Sonic Adventure Autodemo/Restoration - Revision history

PkR at 04:51, 2 March 2026

2026-03-02T04:51:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:51, 2 March 2026
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	''This page is dedicated to projects that restore content and functionality in the Autodemo prototype of Sonic Adventure (Dreamcast). For Sonic Adventure PX (PC) mods that implement Autodemo features, see [[SADX Autodemo Mods\|this page]] instead.''		''This page is dedicated to projects that restore content and functionality in the Autodemo prototype of Sonic Adventure (Dreamcast). For Sonic Adventure DX (PC) mods that implement Autodemo features, see [[SADX Autodemo Mods\|this page]] instead.''

	When the [[Sonic Adventure Autodemo]] was first dumped in 2013, it was soon discovered that it was a semi-functional build of the full game. The Autodemo was quickly hacked to unlock player controls and load stages manually so that they could be explored freely. However, many stages did not load because the binaries containing them were originally compiled for an older version of the game's main executable.		When the [[Sonic Adventure Autodemo]] was first dumped in 2013, it was soon discovered that it was a semi-functional build of the full game. The Autodemo was quickly hacked to unlock player controls and load stages manually so that they could be explored freely. However, many stages did not load because the binaries containing them were originally compiled for an older version of the game's main executable.

PkR at 03:46, 2 March 2026

2026-03-02T03:46:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:46, 2 March 2026
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	=== Stage Select ===		=== Stage Select ===
	The Stage Select screen is similar to the final version. ''woofmute'' and ''PkR'' found out that the texture error at the bottom right was caused by the game trying to load character pictures, which were added back afterwards.		The Stage Select screen is similar to the final version. ''woofmute'' and ''PkR'' found out that the texture error at the bottom right was caused by the game trying to load character pictures, which were added back afterwards.<gallery mode="nolines">
			File:Sonic Adventure Autodemo Restoration 1772422970977.png\|Autodemo Stage Select with the texture error (''MainJP'')
	[[File:Sonic Adventure Autodemo Restoration 1772422970977.png~~\|left~~\|Autodemo Stage Select with the texture error (''MainJP'')]]		File:Sonic Adventure Autodemo Restoration 1772422993825.png\|Autodemo Stage Select with character pictures (''woofmute'')
	[[File:Sonic Adventure Autodemo Restoration 1772422993825.png~~\|right~~\|Autodemo Stage Select with character pictures (''woofmute'')]]		</gallery>

	=== Debug Functionality ===		=== Debug Functionality ===

PkR at 03:45, 2 March 2026

2026-03-02T03:45:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:45, 2 March 2026
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	''This page is dedicated to projects that restore content and functionality in the Autodemo prototype of Sonic Adventure (Dreamcast). For Sonic Adventure PX (PC) mods that implement Autodemo features, see [[SADX Autodemo Mods\|this page]] instead.''		''This page is dedicated to projects that restore content and functionality in the Autodemo prototype of Sonic Adventure (Dreamcast). For Sonic Adventure PX (PC) mods that implement Autodemo features, see [[SADX Autodemo Mods\|this page]] instead.''

	When the Sonic Adventure Autodemo was first dumped in 2013, it was soon discovered that it was a semi-functional build of the full game. The Autodemo was quickly hacked to unlock player controls and load stages manually so that they could be explored freely. However, many stages did not load because the binaries containing them were originally compiled for an older version of the game's main executable.		When the [[Sonic Adventure Autodemo]] was first dumped in 2013, it was soon discovered that it was a semi-functional build of the full game. The Autodemo was quickly hacked to unlock player controls and load stages manually so that they could be explored freely. However, many stages did not load because the binaries containing them were originally compiled for an older version of the game's main executable.

