[PLUGIN] GameEx Hi-Score Snapper

[MNMax21]

Sweet!!

I located the plug in by HK. I think it might be what I am looking for. I haven't had a chance to test it out yet, but it does look like a web based save file for high scores, which is sweet. I wish there was just something built right into gameex that allowed you to either opt in or opt out of the high scores as a member of the community. I do like all this stuff too and the ability to talk back and forth about scores though. Again, thanks for all your awesome programs Adultery.

[GimmeClassics]

Updated to 1.0.4!

• Now sends "P" Key to MAME to pause emulator before taking snapshot (Direct Input required)
• Added transparency to overlay so there are no more issues seeing the score
• Added "No Cheat" mode which forcefully disables cheating in MAME when the PlugIn is runnung
• Fixed a bug in Internal MAME Snap Mode
• Added an option to preserve snap size (Experimental)
• Added an option to force DD in Internal MAME Mode
• Added a Global Snap Mode to enable snapper in any game (for those without an Internet connection)
• Added an option for logging the MAME Command-Line (Useful for debugging)
• Tune-up in Hi-Score Snapshot Engine, which adds a new overlay font among other things
• Increased support for other MAME builds

Get it from the usual place. or use the DracLabs PlugIn Downloader software.

Thank you for yet another cool update !! I really like the transparency overlay

You the man !!

[DazzleHP]

@Adultery - thanks again for yet another feature rich and prompt update! I'll take it for a spin in a bit. Then probably come back and be all on your case LOL

@MNMax - make sure you are aware of the limitations as outlined by headkaze. you should be ok as there aren't 100's of people using it simultaneously, but back up any scores you're fond of first

[MNMax21]

Thanks for the heads up @DazzleHP

[smario]

Finally found the time to set up the Hi Score Snapper - now this is a nice tool Adultery! Kudos!!

I've experienced one minor hiccup though - perhaps one of you guys can point me in the right direction:

All working like a charm when I start one of the hiscore games right from the MAME menu in GameEx. However, when I start the same game from the virtual "GameEx HiScore Competition" emulator list (which I set up as described here), no snap is taken and the snapper log says something about "<game name> is not a Hi-Score game!".

Probably something with the configuration of the HiScore "emulator", so I enclosed the ini.

[Emulator]
Enabled=True
STARTPAGENAME=GameEx Hi-Score Competition
TITLETEXT=GameEx Hi-Score Competition
StartPageLogo=MAME
WorkingPath=C:\Emulators\Mame153
RomPath=C:\Roms\MAME\Roms
ROMFilter=
Command=mame64custom.exe -nowindow -joy -skip_gameinfo "[ROMPATH]\[ROMFILE]"
SnapPath=C:\Assets\MAME\Snap
BakSnapPath=
VideoSnapPath=C:\Assets\MAME\Video_MP4_HI_QUAL
TitlePath=C:\Assets\MAME\Title
BoxPath=
CartPath=
ManualPath=C:\Assets\MAME\Manual
Databasesnappath=C:\Assets\MAME\Video_Database_MP4
MapKeys=True
DATABASE=
ReplaceDash=False
ReplaceUnder=True
Capitals=False
RemoveBrackets=True
ShowDesktop=True
Debug=False
MAPFile=C:\Emulators\Mame153\_mappings\GameExHiScore.map
AlsoLaunch=
LaunchBefore="C:\Program Files\AutoHotkey\AutoHotkey.exe" "C:\Emulators\Mame153\_scripting\mamewrapper.ahk"
LaunchAfter=TASKKILL /F /IM AutoHotKey.exe
configFile=[Mapping Off] Exit (Process Close)
CustomArtName1=Cabinet
CustomArtPath1=C:\Assets\MAME\Cabinet
CustomBackground=
MusicPath=
TVAdPath=
ControlPanelPath=
CustomArtName2=Control Panel
CustomArtPath2=C:\Assets\MAME\CP
PlayMusic=False
PCGame=False
GamesIn7Zips=False
PlayInScreenSaver=False
RomsInFolders=False
ShowMostPlayed=False
RandomMostPlayed=False
PlaySelectionMusic=False
CustomArtName3=Artwork
CustomArtPath3=C:\Assets\MAME\Artwork_Preview
CustomArtName4=Banner
CustomArtPath4=C:\Assets\MAME\Banner
CustomArtName5=Marquee
CustomArtPath5=C:\Assets\MAME\Marquee
lastgame=
UseDbName=False

Thanks and good hi-scoring!

