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-   -   4th Gen Voltorb Flip Solver (https://www.pokecommunity.com/showthread.php?t=225821)

RobotGymnast July 14th, 2010 11:24 PM

Voltorb Flip Solver
 
You know Voltorb Flip? That stupid half-chance, half-logic game in the game corner? I got bored of trying to learn some sort of strategy to play Voltorb Flip, so I decided to make a program to do it for me (plus I really wanted a Dratini). I'm now releasing my in-progress versions, as I continue working. The solver takes a board you give it, and recommends the best moves for you to take.

Interface
It's pretty much all explained in the program.
Basically, you enter all the numbers at the ends of the rows/columns, and then input the moves you make (along with the results you got), and it will reload and recommend new ones.

Note: Just because there are a bunch of tiles with equal odds and equal payoff, it doesn't mean they're all equally good. Remember that flipping tiles helps figure out what other tiles are, so in case of ties, try to pick the tile that you think will help the computer the most.

Download
.UHA format here (which I prefer and recommend. It's free and compresses better than RAR and ZIP)
.ZIP format here
Source code here (.UHA format)

Note: The free WinUHA utility for .UHA files can be found here

Extra Info
Update history
Current work & planned updates
How the solver works
Optimization explanations
Move recommendations mechanics

If the links die, please notify me.

Leave a comment or recommendation below!
I'm looking for recommendations, but check the Present/future updates link to make sure I don't already have it down.

Aggron1991 July 15th, 2010 6:03 PM

I like this.
I know a lot of people are going to say "OMG YOU'RE CHEATING" but IMO Voltorb Flipping is nothing more than a waste of countless hours that could have been spent training or looking for better Pokemon.

RobotGymnast July 15th, 2010 6:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aggron1991 (Post 5972935)
I like this.
I know a lot of people are going to say "OMG YOU'RE CHEATING" but IMO Voltorb Flipping is nothing more than a waste of countless hours that could have been spent training or looking for better Pokemon.

Lol it's a game of chance no matter how you play it. Hacks aside, it's pretty impossible to cheat.

I've looked around, and there seem to be a few similar programs. The one I found that actually recommended the safest & best moves was in JavaScript, though, and I'm not sure if it was as accurate as mine. That being said, mine has an absolutely horrible interface, so I hope to fix that soon.

♥Sweetheart™ July 16th, 2010 1:59 PM

"OMG YOU'RE CHEATING!"
jks.
I will try this, because that game is really starting to annoy me..

RobotGymnast July 16th, 2010 7:16 PM

I'm so sorry, I messed up. Many people will get a MSVCP.DLL error. Fixing now!
Unfortunately, it still recommends spaces that are guaranteed to be 1 (which means some risk for no payoff). The main reason I haven't changed it is because even 1 tiles still help; they help it figure out where the voltorbs are. Should I change that?

Edit: Links fixed; no more MSVCP.dll error


Update: Version 2.0 is now uploaded. The links have been updated in the original post, and it's substantially easier to use (still a long way from nice, though). Tell me what you think!


Edit2: LOL I just had the board

Code:

X  X  X  X  X  2/3
3  X  3  X  3  10/1
X  X  X  X  X  3/2
X  X  X  X  X  4/1
X  X  3  X  X  7/0

7  2  8  4  5
0  3  1  1  2


The four tiles shown were the only useful tiles on the board. I gave the program the specs, and it immediately recommended those four tiles, with 0% chance of voltorbs.


Edit3: My bad again: the "new game" prompt wasn't working (it wasn't re-initializing the board for a new game. Whoops) Fixed now, links updated.

Dedemaru July 17th, 2010 7:42 AM

Wow, if I can get this to work, I'll love you! I'll be able to buy Psychic from the Game Corner Store in no time!

Rajahgold July 17th, 2010 8:30 AM

how exactly do i download this?
im rather new to this idea.

RobotGymnast July 17th, 2010 9:38 AM

There appears to be a rather severe memory leak right now. I'm fixing it, but I have no clue as to how long it will take. Sorry for the delay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rajahgold (Post 5977623)
how exactly do i download this?
im rather new to this idea.

You go to the link provided (either ZIP or UHA), and download the file as a free user.

Dedemaru July 17th, 2010 10:13 AM

It keeps crashing for me. I downloaded it before you took the links down and when I run it, I input the numbers and while it's calculating, it just crashes. Every time. I assume you're working on it though.

RobotGymnast July 17th, 2010 10:26 AM

I swear I posted a response.. stupid internet.
Anyway, yeah, I was having massive memory consumption in the thing. For me, it just kept giving me the wait message until my computer became unresponsive for minutes at a time.

I think I fixed it.. at least, I fixed that particular issue. Unfortunately, it was caused by a very simple speed optimization, so now it's slower, but functional. I'll keep trying to figure it out.