	The Autodemo has been researched ever since it was dumped, and the non-functional stages were eventually extracted using [[SA Tools]] and ported to the PC version. However, being able to play them in the Autodemo itself was desirable in order to see differences in the game's code, which couldn't be exported by the tools.		The Autodemo has been researched ever since it was dumped, and the non-functional stages were eventually extracted using [[SA Tools]] and ported to the PC version. However, being able to play them in the Autodemo itself was desirable in order to see differences in the game's code, which couldn't be exported by the tools.

	Initial work on restoring Autodemo functionality ingame was done back in 2015, when the user ''evilhamwizard'' posted their findings in the [https://forums.sonicretro.org/posts/846056/ Autodemo discussion thread on Sonic Retro]. The work focused primarily on restoring the original Windy Valley, and a number of GIFs of the level running on the emulator [https://forums.sonicretro.org/posts/867245/ were posted in 2016]. Some updates were posted on booting Sky Deck as well.		Initial work on restoring Autodemo functionality ingame was done back in 2015, when the user ''evilhamwizard'' posted their findings in the [https://forums.sonicretro.org/posts/846056/ Autodemo discussion thread on Sonic Retro]. The work focused primarily on restoring the original Windy Valley, and a number of GIFs of the level running on the emulator [https://forums.sonicretro.org/posts/867245/ were posted in 2016]. Some updates were posted on [https://forums.sonicretro.org/posts/937406/ booting Sky Deck] as well.

	In 2024, based on ''evilhamwizard''<nowiki/>'s initial research, a new restoration project was started by [[x-hax]] (primarily by ''Speeps''), aiming to make other stages bootable, as well as improving the original Windy Valley restoration. This ~~restoration was achieved in 2024 through~~ a collaboration of x-hax users ~~and~~ symbol information acquired from the leaked Xbox 360 SADX prototype. The project is [https://github.com/X-Hax/dreamcast-mods available as a GitHub repository].		In 2024, based on ''evilhamwizard''<nowiki/>'s initial research, a new restoration project was started by [[x-hax]] (primarily by ''Speeps''), aiming to make other stages bootable, as well as improving the original Windy Valley restoration. This project is a collaboration between x-hax users, using symbol information acquired from the leaked Xbox 360 SADX prototype. The project is [https://github.com/X-Hax/dreamcast-mods available as a GitHub repository].

	==Background and Method==		==Background and Method==
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	\|B_CHAOS7 (Perfect Chaos)		\|B_CHAOS7 (Perfect Chaos)
	\|}		\|}
	However, as originally demonstrated by ''evilhamwizard'', it’s possible to find the functions and data they were meant to point to by comparing the pointers to known functions and data between these files and the files that boot. In 2024, ''Speeps'' started putting together a new spreadsheet of known broken pointers and their correct counterparts. As the pointer list grew, more levels became functional when known pointers were replaced.		However, as originally demonstrated by ''evilhamwizard'', it’s possible to find the functions and data they were meant to point to by comparing the pointers to known functions and data between these files and the files that boot. In 2024, ''Speeps'' started putting together a new [https://github.com/X-Hax/dreamcast-mods/raw/refs/heads/main/AutoDemoPointers.xlsx spreadsheet] of known broken pointers and their correct counterparts. As the pointer list grew, more levels became functional when known pointers were replaced.

	Early hacks by ''Speeps'' were using simple patches to the executables applied through a hex editor. To facilitate mass pointer replacement and game testing, ''PkR'' reworked his SA1-DC-HD tool (originally meant to build GDIs of the final version of SA1 with enhancements) and created the [[Dreamcast Image Builder]]. The image builder uses a "mods" system that makes it easier to replace pointers, do all sorts of patching of game binaries and build a modified game image containing all of the selected hacks. In addition, some other tools on the [https://github.com/X-Hax/sa_tools_research SA Tools Research] repository were repurposed to find missing textures in the Autodemo by matching the names in the Autodemo’s texture lists against textures in the final version, the E3 build, the Autodemo Windy Valley mod for the PC version, where missing textures were recreated by its developers, and Dreamcast SDKs, which surprisingly have some early SA1 textures.

