Stalemate Redux

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Stalemate Redux is a 2.0/2.1 Extreme Demon collaboration level created by GdTheTactiq and TheFrozenTide, published by GdTheTactiq, and verified by Zephal. As its name suggests, it is a super-buffed remake of the infamous Insane Demon, Stalemate.

History

The first trace of Stalemate Redux can be found in Update 2.0, when GdTheTactiq uploaded the full layout of Stalemate Redux, showing the gameplay for his part on his YouTube channel. At that time, Stalemate Redux had not officially begun the decorations. Eventually, Tactiq started to work on Stalemate Redux during Update 2.1 and released previews of the level, showcasing the color themes and decorations.

The first preview, released on 11 March 2017, mainly showcased the color themes and was more of a layout, as it was barely decorated. In the second preview, Tactiq showed the level somewhat decorated with the original Stalemate colors. In the third preview, Tactiq showed off more of the decorated parts, indicating he was getting closer to finishing creating his part. In the fourth preview, Tactiq indicated that the drop was finished, and he would host either a mega-collaboration or a creator contest to fill in the rest of Stalemate Redux.

Eventually, Tactiq decided on a creator contest, using similar rules as the Yatagarasu creator contest hosted by Viprin. After almost a month, Tactiq decided to choose TheFrozenTide's part that started from 76-100%. Another month later, Tactiq had finished adding TheFrozenTide's part and decorating his own part.

Now the level was ready for a verifier. Tactiq chose Zephal, a good friend of his and a skilled Geometry Dash player who had recently beaten Allegiance and other levels that were Top 100 Demons at the time. Zephal started making progress quickly, completing a run of 54-100% right away. Zephal then got a record of 56% just two days after the 54-100% run that was making quick progress seeing as Stalemate Redux was more difficult than even SubSonic or Sakupen Hell. Zephal then got even closer, achieving a record of 62% and a run of 30-100%, an astonishing achievement in such a short time. Afterward, Zephal got a record of 78% as his furthest fail.

About a month later, Zephal verified Stalemate Redux after 17,304 attempts, but he did not get the coin. Zephal then decided to remove that coin and noclip the level because he did not make any changes other than removing the coin. Stalemate Redux was rated a little while after it was uploaded, and several players beat it afterward, including Sunix Wooshi, and DiamondSplash.

Gameplay

• 0-34% (GdTheTactiq): GdTheTactiq's part starts with a ship sequence that features narrow spaces, tricky gravity changes, and size changes that require a lot of precision. The player then enters a wave section with very narrow paths and sudden gravity- and size changes with a small memory area, just like the original Stalemate. Then, it ends with a cube dual possessing two triple-spikes, where a tab of Chess and the text "There Is No Escape" can also be seen.
• 34-75% (GdTheTactiq): The drop begins with a triple-speed mini-UFO segment that consists closed roads with fair jumps, many difficult and precise timings, sudden gravity changes with orbs and portals, and variations in size. The player then continues to a mini-ship section containing straight-flying, orbs, sudden changes of gravity, and size changes.
• 75-100% (TheFrozenTide): TheFrozenTide's part starts with a single-speed ball section where the player must have a lot of memory. The section has many gravity- and size portals, fake paths with orbs, and distracting color-changing flashes. The player then transitions into a mini-ship dual, featuring inconsistent straight-flying. Then, there are a few gravity variations of multiple orbs and portals, culminating with a section featuring custom triggers that the player must hit while constantly changing gravity. Finally, the level ends with a short straight-flying section to finish with the appearance of the text "Stalemate Redux".

Trivia

• The password for the level is 115911.
• The level contains 41,864 objects.
• The level is 1m 23s in length.
• The level was initially placed at #1 on the Demonlist on 22 September 2017, above Erebus (#2).
  • This addition, along with Cadrega City, pushed AcropoliX and The Ultimate Phase into the Legacy List at the same time.
  • It was originally #1 on the Demonlist because Zephal said it was harder than Yatagarasu.
• While verifying the level, Zephal completed the level but missed the only coin; therefore, it made the run invalid for uploading (worth mentioning the coin was free). He had no interest in completing the level once again, so he removed the coin and noclipped the level to verify and upload the level.
  • A similar thing happened to Dorami three years later. In 2020, he beat Yatagarasu without realizing he was in Practice Mode. Luqualizer said that his completion was legitimate, as Dorami asked him about it. Dorami later rebeat the level in Normal Mode using noclip.
• In Chess, Stalemate means a position counting as a draw, in which a player is not in check but cannot move except into check.
  • This also references Stalemate's own title.
• Biohazard inspires its gameplay although it was easier than Stalemate Redux.
• Stalemate Redux is the 26th former Top 1 in the game's history.
• The placement of memories on 27 November 2022 pushed Stalemate Redux into the Legacy List of the Demonlist.
  • This makes it the first former Top 1 level released in 2.1 to be pushed into the Legacy List.

Video

File:Stalemate Redux - Full level -ExtremeDemon- Read desc!

A full walkthrough of Stalemate Redux. Note that this footage uses noclip hacks. Credits to GdTheTactiq.