[THEME] >>> Gameroom Theme Released!!!<<<

[Krakerman]

Thanks! I know I am keeping all the fun to myself right now .

[Krakerman]

My focus right now has been MAME and Daphne since this theme is really geared toward those two systems and then tackle the other systems later. Maybe I will release it with just those 2 systems in mind and then release the other systems in add-on packs later. That will most likely get this theme out the door faster. Hmmmm yes that is what I will do!

[Draco1962]

I think that is a good idea as what you are doing is going to be a humongous undertaking (not to mention file size) in and of itself.

[Krakerman]

I might have this ready with just a few themes by Turkey Day! I might just skip the installer and put all the files and configs in there perspective folders and all you will have to do is just unzip the theme to your GameEx folder but still recommend backing up your GameEx folder so it doesn't break your other themes just in case. Everyone should do that anyways trust me I learned that lesson along time ago especially if your HD's ever go bad and they will.

I have alot of emulators setup in GameEx that won't be setup but it can be a good reference for anyone on how to setup and run them. I will be adding those in later with the update packs. Everyone will still have to go in and change all the folders to match there systems. So it will take a bit of work still to get it to work but shouldn't be that difficult. This theme doesn't use the default MAME setup either as I run 2 different versions of MAME and have them config as emulators for good reason that I don't want to really explain but trust me this theme works 100% better this way and for those having probs setting up Daphne this theme will fix that for those as it will include all the configs to get that working as long as you just config the paths to your system. I will create a Daphne folder and put the GameEx ready framefiles (only!) in that folder so you can edit each one with the path for your system. As long as you have Daphne installed correctly with all the files it will work perfectly for those new to Daphne. That is the prob I think for most on getting this to work as they don't edit each framefiles with the correct paths. When I started out I had that same issue and was frustrated trying to figure how to setup this on GameEx and gave up. This shouldn't be an issue anymore as this theme will solve that prob!

Also included will be a framework file so you can use it as a guide to create your backgrounds. It will be in .pdn format (PaintDot.Net) similar to .psd

[Krakerman]

Improved Dig Dug background.

[Krakerman]

Today I re-did Donkey Kong! and working on the rest of the DK series titles.

Also just a few more that I had to re-do .... and maybe a new one or two

[KRC]

That PacMan theme is sweet, nice work!

[Krakerman]

Thanks! Since you liked the Pac-Man game theme I finished up the Ms.Pac-Man one tonight as well. I'm on Thanksgiving vacation this week so I have alot of time this week to crank some of these out.

[KRC]

Good Stuff, this is gonna look mint in a cab, you got an ETA for this theme.

[Krakerman]

I think it looks good on my HDTV as I don't own a cabinet (as of yet, maybe someday). I was going to try and get it ready by Thanksgiving. It's not going to be a complete theme like most as there is just too much to do. However I will release add-on packs for future systems and games. Plus any theme designer can create there own game backgrounds with the framework file included with the theme. It's kinda a work in progress type of theme. It will take a life time if I wait to finish it and then release it. Plus this way anyone can release there own game packs for the community.

[KRC]

Would a GIMP user be able to contribute because I'm sure you mentioned your using paint.net .

[Krakerman]

Not sure I don't use or like GIMP myself. I can see about including 2 framework folders with the theme one in pdn and one in psd format. Both of those formats are very similar it's just that PaintDot.net has it's own format of course which is almost like Photoshop's psd. So all the layers can be saved in one file.

[KRC]

I bet it's possible to work around it using GIMP, Would it be possible to upload the template so I could give it a try and maybe come up with an example, I wouldnt mind doing a small set like Daphne, Intellivision etc..

[Krakerman]

Here you go. I included both psd and pdn formats. I have a plugin for PaintDot.net that saves to psd format.

You can change the colors of course to whatever you want as well as add anything you like it's basically just for positioning of the windows with drop shadows included. I will update the framework file for the game themes that require a bezel later at least this can get you started. Enjoy! Looking forward to see what you come up with.

UPDATE! I updated the framework file with the borders around the windows.

[KRC]

Cool, I'll give it a shot later on tonight !

[KRC]

Here's a rough first attempt at using the .psd you provided, I used GIMP.

I chose Sonic Spinball on Sega Genesis/Megadrive at random.

[Krakerman]

Wow! Yes looks good...Glad to see that it worked ok in Gimp! I take it you had no problems?

You can see you have way more freedom on how exactly you want your screens to look like with this theme. I should have this ready (knock on wood) soon! That way you guys can test out your game themes for yourself. I am really looking forward to see what everyone comes up with.

Note: You just have to make sure the square box for the video stay transparent so the videos will show thru. If you fill it in with a solid color like black the videos won't be displayed.

Every game can have it's own theme for each emulator so you can see why you might need a large HD for this theme. I have tons of HD space so it's not an issue for me but that is why I did this theme to begin with for me mainly but wanted to share it with all you guys as well. I think my dream of bringing Hyperspin'ish style themes to GameEx has come true. Wait til the day Tom adds the ability to add animations to our themes.

btw Nice job looks like you got it right! The name of each game themes will be the name of your rom filenames. Soon as I put the theme out you'll see what I mean and how it works. When you switch between games there is a brief black screen that I made a default screen for and put it in the default-default theme folder that will be displayed when switching between your games. I don't know how or if possible to make it seemless so you don't see that but it doesn't take away from the teme at all as it is only a sec that it happens that is why I made a black screen with grey menus background by default thou you will be able to make your own if you want.

[hansolo77]

I just noticed something in your Donkey Kong 3; did they replace Mario in that one? Never noticed it before.

[Krakerman]

Yes! Alot of people never really cared for DK3.

[KRC]

Here is another Test for A Nightmare On Elm Street for Nintendo NES (My Fav Film )

[Krakerman]

Very nice! ... Today I did the Zaxxon series... and maybe a few other classics

[KRC]

Looking sweet !

[Krakerman]

Glad you like em it should make your cabinet or HTPC look really nice. Here are a few more I've worked on today.

[Krakerman]

Looks like I got alot more things I need to do to clean this theme up before I release it so it will be a bit longer unfortunately (sorry!). Stay tuned however you have the framework and those aren't going to change so you can still create your backgrounds. if you stick to those everything will run ok in the theme. If anyone can come up with good selection bars for this theme let me know as the default one are just ugly. Note this theme will NOT be part of the competition either as it was meant for my personal use, but it will become a community contribution project similar to what Hyperspin's community does for that frontend as that is my long term plans for this theme currently.

[KRC]

If you want me to do a small set like colecovision etc... Just say the word, I don't mind