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The '''Frankenstein Glitch''' is a [[glitch]] in [[Chip's Challenge]] with two variations, one which had been in both MS and [[Tile World]] from the start, and one which was programmed. It is an unusual behaviour which allows [[tank]]s on [[clone machine]]s to switch direction. The glitch does not exist in [[Lynx]] or in [[Chip's Challenge 2]].
{{MSonly}}


== Background ==
The '''Frankenstein Glitch''' is a [[glitch]] exclusive the [[MS ruleset]] of [[Chip's Challenge]], which allows [[tank]]s on [[clone machine]]s to reverse direction. It is not required to solve any official levels or even to get any [[bold time]]s, but it has been used in a few custom levels.<ref name="ode">[[David Stolp|Stolp, David]]. [http://davidstolp.com/old/chips/level.php?set=pi&level=17 ''ode to a cloned tank, pointed the wrong way'']. ''davidstolp.com''. Archived from [https://web.archive.org/web/20050113015450/http://www.ecst.csuchico.edu/~pieguy/chips/pi/overall.cgi the original] on 2 July 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2019.</ref>
The [[blue button]] normally switches ''all'' tanks in the level, including those that are on top of a [[trap]], ''with the exception'' of tanks on [[clone machine]]s. As with all objects that are placed on top of clone machines, tanks on top of clone machines normally do not exhibit the properties of a regular tank. However, in special cases, even tanks on clone machines will switch direction, therefore switching the direction of all future tanks cloned from that clone machine.


== Glitch ==
== Glitch ==
The premise of this glitch is that there is a tank "waiting to clone" but that cannot because the square is blocked. Under normal conditions, if the square is blocked, the tank will not even attempt to clone in the first place when the [[red button]] is hit. However, there are two special cases where a tank can reverse.
The [[Clone machine|cloning]] of monsters is handled by the game in several steps. When the [[clone button]] is pressed, if the tile in front of the clone machine is open, the stationary monster on top of the clone machine is added at the end of the [[monster list]]. The monster would then move off the clone machine, and a stationary replacement would then be generated in its place. If the clone machine is blocked when the button is pressed, the monster is never added to the monster list.


Because of programming that also causes the [[Multiple Tank Glitch]], <!---Conjecture only. Why does this happen?---> a tank will actually clone and enter the [[monster list]], but not move, when there is another tank that is blocking this exact square and pointed in the same direction as the tank on the clone machine. When a [[blue button]] is hit, it will reverse the direction of this ghost tank. Because it is on the same square as the stationary tank, Chip's Challenge reads that as the tank to be reversed and will turn it around; if the square in this new direction is open, the enqueued tank will spit out in that direction. (As it appears that the tank "revives" when reversed, the glitch is named after Frankenstein.) This is known as the ''compass variation'' of the glitch, since an identically pointed tank is required to trigger it, and was programmed into Tile World version 1.3.
However, since the newly-cloned monster is last in the monster list, it is possible for the clone machine to have become blocked when it is time for the newly cloned monster to move. This results in the monster remaining on top of the clone machine; however, should the tile in front of the clone machine ever become open again, the monster will be able to move off the clone machine, and the cloning process is completed. This phenomenon is a possible relative of the [[Concussion Rule]], with clone machines instead of [[trap]]s.


A simpler variation, known as the ''magnet variation'', can be found in earlier Tile World versions and discovered initially in [[Monster Lab]]. When an [[object]] hits a red button that clones a tank on the same turn that another object, behind the first in the [[monster list]], hits a blue button, the tank has been cloned and physically exists by the time the blue button is hit, and it will reverse direction, pulling the tank on the clone machine with it like a magnet. This occurs because cloned [[monster]]s wait [1] before they can be seen; in comparison, [[block]]s spit out on the same [[turn]] they are cloned. <!---In the 226 solution, I also see an enqueued tank come out of a flipped clone machine after the tank flips and faces towards a wall. Why does it flip the second time?--->
[[Tank button]]s affect all tanks on the monster list, including tanks produced under the circumstances described above. Therefore, when the tank button is pressed, the tank on top of the clone machine would turn 180° like any other tank would. If the clone machine is open on the other side, the tank will then exit, and the replacement monster is created facing the same direction as the one that just exited. If the clone machine is blocked in the other direction too, the tank will still flip, but will remain on top of the clone machine.


While the glitch could theoretically apply to other [[monster]]s, none of them can be controlled mechanically, and can only reverse as a result of their own conscious movement.
Early versions of [[Tile World]] did not emulate the glitch correctly, but versions 1.3 and above have patched the glitch in.
 
