You don't want to be too good at RBI...

[Dryden]

Inspired by a comment from Nightwulf a week or so ago...

After some extensive testing, it has been confirmed that the score does rollover at 256 runs (that is, the 256th run will set the total runs back to 0).  Interestingly, if you do this in 1 inning, the inning will still show a "6" for runs, although the total for the game will be 0.

This has no practical value whatsoever, but thought people might be vaguely interested.

[BDawk]

I wonder why 256? What does it all mean?
This gives me the fear.

[ultimate7]

It has very practical value, say you give up a 10 run lead to your opponent, just keep letting them score until they have 256 runs.

[Dryden]

(Vaguely) technical reason why 256 is the magic number

Since most values in RBI (and most other programs) are stored in hexadecimal (base 16), the maximum number of values that can be stored in a 2 byte field = 16x16 = 256.  These 256 choices cover the range from 0-255, after which the value resets.

I'n not sure if this makes it any clearer, but if this doesn't make any sense, I'm not sure I can explain it any more simply than that.  Or, as my probability professor used to say, "If you can't see it, I can't explain it to you".

[BDawk]

Computer stuff---ok, that's all you had to say. Computer stuff.

[fknmclane]

"If you can't see it, I can't explain it to you".

Sounds like one helluva professor.

[Dryden]

Sounds like one helluva professor.

Actually, he was.  He's very arguably one of the top 2 or 3 probability guys of the last 50 years.  And he had a decent point - sometimes, when you explain a concept so much, there isn't anything left to show.  You can explain to people the rational basis behind evolution from now till next year, but at some point, if you don't see it, then it just can't be explained any further.

He also used to toss candy bars to people who made exceptionally insightful comments in class.  Just an all-around great guy.

[Gantry]

Since most values in RBI (and most other programs) are stored in hexadecimal (base 16), the maximum number of values that can be stored in a 2 byte field = 16x16 = 256.  These 256 choices cover the range from 0-255, after which the value resets.

Quick correction - 256 choices is a one-byte field, 2^8th

Like Dryden said, a lot of fields in RBI and other NES games have a max of 256 (or 0-255) - after that they go back to zero..

[fknmclane]

And he had a decent point - sometimes, when you explain a concept so much, there isn't anything left to show.  

He also used to toss candy bars to people who made exceptionally insightful comments in class.  Just an all-around great guy.

You're totally right.  Kinda like trying to explain to someone why RBI is the world's greatest video game.  I can talk til I'm blue in the face but if they can't figure it out, I'll shove a candy bar up their ass.

[Jawls]

"helluva"?

[fknmclane]

"helluva"?

Indeed