Question about how to create a skip screen / FMV hack for PS1 games

[BigBossman]

I was curious to know if a topic has already been posted on how to create a Gameshark code to skip screens or FMV's for most PS1 games. I'm mostly interested in knowing how to find these cheats using a Gameshark Pro as opposed to a computer if possible.

Thanks for any help.

[dlevere]

Cut-Scene/FMV Modifiers

Press the freeze button while a cut-scene/FMV is playing and start an
Unknown Value search. Play the same cut-scene, do an "equal-to" search.

Play a different cut-scene, search for "different-to" values. THROW OUT
ALL CODES that have value "FF"... Look for everything else, turn all codes
that are not "FF" on (some of them one at a time).

Play a cut-scene/FMV,
if you play the same cut-scene/FMV no matter where you are, turn off a
few codes, (WRITE THEM DOWN), until you get the activate codes that do not
play the same cut-scene. Eliminate those codes. Turn on one code at a time
(that you've previously written down) until the cut-scene never changes.

OK, now just play all the cut-scenes, press freeze button, write down
digits, repeat until you get all the cut-scenes... If you have been
through all cut-scenes and notice missing digits, try those missing digits
in your new GameShark code. Sometimes the game will freeze with the
missing digits, but you may find a hidden, or 'unfinished' cut-scene.

Cut-Scene / Level Modifiers - Code Generator and Memory Editor Method
by Macrox

Cut Scene Modifiers:
- Press the GS button (freeze the game) while the opening cut scene of
game is playing.
- Do an unknown search.
- Wait till next cut scene and do greater than search.
- Restart the game. Wait for opening cut scene. Do a less than search.
- Again wait until next cut scene and do greater than search.
- Wait for another new cut scene and do another greater than search.

You may have to do this for quite some time to get the possibilities down.
If you feel you are not getting anywhere try the following:

- At the opening cut scene do a known search of 0 or 1. Make an
assumption.
- Wait until the next cut scene and search for values equal to 1 or 2
depending what you choose the step before this.
- Restart game and wait for opening cut scene. Do known search for 0 or 1.
- Again wait for next cut scene and do a search for 1 or 2.

Level Modifiers and Cut Scene Modifiers:

Now for my secret. Many games are programmed where the level modifier is
addressed close to the cut scene modifier. This is how Castlevania and
Castlevania LOD level and cut scene modifiers were hacked.

- Start game and take initial unknown search on opening level.
- Either wait for interlevel or new level and take greater than search.
- Wait for next interlevel or new level and again take a greater than
search.
- Play that level awhile and take an equal to search.
- Restart the game and take less than search on opening level.
- Codes should be dropping in number of possibilities now.
- Once you get the codes possibilities down to 20 or so write them down.
- Start the memory editor and look for the codes you have on your list.

The codes you have should have values no greater than 3 or 4. Try changing
the code value in the memory editor to something smaller or larger. For
instance, if the value is 3 try changing it to 6. This should take you to
a different level. Once it works you have the level modifier and
inter-level modifier.

Now that you have the level modifier you can find the cut scene modifier
with the memory editor by inspection. Inspection means looking around by
going up and down the address screen while a cut scene is playing for that
level. Since most new levels run a cut scene this makes things easier. You
should find the cut scene modifier rather quickly. Try changing the value
after the current cut scene is done. WARNING! As I have often stated when
submitting cut scene codes: "Running cut scenes out of their natural
location or level might cause the game to freeze or do weird things like
have your character fall into empty space once the game resumes."

Source

[BigBossman]

Thanks for the info. That'll come in handy.

[dlevere]

I'll see if I can find a few more tutorials on how to skip FMV.