional equipment option.

Version 1.38 nightly entered into beta on January 3, 2024.
- Fixes a bug affecting the rando starting-region option and caused by introduction of the specified starting-region option of v1.33.

Version 1.37 stable submitted on January 2, 2024 for release.
- Fixes a bug that causes items from NPCs not to appear, caused by v1.35.

Version 1.36 stable submitted on January 2, 2024 for release.
- The Wooden Harp for representing the Fists has been successfully replaced with a blank icon.

Version 1.35 nightly entered into beta on January 2, 2024.
- Fixes a bug that could cause the secondary item to be displayed incorretly when using Fists.

Version 1.34 nightly entered into beta on January 1, 2024.
- Fixes a dolphin-riding glitch for certain debug options.

Version 1.33 nightly entered into beta on January 1, 2024.
- Specified starting regions now available for manual seeds. Enter 0-7 as the seventh character of your manual seed.

Version 1.32 nightly entered into beta on December 29, 2023.
- Fixed a bug that could cause an enemy not to die when it should.

Version 1.31 nightly entered into beta on December 29, 2023.
- New icon for Fists: Wooden Harp. May be replaced later.

Version 1.30 nightly entered into beta on December 28, 2023.
- Restores the properties of the Fists following the last patch.

Version 1.29 nightly entered into beta on December 26, 2023.
- Removes sword-based softlocks by buffing wooden weapons.

Version 1.28 nightly entered into beta on December 26, 2023.
- Debug mode updated to work with the Fists option.

Version 1.27 nightly entered into beta on December 25, 2023.
- Restores the starting location at Zeus's Temple when using auto seeds, by fixing a bug from version 1.25.

Version 1.26 nightly entered into beta on December 25, 2023.
- Fixes a bug in the last patch, that caused weapons and items to be unselectable in a 0-Item run.

Version 1.25 nightly entered into beta on December 25, 2023.
- Random starting-regions now available. Enter "R" as the seventh character when entering a manual seed.

Version 1.24 stable submitted on December 22, 2023 for release.
- Dying after traveling to Phthia by Harp no longer respawns you outside of Hephaestus's chamber.

Version 1.23 nightly entered into beta on December 20, 2023.
- The snake pits and the Crystal-gated section of Argolis are now reachable again.

Version 1.22 stable submitted on December 19, 2023 for release.
- Harp warping to Argolis no longer puts you in a glitched room.

Version 1.21 nightly entered into beta on December 18, 2023.
- Hephaestus exit no longer takes you back to the start of Phthia.

Version 1.20 nightly entered into beta on December 15, 2023.
- Debug mode added to facilitate testing.

Version 1.19 nightly entered into beta on December 13, 2023.
- Choosing RETRY/KEEP to restart at a God no longer gives the Club to barefisted Orpheus.

Version 1.18 nightly entered into beta on December 18, 2023.
- New, alternate three-item start now available: Harp instead of Ocarina.
- Available for both auto and manual seeds.

Version 1.17 nightly entered into beta on December 18, 2023.
- Hidden Harp warp added.

Version 1.16 stable submitted on December 14, 2023 for release.
- Fists have been made re-equippable in zero-item starts.
- Equipped fists will now show a Club.
- Inventory menu slot for fists will still be blank.

Version 1.15 nightly entered beta December 13, 2023.
- New optional starts for auto seeds, now available.
- Specifically, one-item, zero-item, two-item, and four-item starts are included.

Version 1.14 nightly entered beta December 13, 2023.
- Upon information, it appears that a bug in the seeding algorithm was introduced in version 1.10.
- The bug caused the same randomization to be given each time, regardless of auto or manual mode.
- The bug has now been fixed.

Version 1.13 nightly entered beta December 13, 2023.
- New optional starts for manual seeds, now available.
- Specifically, two-item and four-item starts are included.

Version 1.12 nightly entered beta December 13, 2023.
- Enables off-hand items to be used by Orpheus even when barehanded in a zero-item start.

Version 1.11 nightly entered beta December 13, 2023.
- New optional starts for manual seeds, now available.
- Specifically, one-item and zero-item starts are included.

Version 1.10 nightly entered beta December 12, 2023.
- Items dropped by enemies also randomized.
- Items dropped by backgrounds also randomized.
- Still present are the graphical glitches that kept these features from being included in version 1.00.

Version 1.09 nightly entered beta December 12, 2023.
- Release to confirm stability after quick-start routine was moved from the fixed memory bank to a switched memory bank.

Version 1.08 nightly entered beta December 11, 2023.
- Best ending now requires all three hearts to have been obtained.
- Normal ending is reacheed otherwise.

Version 1.07 stable submitted on December 11, 2023 for release.
- Rom size doubled to 256 KB.

Version 1.06 nightly entered beta December 10, 2023.
- Fixed a bug causing certain bosses to be vulnerable to lesser weapons than swords.

Version 1.05 nightly entered beta December 10, 2023.
- Fixed a bug causing certain maps to be unreachable following the Harp-destination update.
- However, this fix also makes the warp destinations farther away from the Sun statues. This may be addressed in a future patch.

Version 1.04 nightly entered beta December 10, 2023.
- Made Gaea vulnerable to lesser weapons than swords, to reduce the incidence of softlocking scenarios from inferior seed-RNG.

Version 1.03 nightly entered beta December 10, 2023.
- Repositioned two of the three Giant Snakes in Phrygia to reduce the incidence of softlocking scenarios from inferior seed-RNG.
- Disabled the fireballs of one of the Giant Snakes to avoid compounding an existing graphical gltich from the base game.

Version 1.02 nightly entered beta December 10, 2023.
- Redesigned the Harp warp-destinations to reduce the incidence of softlocking scenarios from inferior seed-RNG.
- Specifically, the warp destinations now form a loop among Phthia, Laconia, and Argolis. Arcadia and Attica have been removed as destinations.

Version 1.01 nightly entered beta December 10, 2023.
- Fixed a bug causing the item of one of the NPCs to not be randomized (Phrygian ambrosia NPC).

Version 1.00 stable created Decemnber 2-8, 2023 and submitted on December 8, 2023 for release.
- Items given by NPCs are randomized.
- Items dropped by enemies are not currently randomized. A partial implementation has been made and is being researched further.
- Items dropped by scenery are not currently randomized. A partial implementation has been made and is being researched further.
- The ability to manually enter a desired seed has replaced the ability to continue based on entering Words of God.
- When entering a manual seed, default names will be given to the hero and heroine, respectively.

- Cutscenes related to fragments of love have been disabled altogether. The reason is due to minor glitches in and after the cutscene if the cutscene is triggered in a location the game doesn't expect.
- The fire ability taught by Prometheus is not a physical item per se, so it has not been randomized.
- The checks involving the fragments of love and the key were generally left intact out of deference to the progression tied to the lore.
- One exception to this is that the check for the third fragemnt of love has been updated to look for its randomized counterpart. This was to prevent Minotaur unexpectedly respawning, given that Minotaur was not given its own defeated bitflag for some reason, unlike other bosses in the game.
- Another exception is Keleos, who is currently looking for the first Nymph's randomized item. This may be addressed in a future patch.


| License
+--------------------------------------
MIT License


| Creator
+--------------------------------------
clymax
https://twitter.com/clymax

Database match: Battle of Olympus, The (USA)
Database: No-Intro: Nintendo Entertainment System (v. 20210216-231042)
File/ROM SHA-1: 6027C3631B18C7352531E4339D7B33D12C4C4E97
File/ROM CRC32: 6B53006A