Atari ST Emulator

[myonions]

So - i'm happy - I have about 25 Emu's sorted in GameEx and all working sweeeeeeeeet!

I have two more that I intend to set up - one of which is the Atari ST.

Which is the best Emulator to configure for this as GameEx does not suggest any.

STeem ?

I already have a RomSet in .zip format however we have the same issue as with the Amiga - we have multiple ZIP files for disks. e.g:

Another World (1991)(Delphine)(Disk 1 of 2)[cr Elite].zip

Another World (1991)(Delphine)(Disk 2 of 2)[cr Elite].zip

WHDLoad sorted this for with the Amiga by loading it all into a Hard Disk. Is there such a thing for the ST??

Or, is there another method (like in WinUAE) to create a configuration file with all disks??

Any pointers would be appreciated.

[Draco1962]

Have you looked into GambaseST? I understand it uses STeem and has everything in one nice package. Also, you have the option to enable Gamebase support via GameEx. I have not set this up myself, but I know that there are quite a few that use Gamebase setups for C64, Atari 8-bit and the like through GameEx with great results.

[myonions]

Thanks - that looks like it's what i'm after.

[Draco1962]

Great! Let us know if you require any assistance or how it works out for you. The Gamebase projects are a little under discussed and documented in these parts and it is good to know if it is a worthwhile option to go that path as opposed to others.

[myonions]

OK so I got this working after quite a lot of messing about by using an app that comes with Gamebase called "GBLauncher.exe”. The command is:

GBLauncher.exe db="GBST v3.1d" fn="[ROMFILE]"

I wrote some instructions to help future users as there are a lot of steps you have to complete just to Get GamebaseST running on it's own.

Before I post anything I wouldn't mind having some idea what the option "Do you want to enable GameBase Support?" in the GameEx wizard actually does as all I have done really is set up a custom emulator that uses the GBLauncher app to launch a game using Gamebase.

I do not see how you "link" GameEx to the various Gamebase databases. Presumably adding this support enables some sort of benefit?

You can point GameEx to a Gamebase database folder but then what do you need to do in the Emulator Settings to utilise this?

Any info would be appreciated!

[nullPointer]

I’m hoping AlphaUMi will chime in with some additional information about Gamebase. He’s sort of the resident expert around here in terms of using Gamebase through GameEx. I’ll send a PM to see if he’d mind providing some additional detail.

[Draco1962]

Thanks for reporting back! If you don't mind, I would like to review your instructions for possible inclusion in our "Start to Finish" document project (wyou will be duly credited, of course).

[Bigby]

The GameBase integration is one of my favorite features of GameEx!

All you have to do is point to the path where the main GameBase folder is, and GameEx will see whatever system that you have added to GameBase.

When I add a new Gamebase, I only need to add an entry for it in the custom menu editor. Of course you have to get it working with GameBase first, but that is usually trouble free. (haven't added Atari ST yet though )

In GameEx, you will get the main list of games (you won't get the games that are under GameBase "Extras" however) plus the screenshots, covers and other artwork. (music files too!)

Oh, and I have 12 GameBase's running in GameEx and hope to get more in there soon!

[myonions]

@Draco1962 - No problem when i'm done tweaking i'll upload it and you can do whatever you wish with it. As long as it helps others I don't mind.

@Bigby - Thanks that's the missing bit of information I needed. A question for you though...what's the best way to set up the directory structure for GameBase? Just wondering where you point GameEx if you have 5 GameBase Database for Example.

Cheers

[Bigby]

I have all gamebase's in the main Gamebase folder.

So for example:

R:\Frontend\GameBase

R:\Frontend\GameBase\Acorn Electron

R:\Frontend\GameBase\Amiga Demobase

R:\Frontend\GameBase\Commodore 64

.etc

So you just set the Gamebase path in the GameEx setup wizard to - R:\Frontend\GameBase

[Draco1962]

Thanks! I may start venturing in the Gamebase direction soon. My first PC love was with the Atari 8-bit systems. I was a SysOp (System Operator for those of you born before the internet took over for modems) having owned "The Wall BBS" which grew to be one of the largest dedicated Atari 8-bit BBSs in the Southeast. Good times!

[Draco1962]

Just a gentle reminder regarding the documentation - please be sure that the docs are compliant with the forum rules, specifically with regards to how or where ROMs can be obtained (no links)! Thanks!

[Bigby]

Not to worry, my lips are sealed...

[myonions]

Just a gentle reminder regarding the documentation - please be sure that the docs are compliant with the forum rules, specifically with regards to how or where ROMs can be obtained (no links)! Thanks!

Hmm I may need to edit it a bit then before sharing

Cheers!

[myonions]

Setting Up GamebaseST v3.pdf (amended 05/08/2012)

I have included no URLs to the Games in the document - just for the GameBase website now.

Feel free to use this any way you wish if you find it useful.

I have it in Word format if you want me to mail it to you so you can amend.

I'm a new fan of GameBase!

[Bigby]

Excellent guide, especially the steem emulator part. (Never tried Atari ST emulation or an actual Atari ST )

[myonions]

To be honest i'm really an Amiga man but one of my friends had an ST and so I have some good memories from that too.

Must try Gamebase Amiga in there next. Using WHDLoad which is great too but I think the GameBase version has more "roms".

[Draco1962]

Awesome job! Thanks for the update and the install tutorial! As I said before, I would like to adapt this to the format we will be introducing for the "Start to Finish" Documentation Project. I may need to perform some edits but from what I have read, you have done a lot of the heavy lifting and the content appears very sound!

[myonions]

No problem - if u PM me ur email i'll email it to you.

I have a few more tweaks to do as the Menu Options in GameEx load up the Gamebase Emulators in whichever order they appear when you load GameBase.

This means you could add the menu for "GameBase database 1", then add another Database to GameBase later and the new one would become Database 1 and the Original One Database 2.

Just thought i'd mention that there and I also need to get STeem to save games to disks properly so that they are rezipped with any saved games.

Once i've found the easiest way to do this i'll mail it to you.

[Draco1962]

You can also attach items in your PM to me as well. I appreciate your input into this project!