	Apart from making stages bootable, the mods include various experiments with controls, framerate, lighting, skipping the intro movie, adding textures that are missing on the disc, restoring debug functionality etc.

	The exact pointer matching procedure involved in stage restoration is as follows:		The exact pointer matching procedure involved in stage restoration is as follows:
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	# For all references to broken pointers in the object, attempt to find a working reference in a functional AutoDemo stage, such as Speed Highway.		# For all references to broken pointers in the object, attempt to find a working reference in a functional AutoDemo stage, such as Speed Highway.
	# Replace the broken pointer with the working one.		# Replace the broken pointer with the working one.
	All pointers were added to a spreadsheet along with their fixed version.		All pointers were added to a [https://github.com/X-Hax/dreamcast-mods/raw/refs/heads/main/AutoDemoPointers.xlsx spreadsheet] along with their fixed version.

	For any code that didn't have a matching reference in the PC version or a functional Autodemo stage file, such as code for objects that didn't exist in the final game, the original byte difference method was used instead. Using Ghidra, the resulting pointer was checked to ensure it led to an appropriate address (The beginning of a function etc.). Any pointers "fixed" with this method were marked in the table as unsure.		For any code that didn't have a matching reference in the PC version or a functional Autodemo stage file, such as code for objects that didn't exist in the final game, the original byte difference method was used instead. Using Ghidra, the resulting pointer was checked to ensure it led to an appropriate address (The beginning of a function etc.). Any pointers "fixed" with this method were marked in the table as unsure.
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	Stages that were similar enough to their final counterparts to share a lot of code (Twinkle Park, Lost World) were repaired first to build the database of known pointers, as stages with larger changes (Windy Valley) consisted almost entirely of code that didn't exist in the final game.		Stages that were similar enough to their final counterparts to share a lot of code (Twinkle Park, Lost World) were repaired first to build the database of known pointers, as stages with larger changes (Windy Valley) consisted almost entirely of code that didn't exist in the final game.

	The restoration was primarily discussed in a series of threads on x-hax Discord. ~~An archive of the discussion will be available for download at a later date~~.		Early hacks by ''Speeps'' were using simple patches to the executables applied through a hex editor. To facilitate mass pointer replacement and game testing, ''PkR'' reworked his SA1-DC-HD tool (originally meant to build GDIs of the final version of SA1 with enhancements) and created the [[Dreamcast Image Builder]]. The image builder uses a "mods" system that makes it easier to replace pointers, do all sorts of patching of game binaries and build a modified game image containing all of the selected hacks. In addition, some other tools on the [https://github.com/X-Hax/sa_tools_research SA Tools Research] repository were repurposed to add missing textures to the Autodemo by matching the names in the Autodemo’s texture lists against textures in the final version, the E3 build, the Autodemo Windy Valley mod for the PC version (where missing textures were recreated by its developers) and Dreamcast SDKs (which surprisingly have some early SA1 textures). Apart from making stages bootable and readding textures, the mods include various experiments with controls, framerate, lighting, skipping the intro movie, restoring debug functionality etc.

			The restoration was primarily discussed in a series of threads on x-hax Discord, which have been archived below:

			[https://dcmods.unreliable.network/owncloud/data/PiKeyAr/files/SA1%20research/autodemo/threads/sa1-modding%20-%20New%20Autodemo%20research.html Thread 1: New Autodemo Research (May 10, 2024)]

			[https://dcmods.unreliable.network/owncloud/data/PiKeyAr/files/SA1%20research/autodemo/threads/sa1-modding%20-%20Autodemo%20research.html Thread 2: Autodemo Research (Private Version, May 10 - June 18, 2024)]

			[https://dcmods.unreliable.network/owncloud/data/PiKeyAr/files/SA1%20research/autodemo/threads/game-research%20-%20Sonic%20Adventure%20Autodemo.html Thread 3: Game Research: Sonic Adventure Autodemo (Public Version, June 7, 2024 - February 28, 2026)]

	== Restoration Details ==		== Restoration Details ==

			=== Twinkle Park ===
			Twinkle Park was the first stage restored by ''Speeps''.

