[RESOLVE] Editing old and making new Map files

[dschulpius]

Hi all,

What's the best way or program to use to edit existing Map files? I am just getting to the place where I need to have better Gamex menus and am trying to find the best way to proceed. I'm a real newbie to this stuff. For example I'm using ScummVM emulator with about 10 games loaded in it I'm launching through Gamex. However the names on the launch menu look like poopoo. some look OK and others look like "indy3"

Can I use Adultery's Map File Maker to edit also? https://www.gameex.info/forums/topic/13328-application-map-file-maker/

Maybe it's better to just make now ones? 

Is a Map file even the best approach? What's the difference between a Map file and data file? Will a data file do the same thing? 

Sorry for all the questions. Perhaps there's a tutorial on this stuff? I haven't seen anything in the FAQ's on this. 

[RedDog]

A mapfile lets you control how the title of a game will be displayed in the games list. I use them for all of my emulators because I am overly picky on how things look (don't judge). 

By "data file", I assume you mean database. Database files usually contain all sorts of information about a game such as title, description, publisher, year, etc. You usually want this one set anyway because many themes use this information to look all pretty. One caveat: I say "usually" because not all database files are complete. It is an ongoing project by the GameEx team.

 

You might try setting the database first. Just select [PC] ScummVM in the Emulator Setup under Database. If all goes well, the names should be fixed right up. If you do not have that database in your database list, you can download it from here. Unzip it and place it in the GameEx\DATA\EMULATORS folder. How well this works depends on how close the game file names and the database entries match up.

If you decide to use mapfiles, I have heard that Adultry's Map File Maker works pretty well...but mapfiles are actually pretty straight-forward if you are comfortable editing text files with notepad. All you have to do is create a txt file, rename the extension to .map, and enter a list of games using the following format:
     filename.bat "How the game should be listed in GameEx"
     sword1.bat "Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars"
     sword2.bat "Broken Sword II: The Smoking Mirror"
I assume you are using individual bat files to make the games work in GameEx. As I understand it, that is the usual way to do it. Lastly, don't forget to enter the path to the mapfile in the Advanced Emulator Setup under Map or SW list File.

[dschulpius]

Thanks you sir for the excellent lesson. That was just what I needed and more. I did try using both the Database and Map files I found with the latest download of Gamex but although I had excellent information showing for each game and the names looked good, the list had way more games then I actually have. I'll follow your advice and use the data file along with a Map file I'll make and let you know. 

Thanks again!! 

[RedDog]

Cool. Glad it was helpful. Check back if you have any other questions.

[dschulpius]

Well, that worked nicely. Adultery's Map File Maker work great. I was able to import the Map file I had and edit it to remove the titles I didn't have and edit the titles to what I wanted. After making sure I had "No" selected for the "Use Data names" my list names look great now. Oh, and also using the Database file really adds a nice touch showing details about the game. 

Thanks for all the help!!!