[DazzleHP]

Try enabling the MAME database for the GameEx HiScore Competition emulator slot:

Go to Setup Wizard> Emulator Setup, in the Database dropdown menu choose [Arcade] MAME.

If that doesn't sort it wait to see what Adultery says OR you can use the custom list method for MAME I know that method works as it's what i use

[smario]

Thanks - but no luck with the MAME database. [in utter confession of total newbie-ness] What exactly do you mean with the MAME custom list method?

[DazzleHP]

Thanks - but no luck with the MAME database. [in utter confession of total newbie-ness] What exactly do you mean with the MAME custom list method?

Well, you can have custom MAME lists in GameEx! (i only recently found out myself, and it's awesome!! ) It enables you to have your own custom made game lists that show in the main MAME menu, like this (note "High Score Games"!):

And it's quite easy to do. Here is the official high score list (right-click, Save As...) put it in a directory that makes sense to you, for example i have mine in \MAME\customlists. Then point GameEx to it:

Setup Wizard> MAME Settings> Custom Lists Path

Now just boot GameEx, go to MAME and hit Update List. You can make as many lists as you please (save them as mylistwhatever.ini in the same directory) - you can see in my screenshot i have a list for all the games that were in the Shoot Em Up Comp

PROS: Has all the built in GE Mame goodness! Doesn't require a separate emulator to be setup. Hi-Score Snapper works! Create your own in minutes!

CONS: You have to Update List whenever you make any changes to your lists, which will be at least once a month for our Comp.

[Adultery]

You can also check the box that says GLOBAL SNAP MODE under Misc Options in the snapper to force it to enable for all games.

It only works in integrated MAME though, so if you have it set up as another emulator it won't work. For my money, the best method is to use the MAME favorites file to give the HiScore games their own sub menu in the integrated MAME section of GameEx as Dazzle suggested. The only other thing I would add to his instruction is that I built a tool that updates that file automatically so you don't have to update the favorites file manually at all. I'm not sure off hand where the link is.

Unfortunately that means it's not going to work for you currently, but I can maybe figure something out. I just honestly think it's better to use the framework GameEx has in place for MAME, but to each their own.

[DazzleHP]

Of course! Dang i hadn't gotten round to trying the new version yet - would have saved me a lot of typing LOL

[Adultery]

Your suggestion is right on imho, and the snap tool will only work in integrated mame mode, so he woulda still need to use internal mame anyway. So it wasn't a loss.

[smario]

Yeah thanks a lot guys. I tried building a Mame Hi Score Games submenu and it worked just fine with the snapper. I didn't know about custom Mame lists and really like that concept - so many possibilities (horizontal shmups, vertical shmups, childhood favorites, you name it).

Thanks again for the quick help.

[GimmeClassics]

I learned a thing or two here. Thank you guys

[MNMax21]

Can you create an auto updated list within your customfolder for the high score competition games. I tried routing the map file deal to my custom list folder. The file showed up, but when I went to update the list I did not get the high score list in MAME category. I then manually created a new .ini and it worked. I figured I would change the below from:

"C:/GameEx/Map Files/HiScore Competition.map"

to

"C:/Emulators/Mame32/CustomFolders/High Score Competition.ini"

The file showed up, but I could not use it. Anyway you could change the file type for this to work? I could not get the snaps to work in the emulator I created for the high score comp. I had the global snap mode checked, but still did not take snap shots

[MNMax21]

My snaps work just fine in MAME until I check the Enable Mame Snap Mode. Then they do not work anymore. I just hear ralphie laughing when I try to take a snap shot... haha.

If I check the Enable Mame Snap Mode box, my side bezels are crystal clear, but I cannot take the snapshot. However, if I uncheck the box, my side bezel art goes wonky again but the snap shot works. I tried clicking force DirectDraw, but it just auto unchecks it when I exit the plugin configuration area. I am running mame .143.