	=== Stage Select ===		=== Stage Select ===
			The Stage Select screen is similar to the final version. ''woofmute'' and ''PkR'' found out that the texture error at the bottom right was caused by the game trying to load character pictures, which were added back afterwards.

			[[File:Sonic Adventure Autodemo Restoration 1772422970977.png\|left\|Autodemo Stage Select with the texture error (''MainJP'')]]
			[[File:Sonic Adventure Autodemo Restoration 1772422993825.png\|right\|Autodemo Stage Select with character pictures (''woofmute'')]]

	=== Debug Functionality ===		=== Debug Functionality ===
			The SET Editor was restored by ''woofmute''.

	=== Ninja Lights ===		=== Ninja Lights ===
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	=== Windy Valley ===		=== Windy Valley ===

	~~=== Twinkle Park ===~~

	=== Sky Deck ===		=== Sky Deck ===

PkR at 16:10, 1 March 2026

2026-03-01T16:10:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:10, 1 March 2026
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	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	\|+Autodemo Practice Stages		\|+Autodemo Practice Stages
	![[File:Sonic Adventure Autodemo Restoration 1772347046976.mp4\|none\|thumb\|Gamma in Practice Stage (~~shared by~~ ''Speeps'')]]		![[File:Sonic Adventure Autodemo Restoration 1772347046976.mp4\|none\|thumb\|Gamma in Practice Stage (''Speeps'')]]
	![[File:Pinball mode practice.mp4\|thumb\|Pinball mode in Practice Stage (~~shared by~~ ''MainJP'')\|none]]		![[File:Pinball mode practice.mp4\|thumb\|Pinball mode in Practice Stage (''MainJP'')\|none]]
	\|}		\|}
	<gallery mode="nolines" caption="Practice Stages with Ninja Lights (images by ''MainJP'')">		<gallery mode="nolines" caption="Practice Stages with Ninja Lights (images by ''MainJP'')">

PkR at 06:56, 1 March 2026

2026-03-01T06:56:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:56, 1 March 2026
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	''PkR'': Practice 2 did not load because one of the meshes is too big for the game's [[Sonic Adventure/Lantern Engine\|LANTERN lighting system]] to handle. However, it boots if [[Ninja Lights]] are used instead.		''PkR'': Practice 2 did not load because one of the meshes is too big for the game's [[Sonic Adventure/Lantern Engine\|LANTERN lighting system]] to handle. However, it boots if [[Ninja Lights]] are used instead.
	[[File:Sonic Adventure Autodemo Restoration 1772347046976.mp4\|none\|thumb\|Gamma in Practice Stage (shared by ''Speeps'')]]		{\| class="wikitable"
	[[File:Pinball mode practice.mp4\|thumb\|Pinball mode in Practice Stage (shared by ''MainJP'')\|none]]		\|+Autodemo Practice Stages
			![[File:Sonic Adventure Autodemo Restoration 1772347046976.mp4\|none\|thumb\|Gamma in Practice Stage (shared by ''Speeps'')]]
			![[File:Pinball mode practice.mp4\|thumb\|Pinball mode in Practice Stage (shared by ''MainJP'')\|none]]
			\|}
	<gallery mode="nolines" caption="Practice Stages with Ninja Lights (images by ''MainJP'')">		<gallery mode="nolines" caption="Practice Stages with Ninja Lights (images by ''MainJP'')">
	File:Practice.webp\|alt=		File:Practice.webp\|alt=

PkR at 06:38, 1 March 2026

2026-03-01T06:38:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:38, 1 March 2026
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	=== Practice Stages ===		=== Practice Stages ===
	It turned out Practice 1 could load by just removing its SET File (Object Layout) because it only references 1ST_READ through that.		''Speeps'': It turned out Practice 1 could load by just removing its SET File (Object Layout) because it only references 1ST_READ through that.

