mame.map file

[Cisek]

Hi

I am using retroarch mame version through gameex, because of some really nice crt style shader (crt royale) and I found that it works, only when it is configured as seperate emulator.

When browsing through game list I would like to get full game name like "Street Fighter II", instead of rom name "sf2.zip" in menu. Correct me if I am wrong, but the only way to do this is through map file right? So my question is, if anyone did already map file for some recent mame version and can share it? I know I can use normal mame and have all the functions, however standard mame don't support this shader which is crucial in simulating an arcade feel to me.

Thanks

[DazzleHP]

Hi Cisek,

Have you tried assigning the MAME database to your emulator slot? Go to Setup Wizard> Emulator Setup. Select which ever slot you have MAME in, then in the Database drop-down choose [Arcade] MAME. Then change Use Database Name to Yes. You may have to delete any associated cache files to see any changes (in \GameEx\DATA).

[rockyrocket]

Have a look in the Downloads section - you never know what you will find .

http://www.gameex.info/forums/files/category/10-map-files/

[Tom Speirs]

Just wanted to point out that if RetroArch works like a regular MAME version the correct way would be to use the specific MAME support rather than set it up as an emulator.

I just wanted to point this out again. GameEx has specific support for MAME as well as running it as an emulator.

[nullPointer]

I was curious about this as well, and I may have to give it a shot. RetroArch doesn't come packaged as/with a Mame executable, but rather a "Mame core" which is invoked through a RetroArch command. TBH I've never tried the Mame component of RetroArch though, so I'd be somewhat interested to have a go with it.

[DazzleHP]

Just wanted to point out that if RetroArch works like a regular MAME version the correct way would be to use the specific MAME support rather than set it up as an emulator.

I just wanted to point this out again. GameEx has specific support for MAME as well as running it as an emulator.

That was precisely my first thought too Tom and nullPointer, I wanted to get to the bottom of why a RetroArch mame.exe behaved differently than a regular mame.exe. That was my initial instinct.

But then i realised the OP was asking a simple question and was conflicted in my response - do i delve deeper and try to solve this at the root, or just give a solution to the question?

I admit i wasn't sure at the time of my response but hope my actions/responses were just

[nullPointer]

@DazzleHP: Well FWIW I'm not entirely sure that RetroArch actually can be treated like a standard MAME distribution, so I think your answer is as good as any at the present time. At the very least it's going to be a bit of an oddball Mame config to configure via the integrated Mame functionality. How much so (or if it's even possible) remains to be seen ...

[DazzleHP]

At the very least it's going to be a bit of an oddball Mame config to configure via the integrated Mame functionality. How much so (or if it's even possible) remains to be seen ...

Indeed, i am too intrigued...

[Draco1962]

I have to ask, why run a frontend within a frontend? I don't use it, but I don't think it likely that it will work well with the GameEx integrated support if at all, much less utilize the db that is loaded through that interface.

[nullPointer]

That was my first initial thought as well, but RetroArch really is a bit of a hybrid between emulator and frontend. It runs other 'emulators' so to speak, but the emulator cores bundled in with RetroArch also can't be run independently of RetroArch (if that makes any sense). In some ways RetroArch is most akin to MESS except that it's built from separate emulator modules that rely on RetroArch for functionality. Each emulator core bundled in with RetroArch is actually something of a custom build for that emulator. That's how and why RetroArch is capable of enabling special functionality not included in the 'standard' builds of those emulators. In some cases this also allows bug fixes to be built into the RetroArch emulator cores that are not present in the normal builds. Indeed based on the OPs comments it sounds like RetroArch Mame is capable of using hlsl shaders not supported under standard Mame.

I suspect that since there's no actual mame.exe, GameEx may have some difficulty with this one using Mame integrated functionality, but I might also be way off base. ... Or it may be able to run games, but not verify ROMs and that sort of thing. Or maybe the Mame dlll core can be used as a surrogate for the mame.exe. I really have no idea.

[DazzleHP]

Actually null i think you're right on the money there. Assumptions aside, i think it can be assumed that people with the amount of experience between us all combined, we can assume that the RetroArch executables don't play nice with GameEx's built in functions

Again though this trickles towards the question of, how many MAME derivatives should GameEx support, and where does it end? I personally already know the answer to that and stand by the original mission statement whole-heartedly.

[Draco1962]

The official GameEx stance, especially for integrated MAME support, is the official MAME build from MAMEdev. Support for anything else is going to be based upon user support by those that got something to work and trial & error. That is why we have the extra emulator slots, emulator group capability, etc. If it is other than the official MAME builds and it works, hey, icing on the cake. If not, I don't see Tom doing much else.

[nullPointer]

Heh, wouldn't you know it; u-man already summed up the topic of using RetroArch Mame through GameEx right here. Some of what he says covers the ground we've already discussed in this thread, but among other things, it's interesting he contends that the hlsl shaders available through regular ol' Mame are every bit as good if not better than those available through RetroArch. It's definitely worth a read if you're interested.

[DazzleHP]

I remember that thread actually May be we both had it on our minds when we replied - i certainly was willing to spark up a debate bout shaders for no reason other than i knew in my subconsciousness there was a debate to be had

[Adultery]

Well it won't work as integrated mame, just so y'all know. It doesn't support the same commands as a full on build does, so you can't build a game list from it. AFAIK it only uses the core and none of the configure options are useable in the same way mame is.

Admittedly I didn't read this whole topic if someone else pointed that out already.

[Cisek]

Thanks a lot, your support really help I downloaded the mame map and it works briliantly (is there a possibility within this mame.map to use option like "no clones, unless better"?) I really enjoy this option in standard mame settings.

I use frontend in frontend, becuase retroarch inbuilt frontend looks bad, and is not so friendly to navigate. Check this "crt royale" shader, with small tweaks in settings, it can turn your lcd/plasma monitor to 15 khz arcade monitor

[u-man]

I tried Retroarch a lot.... the most reason for using Retroarch, would be the awesome shaders you can try on different emus. You can put up to eight different shaders, to create a specific look. HLSL looks like "kindergarten" comparing to these shaders.

But Retroarch has many downsides when it comes to MAME. First, most of the shaders are hungry for a good GPU, so many shaders will not work fluently with a integrated GPU, like i.e. Intels HD-4000 for example. Second, I got display (i.e. aspect ratio) problems with many vertical games. You can correct that, but you will need to go into the shader-code itself to change this and you need to make and save a config for this, this will result in many different commandlines to start games properly from GameEx. You cant self compile a MAME-version (no-nag, autofire etc. not possible) and you will need to wait until the MAME core is updated by the developers.

I use RetroArch only for SNES but the results with the shaders are awesome:

If you want to try out RetroArch, than I recommend the latest build: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/91sakv0qdyxjx9f/AAAKWBfDHBtIQtNfnp4rlyXea?dl=0

It contains many more cores, sliders for shader settings, more shaders etc.

[tthurman]

Nothing worthy to add to this thread, but man, I learn something new here most everyday

I was completely clueless about this.

Edited November 14, 2014 by tthurman