Any ideas on how I can get the artwork to be clear and still take the snapshots would be welcome! I saw the above posts saying it was fixed, so I am thinking I must be doing something wrong.

Thanks!

GameEx.ini

mame.ini

log.txt

[MNMax21]

http://www.gameex.info/forums/topic/12781-rules-guides-and-map-file/?p=116527

The link above goes to the RAR file for the HiScoreUpdater.exe file. It's at the bottom of the postings.

[Adultery]

OK. One thing at a time. LOL!

1st) There is a n INI file you would use instead of the MAP file, located here for MAME Favorites. You will need to update your MAME list as new games are added however. I made a tool to download the new INI or MAP file when you fire up GameEx, which is located here, along with instructions on how to automate this process.

2nd) For this utility to work, you must be running MAME in GameEx's native MAME mode. Setting up MAME as another emulator won't work. This code is specifically written to only take snaps in that way.

3rd) You need to compile MAME yourself to use internal mode, and you need to specifically enable Direct Input for that feature to work. Otherwise you're not gonna be able to send key strokes to MAME. I use Headkaze's MAME Compiler 64 for this, and you have to tick the ENABLE DIRECT INPUT checkbox under the BUILD tab. If you don't want to compile MAME yourself, you're limited to using the primary DirectDraw method, and none of the MAME Internal Snap Options will work for you.

In a nutshell, this plugin is deeply integrated with GameEx's internal MAME mode, so it will not support MAME as an external emulator, and I have no plans to make it do so.

Oh, and the DirectDraw tick box not being enabled when you load the interface is probably a bug. I can fix that for the next revision. If you check it, it works though as the setting is being saved, I just forgot to load ot when the window opens up.

[MNMax21]

Sorry for the 4 million questions. Last night was the first night I've been able to sit down at the arcade and hammer a few things out in quite some time. I'm thankful for the fast response! I know you've done a great deal and I greatly appreciate it! If you're okay with it, I am going to ask you a few more questions! haha

In regards to 1st). I already have the auto download program up and running. It works great. However, it auto downloads the map file (I was using the emulator selection first) and it's locked in the file directory I chose to place it in. I am not all to great with computers, so I am just wondering how I can change the file content to the .ini stuff you have linked above (below),

[FOLDER_SETTINGS]

RootFolderIcon = cust1.ico
SubFolderIcon = cust2.ico

[High Score Games]

1944
anteater
arkanoid
bankp
blazstar
bloodbro
etc.

instead of the .map stuff (below)

1944|1944
anteater|Anteater
arkanoid|Arkanoid
bankp|Bank Panic
blazstar|Blazing Star
bloodbro|Blood Bros.
bombjack|Bomb Jack
btime|Burger Time
bublbobl|Bubble Bobble
centiped|Centipede
cyvern|Cyvern
dkong|Donkey Kong
etc.

when it's auto downloaded through your program. If I manually create the .ini file with the info above and save it in notepad and then place it in the directory, it works and shows up after I update the MAME list in GameEx. However, if I let the auto download program do it, the file ends up including the .map data and does not work to create a custom list. I am just wondering how I can make the auto download feature decide to give me the .ini file instead of the .map file. I imagine I am completely missing something very easy. I tried doing the below in the setup wizard to no avail.

"C:/GameEx/Map Files/HiScore Competition.map"



to



"C:/Emulators/Mame32/CustomFolders/High Score Competition.ini"

Oh, you also located my laziness!! I downloaded someone else's compiled mame version in order to do the high scores! I have yet to venture into the world of compiling my own MAME. If I compile my own MAME, will this plugin then work within MAME without distorting the artwork? If that's truly the case, then I will set forth on my first MAME compiling journey.

[Adultery]

Youre doing it wrong. Lol!

If I had to guess, you ned to change your command-line from:

C:/HiScore Updater/HiScoreUpdater.exe" -type 0 -mappath "C:/GameEx/Map Files/HiScore Competition.map

To:

C:/HiScore Updater/HiScoreUpdater.exe" -type 1 -fpath "C:/GameEx/Favorites/HiScore Competition.ini"

Change the favorites path to match your current setup, or where you save the favorites file to.