	Practice 2 ~~does~~ not load because one of the meshes is too big for the game's [[Sonic Adventure/Lantern Engine\|LANTERN lighting system]] to handle. However, it boots if [[~~Sonic Adventure/Ninja Lights\|~~Ninja Lights]] are used instead.		''PkR'': Practice 2 did not load because one of the meshes is too big for the game's [[Sonic Adventure/Lantern Engine\|LANTERN lighting system]] to handle. However, it boots if [[Ninja Lights]] are used instead.
			[[File:Sonic Adventure Autodemo Restoration 1772347046976.mp4\|none\|thumb\|Gamma in Practice Stage (shared by ''Speeps'')]]
	[[File:Pinball mode practice.mp4\|thumb\|Pinball mode in Practice Stage (shared by ''MainJP'')\|none]]		[[File:Pinball mode practice.mp4\|thumb\|Pinball mode in Practice Stage (shared by ''MainJP'')\|none]]
	<gallery mode="nolines" caption="Practice Stages with Ninja Lights (images by ''MainJP'')">		<gallery mode="nolines" caption="Practice Stages with Ninja Lights (images by ''MainJP'')">

PkR at 06:35, 1 March 2026

2026-03-01T06:35:07Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:35, 1 March 2026
Line 124:		Line 124:

	Practice 2 does not load because one of the meshes is too big for the game's [[Sonic Adventure/Lantern Engine\|LANTERN lighting system]] to handle. However, it boots if [[Sonic Adventure/Ninja Lights\|Ninja Lights]] are used instead.		Practice 2 does not load because one of the meshes is too big for the game's [[Sonic Adventure/Lantern Engine\|LANTERN lighting system]] to handle. However, it boots if [[Sonic Adventure/Ninja Lights\|Ninja Lights]] are used instead.
	[[File:Pinball mode practice.mp4\|thumb~~\|left~~\|Pinball mode in Practice Stage (shared by ''MainJP'')]]		[[File:Pinball mode practice.mp4\|thumb\|Pinball mode in Practice Stage (shared by ''MainJP'')\|none]]
	<gallery mode="nolines" caption="Practice Stages with Ninja Lights (images by ''MainJP'')">		<gallery mode="nolines" caption="Practice Stages with Ninja Lights (images by ''MainJP'')">
	File:Practice.webp\|alt=		File:Practice.webp\|alt=

PkR at 06:34, 1 March 2026

2026-03-01T06:34:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:34, 1 March 2026
Line 124:		Line 124:

	Practice 2 does not load because one of the meshes is too big for the game's [[Sonic Adventure/Lantern Engine\|LANTERN lighting system]] to handle. However, it boots if [[Sonic Adventure/Ninja Lights\|Ninja Lights]] are used instead.		Practice 2 does not load because one of the meshes is too big for the game's [[Sonic Adventure/Lantern Engine\|LANTERN lighting system]] to handle. However, it boots if [[Sonic Adventure/Ninja Lights\|Ninja Lights]] are used instead.
	[[File:Pinball mode practice.mp4\|thumb]]		[[File:Pinball mode practice.mp4\|thumb\|left\|Pinball mode in Practice Stage (shared by ''MainJP'')]]
	<gallery mode="nolines" caption="Practice Stages with Ninja Lights (images by ''MainJP'')">		<gallery mode="nolines" caption="Practice Stages with Ninja Lights (images by ''MainJP'')">
	File:Practice.webp\|alt=		File:Practice.webp\|alt=

PkR at 10:19, 28 February 2026

2026-02-28T10:19:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:19, 28 February 2026
Line 123:		Line 123:
	It turned out Practice 1 could load by just removing its SET File (Object Layout) because it only references 1ST_READ through that.		It turned out Practice 1 could load by just removing its SET File (Object Layout) because it only references 1ST_READ through that.

