Hey Shawn,
Let's start with the pace calculation at the end of a completed level, since it's the simplest model. If you require a more flexible formula, one that can be used at any point in the game, I'll build one.
There are only 3 components to the overall pace value:
1. Current Score (actual)2. Future Levels (estimated)3. Future Deaths (estimated)We'll use Dean's recent WR game as our example (at the end of Level 14):
1. Current Score = 759,300The current score includes the 5,800 points gained from the 2 deaths on L8-2 (2,900) and L8-4 (2,900).
2. Future Levels = 427,840This value is calculated by taking the average score per level (points from deaths are
not included) and multiplying by the number of remaining levels.
Level 05: | | 63,800 |
Level 06: | | 64,900 |
Level 07: | | 63,500 |
Level 08: | | 60,000 |
Level 09: | | 63,900 |
Level 10: | | 54,400 |
Level 11: | | 62,400 |
Level 12: | | 59,500 |
Level 13: | | 57,500 |
Level 14: | | 61,300 |
Total Points Excluding Deaths (L05 to L14): | | 611,200 |
Number of Levels Completed (L05 to L14): | | 10 |
Number of Levels Remaining (L15 to L21): | | 7 |
So, estimated score on future levels = 7 x ( 611,200 / 10 ) = 427,840
3. Future Deaths = 5,700I use a standard value of 5,000 for the first 3 deaths, and 700 for the killscreen. There are other approaches. Mitch uses 5,000 until the first death has occurred. He then uses the points from death #1 as an estimate for the second and third deaths. After the second death, the average points from deaths #1 and #2 are used to estimate the 3rd death. I prefer to stick with the standard value, since I'm not convinced that previous deaths are a reliable predictor for future ones. You should use whatever value and/or method works best for you.
In our example, 2 deaths have already occurred. We'll use 5,000 for the 3rd death, and 700 for the 4th (on Level 22-1).
So, estimated points from future deaths = 5,000 + 700 = 5,700
Overall Pace (without rounding) = 759,300 + 427,840 + 5,700 = 1,192,840As a final step, I divide the result by 100, round to 0 decimal places, then multiply by 100 (since a valid DK score must be an even multiple of 100 points).
Overall Pace (rounded to nearest 100) = 1,192,800The rounding option is a matter of personal preference. It's another choice that's entirely up to you.