How will GameEx (Evo?) eventually handle the non-arcade part of MAME?

[NLS]

I've been a very long time (read: years) supporter of merging MAME and MESS.

Something that got me banned in some fora.

This merge has happened in the sources some time ago, along with the help of Haze and his proof-of-concept UME builds.

With 0.162 this finally became the default.

The only front-end ready for the change (read: also ready for the non-arcade part) is QMC2, also partially because some time ago I pushed the devs to re-establish communication with Haze and support UME. Now that actually UME became MAME, QMC2 only made a couple of renames and threw away the other builds (old MAME and MESS).

Now... QMC2 satisfies the "geek" part that wants a computer oriented front-end (doesn't go too far for cabin or home-cinema use etc.).

GameEx is the ultimate powerful front-end for full screen use and AFAIK one of its (non-declared) mission statements is to be the most complete.

So I fully expect GameEx will natively support soon the "ex-MESS" part of MAME.

Am I correct?

[Tom Speirs]

I've only just started thinking about it but I think there is a lot of potential for that.

Its certainly a more exciting time for MAME now and I like the changes too.

It does pose a few minor problems with the changes but nothing big. I am hoping they will be addressed.

Id like to look into "Software Lists" at some point in the future and again I see potential.

I certainly won't be forcing anything on people though. People will be free to choose whatever MAME build or other emulator they want to use.

Right now the official MAME kind of brute forces MESS onto front ends. I do like the new project direction but I don't like that.