	Practice 2 does not load because one of the meshes is too big for the game's [[Sonic Adventure/Lantern Engine\|LANTERN lighting system]] to handle. However, it boots if [[Sonic Adventure/Ninja Lights\|Ninja Lights]] are used instead.<gallery mode="nolines" caption="Practice Stages with Ninja Lights (images by ''MainJP'')">		Practice 2 does not load because one of the meshes is too big for the game's [[Sonic Adventure/Lantern Engine\|LANTERN lighting system]] to handle. However, it boots if [[Sonic Adventure/Ninja Lights\|Ninja Lights]] are used instead.
			[[File:Pinball mode practice.mp4\|thumb]]
			<gallery mode="nolines" caption="Practice Stages with Ninja Lights (images by ''MainJP'')">
	File:Practice.webp\|alt=		File:Practice.webp\|alt=
	File:Sonic Adventure Autodemo Restoration 1772203956319.png		File:Sonic Adventure Autodemo Restoration 1772203956319.png

PkR at 06:57, 28 February 2026

2026-02-28T06:57:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:57, 28 February 2026
Line 123:		Line 123:
	It turned out Practice 1 could load by just removing its SET File (Object Layout) because it only references 1ST_READ through that.		It turned out Practice 1 could load by just removing its SET File (Object Layout) because it only references 1ST_READ through that.

	Practice 2 does not load because one of the meshes is too big for the game's [[Sonic Adventure/Lantern Engine\|LANTERN lighting system]] to handle. However, it boots if [[Sonic Adventure/Ninja Lights\|Ninja Lights]] are used instead.<gallery>		Practice 2 does not load because one of the meshes is too big for the game's [[Sonic Adventure/Lantern Engine\|LANTERN lighting system]] to handle. However, it boots if [[Sonic Adventure/Ninja Lights\|Ninja Lights]] are used instead.<gallery mode="nolines" caption="Practice Stages with Ninja Lights (images by ''MainJP'')">
	~~File:Practice.webp\|~~Practice Stages with Ninja Lights (images by ''MainJP'')		File:Practice.webp\|alt=
			File:Sonic Adventure Autodemo Restoration 1772203956319.png
			File:Screenshot 2024-08-30 15-59-50.webp
			File:Screenshot 2024-08-30 16-15-14.webp
	</gallery>		</gallery>

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:56, 1 March 2026
Line 124:		Line 124:

	''PkR'': Practice 2 did not load because one of the meshes is too big for the game's [[Sonic Adventure/Lantern Engine\|LANTERN lighting system]] to handle. However, it boots if [[Ninja Lights]] are used instead.		''PkR'': Practice 2 did not load because one of the meshes is too big for the game's [[Sonic Adventure/Lantern Engine\|LANTERN lighting system]] to handle. However, it boots if [[Ninja Lights]] are used instead.
	[[File:Sonic Adventure Autodemo Restoration 1772347046976.mp4\|none\|thumb\|Gamma in Practice Stage (shared by ''Speeps'')]]		{\| class="wikitable"
	[[File:Pinball mode practice.mp4\|thumb\|Pinball mode in Practice Stage (shared by ''MainJP'')\|none]]		\|+Autodemo Practice Stages
			![[File:Sonic Adventure Autodemo Restoration 1772347046976.mp4\|none\|thumb\|Gamma in Practice Stage (shared by ''Speeps'')]]
			![[File:Pinball mode practice.mp4\|thumb\|Pinball mode in Practice Stage (shared by ''MainJP'')\|none]]
			\|}
	<gallery mode="nolines" caption="Practice Stages with Ninja Lights (images by ''MainJP'')">		<gallery mode="nolines" caption="Practice Stages with Ninja Lights (images by ''MainJP'')">
	File:Practice.webp\|alt=		File:Practice.webp\|alt=