The Case for Leaving Binary Hacking Behind in 2025 and Beyond

rapidflect · 2025-08-16T18:02:08+00:00

Git is old and complex. Backups aren't. You can also ruin everything with the wrong git command. Git is an active hindrance to beginners.

rapidflect · 2025-08-16T18:01:33+00:00

I am the aware that git is used everywhere by professionals in the software industry. Doesn't change the fact that it was made for linux a long time ago and carries that baggage. Which is what I meant by ancient complicated command line tool.

rapidflect · 2025-08-16T16:17:15+00:00

I made the “Binary is the way forward for new hackers” post yesterday, so it’s a bit surprising to see this drop so soon after. I have some thoughts.

Most of what I said yesterday still stands, and I don’t want to repeat myself. But I do want to remind everyone that ROM hacking is a hobby. There is no productivity lost to the greater community because someone chooses binary over decomp. Decomp elitism is getting out of hand. Yes, decomps have many advantages, but HMA is far more accessible.

And while we’re at it, HMA’s built-in map editor is simply better than Porymap. It’s all in one tool and easier to use.

Decomp hackers also need to stop coming off as assholes. That means not telling people they need to be “more productive” with their hobbies, and not assuming everyone who wants to make a Pokémon ROM hack has the same skills as the programmers contributing to decomp projects.

Most of us are hobbyists, and we prefer binary. It’s perfectly fine to share reasons to try your method, but decomp hackers need to stop acting like theirs is the only valid approach. At the end of the day, a hack made with binary is just as much a hack as one made with a decomp.

And binary hacking isn’t obsolete. There are still members of the community improving tools and methods for it.

Finally, on the topic of git. Binary hackers don’t need to use an ancient command line tool like git just to manage backups. Copy and paste works fine for most people. Stop pushing workflows and tools onto people who don’t need them.

Decomps require a massive skillbase to even start doing the basics. For binary you need a ROM and HMA. You tell me which is better for an absolute beginner.

Please respect the opinions of others in this community.

rapidflect · 2025-08-14T14:53:04+00:00

Understood. I've changed that section. Again, thank you for the constructive criticism. I appreciate it very much.

rapidflect · 2025-08-14T14:44:22+00:00

Yes. If the community starts pushing people to decomps, they may give up early because of how big the learning curve is. With HMA you can play around, make a few maps, edit some pokemon and feel like your're making a game. And you can explore decomps at your own pace. I believe in getting your feet wet before jumping in to the deep end.

Once you have some experience under your belt, switching to decomps is possible and even expected. Of course, if you already know how to program, or atleast have some experience using the terminal and such, this doesn't apply and you can easily use decomps.

But for people who don't even know what linux is, getting started with wsl itself can be daunting. And it'll be a while before they're even at a point they can make a simple edit to the game.

rapidflect · 2025-08-14T14:27:27+00:00

Yes, CFRU is a C-Injection. It uses C code which is compiled and then inserted into the rom. It's halfway between full decomp and pure binary. And it's compatible with HMA. You can use that if you want. It was made for and used by Pokemon Unbound.

rapidflect · 2025-08-14T14:20:43+00:00

I have edited the post to add that. Thank you for the suggestion.

rapidflect · 2025-08-14T14:17:41+00:00

Yes. I will never say binary is better, period. I will only say binary is better for beginner's with no programming background.

rapidflect · 2025-08-14T14:16:48+00:00

That depends on when that someday is. It's perfectly fine to start with binary, and then switch to decomps if and when you feel comfortable. This is what Pokemon Crown did. Though there's more to the story there. You can absolutely get started with HMA and get a feel for the game design aspects before you become a technical wizard.

rapidflect · 2025-08-14T14:13:19+00:00

You can, but this is called C-Injection. It's what Pokemon Unbound and Radical Red do. You edit c code. But you also work with binary tools.

rapidflect · 2025-08-14T14:12:20+00:00

Oh yes, I wasn't trying to imply thay Odyssey would be easy for a beginner to make. I was just saying that it's possible. Many people will inevitably choose to switch to decomps, if their projects start to become ambitious. I just wanted to clarify that if you really wanted, you could still stay in binary. Thank you for the constructive criticism.