Dedemaru July 17th, 2010 10:42 AM

Do I have to redownload it to get this update, or can I just start it up again and it'll be fixed?

I just used it. What exactly does it do? I didn't really find it helpful, I'm sorry.

RobotGymnast July 17th, 2010 10:56 AM

Redownload.

It finds every possible solution of the board and picks the least dangerous tiles (if there's multiple equally safe ones, it picks the ones with highest probably payoff). It then shows you those tiles. You move, tell it your move (and result), and it recalculates to get the new safest tiles.

Update: Alright, 2.2 is up now. If you don't care, it's not a major edit, just a couple minor text changes and it's a little faster (I found out what was causing the bug in 2.0, so now the speed tweak works).

Eurydice July 17th, 2010 12:02 PM

it keeps crashing do you have any suggestions to stop that?

RobotGymnast July 17th, 2010 12:03 PM

Which version did you get? 2.2 seems to be working rather well.

If you have the latest, then could you give me some more information? Where does it crash? Are you 32-bit or 64-bit? What operating system are you using? Are you getting error messages?

Eurydice July 17th, 2010 2:00 PM

sorry i didnt include more info.
i just downloaded the newest version from the second link you have on the first post.
after i enter all the info about the board i get to about the 3rd or 4th place and it just closes itself out. the only thing it says is calculating moves (could take a minute) and then it just goes away. i have tried it several times and it does the same thing.
i am using the 32-bit
and i have windows vista.
hope this helps ^_^

RobotGymnast July 17th, 2010 2:16 PM

well there's a new version up now. 2.2 had a minor issue with using more memory than it really needed, so it slowed down considerably and may have caused crashing. I've pretty thoroughly tested the 64-bit version of 2.3, but I'll try out the 32-bit version and report back.

Results: Alright I tested the 32-bit version in compatibility mode on my 64-bit Windows 7, and I completed levels 1 & 2 with no problems (7 moves and 12-15 moves).

Try the new version, which is working fine for me in both 32-bit and 64-bit mode. I think it's prone to closing if bad data is entered. Is anybody else having this issue?

Eurydice July 17th, 2010 2:19 PM

ok i will try the new one and let you know if it fixed the problem ^_^

RobotGymnast July 17th, 2010 2:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eurydice (Post 5978437)
ok i will try the new one and let you know if it fixed the problem ^_^

Alright, thanks for the feedback

Eurydice July 17th, 2010 2:25 PM

yay! so far i got passed the first level and its working awesome. ^_^
i will let you know if i run into any more problems. but you are now my hero because i could never figure out the stupid game ^_^
let me know when new versions are out please ^_^

RobotGymnast July 17th, 2010 2:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eurydice (Post 5978452)
yay! so far i got passed the first level and its working awesome. ^_^
i will let you know if i run into any more problems. but you are now my hero because i could never figure out the stupid game ^_^


Glad to help; I was too lazy to learn the "strategy" on GameFaqs, and the computer does it better than I do, anyway =P

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eurydice (Post 5978452)
...
let me know when new versions are out please ^_^

I would make it auto-update, but then I'd have to find a central server to host update data. For now, I'll continue posting back here when new versions are available.

Eurydice July 17th, 2010 2:34 PM

[FONT="Microsoft Sans Serif"][COLOR="Magenta"]
Quote:

Originally Posted by RobotGymnast (Post 5978459)

Glad to help; I was too lazy to learn the "strategy" on GameFaqs, and the computer does it better than I do, anyway =P



i know its confusing. *rates thread 5* ^_^
edit: i got up to level 5 with no problems so far ^_^

solastalgia July 17th, 2010 3:30 PM

You are a saint, thank you so much. :)

Panfisha July 17th, 2010 4:04 PM

Oh wow, I actually UNDERSTAND voltorb flip now!
500 coins so far..


NOOOOO!!!!
On level 6, the first choice had a 0.8% chance to be voltorb, AND IT WAS!

RobotGymnast July 17th, 2010 6:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solastalgia (Post 5978660)
You are a saint, thank you so much. :)

You're very welcome!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panfisha (Post 5978779)
Oh wow, I actually UNDERSTAND voltorb flip now!
500 coins so far..

NOOOOO!!!!
On level 6, the first choice had a 0.8% chance to be voltorb, AND IT WAS!

I've had that happen, although not quit with that low a chance. Sucks, don't it?


Anyway, version 2.4 is up! Mainly a speedfix for moves (it takes a lot less time to calculate after a move now). It's a little hard to test, though, so make sure it still works before replacing your old ones!

Update: Whoops, small bug. Fixed now (I think). New 2.4 up. If you're downloading after 11:30 EST on 17/07/2010, you're fine.

jackjt8 July 18th, 2010 3:19 AM

omg, at last there is one of these........
oh and some help, if its got 9/1 and 8/2 or something high for the first number.... go for it!


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