Hello PC runners!

We are pleased to introduce a new tool for PC runs intended to better solve the issue of fairness between runners with regards to hardware differences as well as greatly simplify the process of running.

***Download, Install, and Usage guide:

The tool is called SpeedSquare, created by Mav, and can be downloaded here: https://github.com/maciej-trebacz/ff7-speed-square/releases/

To install, extract the ZIP file and move its contents (all files and folders) into the game directory such that SpeedSquare.exe is in the same folder as ff7_en.exe. Then, run SpeedSquare.exe, click "Install" and select this same directory. You'll know it worked if AF3DN.P has been embiggened to ~28MB and the previous 192KB AF3DN.P file has been renamed AF3DN.P.bak.

From this point on, keep this SpeedSquare.exe window up with the appropriate RNG mode selected (see Rules Changes section below) as you boot the game and while running. You'll know it's active and working if yellow confirmation text of such is displayed on the New Game/CONTINUE? main menu and the "Steam version x.x.x" text is NOT present.

***Feature Outline:

First and foremost, SpeedSquare solves the issue of inconsistent frame rates between PCs. Field and WM FPS should run at a rock solid 30.00 fps, Menus at 60.00, and FMVs/Battles at 15.00 with minimal variation. This ensures steady performance and consistency between runners.

Secondly, SpeedSquare replaces the System Clock as the game's RNG seed generator. This means if you are running SCM, you may now enter your RNG seed into SpeedSquare's text field with "Inject Battle RNG Seed" - "Set seed:" selected instead of changing your system clock. If you are not running SCM, selecting "Inject Battle RNG Seed" - "Random seed" will randomly generate your seed independent of the system clock.

Lastly, SpeedSquare utilizes FFNx to support multiple rendering backends for troubleshooting. Open "FFNx.toml" and adjust the "renderer_backend" parameter to change this setting from Auto if you think you need to change this.

***Rules Changes:

• As of now, runs submitted using the latest version of SpeedSquare will be accepted.

• Runs using SpeedSquare DO NOT REQUIRE FPS DISPLAYED. You may choose to continue displaying the FPS, and runs found to be running the game at an irregularly high FPS will still be rejected, however this is a non-issue with SpeedSquare and so the DXtory requirement is being removed.

• "No SCM" runs will now require the options "Inject Battle RNG Seed" - "Random seed" be set.

• "SCM" runs now require either "Inject Battle RNG Seed" - "Set seed" or "Random seed" to be set.

• "SCM" runs NO LONGER REQUIRE SCM times to be submitted in the run notes as long as SpeedSquare's seed indication on the main menu is legible in the submission video.

• Runs using FPSFIX will not be accepted after Dec 31, 2024 and still require DXtory showing FPS.

***Conclusion:

Thank you for reading, and I hope this news finds you well. For additional support, refer to the #speedsquare channel in the Discord.

-Dash