GameEx/GameEx Evolution/GameEx Arcade Features

[Magus]

Hi everyone, I have a GameEx setup on my HTPC, I've been slowing adding and tweaking it over some years. I see Evolution is coming along, and was considering switching. I did install arcade some time ago, but as I recall I went back to GameEx as Arcade was missing some game frontend features/options I used. However it looks like arcade has been updated quite a few times since then. So my questions are:

What are the differences, as far as gaming frontend features for the 3 versions? Is Evolution beta still missing features that GameEx currently has? Is there a table somewhere that shows?

I primarily use my fronted for emulating consoles... I am not as interested in MAME. I understand evolution is still in Beta and the intent is to slowly bring it in line with GameEx and eventually replace it, but I am curious if I should wait for it to progress further. I also understand that Arcade does not include any of the non-gaming features that the main version does. I don't have so much time as i used to for gaming and stuff like this, so before I begin installing and trying to figure out if its going to work for me, a quick overview like this would be helpful. Thanks!

[tthurman]

There's currently no comparison table such as that you mention.

GameEx Arcade was originally more dedicated towards cabinet setups, but people liked it so much that Tom has ported over many of the GameEx features to it.  Still, it lacks some of the extended features of original GameEx and instead focuses on MAME and emulators and not so much on things HTPC.  It also is more cabinet oriented with a more graphical (eye candy) navigation and flow. 

Evolution is a lot more toward the completed side than the beta status would indicate, at least as far as I can tell.  That's not to suggest that it will not be built upon, but there is already a great deal under the hood that I'm amazed more people haven't jumped on board.  Evo supports a wide range of readily available themes from throughout the emulation community, something I'm surprised that hasn't been more showcased in all honesty, but you've got to tinker with it to achieve this as it is not the default setup.

The default configuration does what it sets out to do and fully supports Software Lists, which of course opens new doors if you wish to emulate consoles from MAME.  Scroll down to Driven to maturity gives some good feedback on how this side of emulation has progressed.  Evo also supports any emulator that GameEx does with each emulator enjoying an extensive amount of configuration options.

 

Evo was never intended to be a GameEx 2, and to me is more of a launcher type frontend.  I don't know that it will ever replace GameEx, and if it did it would be a long time down the road.  These three products are all just a little more focused in order to give the user more of an option when it comes to picking something that is more closely aligned with their goals.

 

<edit>  All of these products greatly benefit from an Emu-Movies subscription.