Compiling MAME will not make any changes (other than the options you compile with), all a custom compile does is add extra functionality, such as removing the nag screen, adding high score functionality, and adding Direct Input instead of Raw Input. If your artwork is being distorted, thats more likely because of using DirectDraw.instead of Direct3D.

[MNMax21]

Sorry, I literally was just about to post and say I found the -mappath, -fpath difference on a post you made that was VERY detailed and I totally missed it! haha Sorry!


-map, -mappath, -mpath

Specify the path to your MAP file, including the file name. Use quotes around the path if your file path has spaces in it.


-favorites, -favorite, -favoritespath, -fpath

Specify the path to your MAMEUI Faovrites file, including the file name. Use quotes around the path if your file path has spaces in it.


Is there a way I can easily switch what I use in regards to directdraw or direct3d so I can have the artwork not be distorted when the hiscore snapper plugin is enabled?

I think I will try to compile. It sounds kind of fun and I am currently running on .143 and it's now at .153... yikes. Is the nag screen the portion where it runs through the diagnostics type things, calibration etc. or is that the part that says to move the controller right or left, etc. I do not have the controller movement part, but I do still have the calibrations at the beginning of each game, like when you'd unplug the arcade and plug it back in the past.

[Adultery]

If you compile that screen goes away.

The game diagnostic screen will stay though.

If you want the plugin to work in D3D, you have to compile and select that option as I mentioned. Otherwise theres just no easy way for me to get the snap, short of pulling the image off the device buffer, and thats too complicated for me to try to tackle atm. Once you compile your own MAME, you'll feel smarter, and you'll be a winner.

[MNMax21]

@Adultery - I got nearly everything working now. The .ini file is generating on its own without issue. Thanks for your help on that. It was totally just the file path designation in the mame wizard. Once I fixed the -mpath and made it -fpath and switched to -type 1 it worked great. I setup Krak's theme last night too, that theme is pretty slick (Gameroom V2). Have you seen it?

I saw a post in the "Just a thought.." topic in the high score competition forum where you reference an ability to make a custom logo for the HiScore Games Custom List in the MAME directory. I made the .ini file HiScore.ini that regenerates itself. I then made the .png I wanted as the logo for the list HiScore.png and placed it in the logos area of the gameroom v2 media theme section. Do you have to place the file in the default - default theme or just in the one you are currently running? I was not able to get the logo to populate. I refreshed the game list multiple times too. I like this much better than the emulator deal. However, I bet Krakerman could make an absolutely sick high score emulator theme based on his past entries for emulators. The Atari 2600 one he did with the switches is outstanding.

My file paths are as follows:

C:/Emulators/MAME32/CustomFolders/HiScore.ini

(I have GameEx custom lists pointing to this in the MAME settings section of the wizard. The file shows up and the list is in the MAME subdirectory of GameEx after list update, but I cannot get the logo to populate).

The logo is here:

C:/GameEx/THEMES/GAMEROOMEXV2/MEDIA/LOGOS/HiScore.png

(I am not positive that is the exact way Krakerman's theme appears in the file directory, but the logo is in the logo portion of the theme)

I imagine I've made a simple mistake! haha

Update: I did not get a chance to tackle compiling last night, but I will try soon.

[Adultery]

Honestly, I think you have it right. I will have to try and see if I can get this to work... All you *should* have to do is make a logo that has the same file name as the favorites list name.

I'll have to get back to you on this.

[MNMax21]

Ok, surprisingly I figured this out!! lol. It still possibly was my error. The .png picture has to mirror the list name in the MAME category, not the file name. If you name it HiScore.ini, it still names the custom list in the MAME category "High Score Games" based on the information in the .ini file on what to name the list. Once I changed the file to "High Score Games.png" it worked just fine. I had to place the file/pic into the logo portion of the theme I was using. This should be universal for everyone, as the auto update will always name the list "High Score Games."

"C:/GameEx/THEMES/(your chosen theme)/MEDIA/LOGOS/High Score Games.png" and voila... there was my custom picture for the list!

[Adultery]

Thank man! I was just struggling with this myself. Nice find!