Updating GameEx Database Files?

[RedDog]

From browsing several of the databases, I have noted a number of entries that have not yet been populated with data. Of course, as a portion of GameEx is community-driven, it is understandable that projects like this are very time intensive.

I am seriously considering going through and updating a number of the console databases so that the games in my collection that are not currently displaying info will be corrected. While this will fix my problems, it feels like it is a wasted opportunity to help improve others experiences as well.

Before I dive in on the first database, I was wondering if the GameEx admins would be interested in receiving my updates once they have been done. If so, there are a few things that I would like to discuss with someone who is knowledgeable so that I can be sure that the outcome of the work will be useful for the GameEx team. For example, I would like a better understanding about the logic used by GameEx to match filenames against the database as well as what the GameEx team would like to receive to make the data integration easy.

Of course, I will generally only be updating entries that are relative to my collection since that is what I have to work with, but I also figure that any donation of time and effort is probably worth something. The databases I would likely focus on are NES, SNES, Genesis, N64, and maybe GBA, Sega CD, NeoGeo, and NeoGeo CD.

Of course, another concern is that with the upcoming implementation of GameEx Revolution, I am wondering if the current database structure will be used or if changes will be made. Perhaps it is worth living with these minor data issues for a time if their resolution if on the roadmap for that project.

[Adultery]

Your best bet right now is to send a PM to Greatflash, he leads the database charge. I'm sure he'd be happy to assist you.

As for Evolution, afaik we are keeping with the database structure for the future so that shouldn't be an issue.

[RedDog]

Your best bet right now is to send a PM to Greatflash, he leads the database charge. I'm sure he'd be happy to assist you.

As for Evolution, afaik we are keeping with the database structure for the future so that shouldn't be an issue.

I will do that.

It's also good to know that the database structure will stay the same for Revolution.

Thanks again Adultery.

[Draco1962]

It's EVOlution, not Revolution. GameEx is EVOLVing, not REVOLTing.

[RedDog]

Heh, ah, oops.

...but don't you mean "EVOLVing, not REVOLVing" (whatever REVOLVing would mean in any case)...

[Draco1962]

[greatflash]

Thanks for the interest in the databases and I concede that the current ones available with gx are a little outdated and in need of work.

But... Behind the scenes and hidden in a dusty broom cupboard, I have been updating them all in readiness for evo's release. The nes database is massive and would take an incredible amount of work to bring totally up to date, but... It has been updated along with many others.

I did speak with Tom as he wanted to release the updated databases in an gx release, but I thought it would be best to release them along with Evo. Perhaps it would he better to release them?

I did release one of the databases for Scummvm (with over 400 entries) in the beta and testing topic (for elites) and that will be released as soon as I have confirmation that the needed scummvm tool that accompanies it is working correctly so that can also be publicly released.

So, for continued development my thoughs are this. I am looking for other knowledgeable people to perhaps have access to the Dbm software (yes - it is bespoke) but would prefer this to be limited to elites and the ilk. The software is VERY in-house and HK and I certainly want it to remain that way. This leads to the problem that (like the wii database topic) that anyone editing the databases manually then limits there usefulness to the gx community. The internal databases are very strict (where possible) and names, publishers, and syntax must be consistent across the board. This means that any databases modifications without the use of DBM will break the coherence and delights like 'also on', listing by publisher, players, etc. would no longer function correctly.

Mentioning the Wii database, the gx ones have also been heavily updated as well.

[RedDog]

Hey Greatflash. Thank you very much for the reply. Since you have spent so much time already making updates to the databases, it has made me reconsider going through the work myself. I will hold off until the database or Evolution release.

As for the updated databases you have waiting int he wings, what would the drawback be in releasing them now instead of with Evolution? If the structure has not changed (As Adultery stated above), I would think that releasing the finished databases prior to Evolution's release would would give a bit of a jump start on testing (where the data is concerned anyway).

...and I am not just being selfish here (well, maybe a bit), but from my own experience working QA for website and database front end development, it seams like a reasonable step to take...unless the data has not been sufficiently tested for public release.

[Circo]

I stopped work on the database videos awaiting new databases. Good news on the updates, I'm looking forward to eventually finishing that project

[greatflash]

Hello Circo.

The databases will be updated in the next release all going well. Just doing a little but of a tidy up on the nes set.

Ps. With the download software Circo, ps1 covers download Saturn instead. Just thought I would mention it.

[greatflash]

Circo, just had another thought that is worthy of mention and topic related.

With Scummvm, you have box art and videos using two different naming conventions. One uses a rom zip file name (not consistent enough) and the other uses the Scummvm id name (recommended).

One thing I have done is create a Scummvm manager. This fixes any errors that may be in your collection and changes many of the id names (creating dummy files with these names to enable easy gx launching of the games and also matching the revised Scummvm database).

This tool is in the beta/testing section of the forums and also includes a version of the new database. It may be worth checking out for use on name matching?