== Use ==
The Frankenstein Glitch is not required to solve any official levels, but it can still be observed in a few levels such as [[Monster Lab]]. In other levels, such as [[Catacombs]], it is possible to produce living tanks on top of clone machines, but the absence of tank buttons prevents them from ever being freed. There are also several custom levels that require the glitch to be solved, notably [[David Stolp]]'s level ''ode to a cloned tank, pointed the wrong way''.<ref name="ode" />


== Example ==
== Example ==
[[File:FrankensteinDemo.png]]


The following cutout from [[David Stolp]]'s ''table of contents'' shows a situation requiring the use of the compass variation to solve the level:
In the example above, the [[pink ball]] is moving down and will press all three buttons. It will first press the [[clone button]]; since the clone machine is open, the tank on top of it will be added to the [[monster list]]. The pink ball will then press the [[toggle button]], blocking the clone machine. It should now be the tank's turn to move, but it is unable to. However, the pink ball then presses the tank button, which causes the tank to rotate 180° and point upwards. Because the clone machine is open in this direction, the tank is able to move off and a new immobile tank can be created in its place; the tank was moving north when it left the clone machine, and therefore the tank on the clone machine will now point north.
 
[[File:Frankenstein.png]]


The [[dirt]] contains a southeast [[thin wall]]. To proceed, Chip must find some way to detonate the [[bomb]] at [2, 1]. The [[fireball]]s cannot touch it, as they are pointed north. To apply this in the shown situation, move R (DR, D) and 2U L.
If the tank button had been replaced with another toggle button, the tank would have continued down instead.


== Appearance in play ==
==See also==
* [[Tank Top Glitch]]
* [[Multiple Tank Glitch]]


As the applicable situations for this glitch are strict, and older emulations of Tile World do not recognize the compass variation, it is rarely seen. Although the magnet variation was used even in the original [[Lynx]] emulation of CC, the compass variation was introduced to the public officially when David made ''table of contents'', and also a second level named ''ode to a cloned tank, pointed the wrong way'', hinting at the content of the solution.
==References==
<references />


[[Category:Glitches]]
[[Category:Glitches]]

Latest revision as of 05:34, 6 May 2021

Chip S.png This page describes a mechanic specific to the 1992 Microsoft port of Chip's Challenge (and anything that emulates it). It may not exist in any other Chip's Challenge game.

The Frankenstein Glitch is a glitch exclusive the MS ruleset of Chip's Challenge, which allows tanks on clone machines to reverse direction. It is not required to solve any official levels or even to get any bold times, but it has been used in a few custom levels.[1]

Glitch[edit]

The cloning of monsters is handled by the game in several steps. When the clone button is pressed, if the tile in front of the clone machine is open, the stationary monster on top of the clone machine is added at the end of the monster list. The monster would then move off the clone machine, and a stationary replacement would then be generated in its place. If the clone machine is blocked when the button is pressed, the monster is never added to the monster list.

However, since the newly-cloned monster is last in the monster list, it is possible for the clone machine to have become blocked when it is time for the newly cloned monster to move. This results in the monster remaining on top of the clone machine; however, should the tile in front of the clone machine ever become open again, the monster will be able to move off the clone machine, and the cloning process is completed. This phenomenon is a possible relative of the Concussion Rule, with clone machines instead of traps.

Tank buttons affect all tanks on the monster list, including tanks produced under the circumstances described above. Therefore, when the tank button is pressed, the tank on top of the clone machine would turn 180° like any other tank would. If the clone machine is open on the other side, the tank will then exit, and the replacement monster is created facing the same direction as the one that just exited. If the clone machine is blocked in the other direction too, the tank will still flip, but will remain on top of the clone machine.

Early versions of Tile World did not emulate the glitch correctly, but versions 1.3 and above have patched the glitch in.

Use[edit]

The Frankenstein Glitch is not required to solve any official levels, but it can still be observed in a few levels such as Monster Lab. In other levels, such as Catacombs, it is possible to produce living tanks on top of clone machines, but the absence of tank buttons prevents them from ever being freed. There are also several custom levels that require the glitch to be solved, notably David Stolp's level ode to a cloned tank, pointed the wrong way.[1]

Example[edit]

FrankensteinDemo.png

In the example above, the pink ball is moving down and will press all three buttons. It will first press the clone button; since the clone machine is open, the tank on top of it will be added to the monster list. The pink ball will then press the toggle button, blocking the clone machine. It should now be the tank's turn to move, but it is unable to. However, the pink ball then presses the tank button, which causes the tank to rotate 180° and point upwards. Because the clone machine is open in this direction, the tank is able to move off and a new immobile tank can be created in its place; the tank was moving north when it left the clone machine, and therefore the tank on the clone machine will now point north.

If the tank button had been replaced with another toggle button, the tank would have continued down instead.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Stolp, David. ode to a cloned tank, pointed the wrong way. davidstolp.com. Archived from the original on 2 July 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
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