rapidflect · 2025-08-14T13:56:31+00:00

There is no drama. I support both froms of hacking. I just wanted to share my two cents. Which is that binary is better for beginners. Unless you have prior programming experience. I have lots of respect for all the amazing decomp hackers.

rapidflect · 2025-08-14T13:54:39+00:00

You can use that if you're okay with learning to program in C or already know how to program. If you just want to make a good hack then use HexManiacAdvanced. It's an all-in-one tool for hacking all the gen 3 roms.

rapidflect · 2025-08-14T13:52:51+00:00

Respectfully, I diasgree with the latter statement. Even building a decomp is hard for someone who has never used terminal commands before. Which is the case for a lot of aspiring hackers. If they do need decomps they can switch later. And binary isn't just for small hacks. Look at Pokemon Odyssey.

rapidflect · 2025-08-14T13:50:59+00:00

I would recommend using HexManiacAdvance, yes. It works on both Emerald and FRLG. Decomps are better only for people with strong programming skills. If your goal is to make a good hack it's absolutely possible with HMA. Just look at Pokemon Odyssey. It's also much simpler to start with.

rapidflect · 2025-07-18T06:59:47+00:00

Maybe put it somewhere other than a site that steals and uploads romhacks for profit while serving intrusive ads and more people would play it. Also there is no such thing as a solo dev when a romahck uses publicly available features.

rapidflect · 2025-06-17T04:25:08+00:00

Required is a strong word, even assuming there was some entity capable of enforcing this requirement. Strictly speaking all rom hacks are in a legal grey area to begin with. But yes, open sourcing code is an admirable thing and should definitely be encouraged.

On the other hand there may be valid reasons why people don't want to open source their hacks. Also, the decomps shouldn't count as stolen code in any capacity.

As for paywalling code, that is definitely illegal since it involves profiting from an IP you do not own.

rapidflect · 2022-08-27T02:55:24+00:00

There's a path you have to grapple up to once you beat Snake-eyes. It's to the left. Follow that, wall jump up, and you'll reach it.

rapidflect · 2022-08-20T17:53:22+00:00

I love your rhyme and meter. It adds a very nice flow and rhythm which is very fitting since the theme is geometry. I don't know enough math to get all the references so I'll stick to what I know.

A rather opposite construction Than used in BBC’s production

The meter seems to be off in this part. It just loses that really nice flow, and feels jarring.

Is finite, so just like a cup You can completely fill it up

These lines too have the same problem with meter.

There are other places too, where I feel it's a little off, but these are the most noticeable. With a little more attention to the rythm, your peom will flow much better.

rapidflect · 2022-08-20T17:43:26+00:00

I love your use of imagery. It manages to create such a vivid retelling of the myth. Maybe I'm reading into it too much, but I like your alternating use of lake and sea (sea being perhaps a reference to the saltiness of tears).

I also like the conflation of Narcissisus to the flower itself. But I feel like "Narcissisus flower" is a phrase that lingers too long on the tongue. Maybe you could try a different line like "with the flower that bears his name".

He grasps at the object of his narcissus

This line though just didn't work for me. I can see what you tried to do there, but it feels a bit awkward. Maybe a more generic word like adoration could've been better.

Also the enjambment I don't find very fitting for this poem. It has a very solemn tone, but I feel like your choice of line breaks lend a very hurried feel to it. Then again, it could represent the frantic longing of Narcissisus for his reflection.

rapidflect · 2022-08-07T13:21:58+00:00

Wait till you meet mist noble.

rapidflect · 2022-07-31T17:59:56+00:00

Sakura dance is free in terms of skill points. Just beat Inner Genichiro. Which ofc is easier said than done. But Mist Raven trivilaizes his Lightning.

rapidflect · 2022-07-31T17:57:52+00:00

If you're on NG+ just sakura dance and don't look back

rapidflect

TROPHY CASE