# TAUS, et al

[Source Repository](https://github.com/ejona86/taus)

## How to run

Pre-built IPS mod files are available in the
[releases section of GitHub](https://github.com/ejona86/taus/releases). They
must be applied to the USA Tetris ROM:

```
Database match: Tetris (USA)
Database: No-Intro: Nintendo Entertainment System (v. 20180803-121122)
File SHA-1: 77747840541BFC62A28A5957692A98C550BD6B2B
File CRC32: 6D72C53A
ROM SHA-1: FD9079CB5E8479EB06D93C2AE5175BFCE871746A
ROM CRC32: 1394F57E
```

Or the Europe Tetris ROM:

```
Database match: Tetris (Europe)
Database: No-Intro: Nintendo Entertainment System (v. 20180803-121122)
File SHA-1: 817169B819AADAAE52CCE6B3D8D2FC24270566D7
File CRC32: 8319B091
ROM SHA-1: 66883B9EDDEC933E36B6BFF0479CEFD2434FFB40
ROM CRC32: FDFF80D5
```

You can use [Hasher-js](https://www.romhacking.net/hash/) or [ROM
Hasher](https://www.romhacking.net/utilities/1002/) to verify your ROM matches.
It is generally okay if the "ROM" checksum matches, but the "File" checksum
differs. But note that `make test` will fail.

## TAUS

TAUS provides the in-game statistics:
 * DHT: The drought. The number of pieces since the last line
 * BRN: The burn. The number of lines cleared since the last tetris
 * EFF: The efficiency. The score per lines ignoring the level multiplier.
   Individual clears have score per lines of: 40 for a single, 50 for a double,
   100 for a triple, 300 for a tetris
 * TRT: The tetris rate. The percentage of lines cleared that were tetrises
 * TRNS: The transition score. The score achieved when leaving the starting
   level

TAUS provides the post-game statistics:
 * EFF LOG: A chart for the EFF progression through the game with each bar
   cooresponding to the EFF of 10 lines cleared. The EFF presented is not the
   cumulative EFF to that point, but the EFF of the 10 lines in isolation.
   It tracks each line clear separately, so if you have cleared 8 lines and
   then clear a tetris that is considered two lines followed by two more lines

The mod also allows skipping the legal screen.

EFF is similar in purpose to the conventional TRT. Both assume you die because
you reach too high of a level (e.g., level 29) and both let you know for "how
well are you doing" in the middle of the game. But EFF is a strong predictor
of your final score. For example, let's say you start on level 9 and
die after 100 lines. If you alternate between tetrises and sets of three
singles, your final score will be ~188k. But if you alternate between tetrises
and triples, your final score will be ~214k. TRT for each will be 57%, but your
EFF was 188 and 214 agreeing with the 14% better score on the second game. If
your EFF increases by 10%, then your score increases ~10% for the same number
of lines.