[RESOLVED] GameEx running Clone Hero on same cabinet..

[Games001]

Hi all.  I recently installed Clone Hero (a Guitar Hero for PC emu) onto my arcade cabinet pc and set it up to be run as an External Application from the front end.  When the GameEx menu comes up the title of Clone Hero is shown in the list and when running that item the executable in the CH folder on the main drive is targeted.. GameEx minimizes, the background desktop (running show desktop during the tests) is black with desktop icons still shown, but the CH program is running minimized and with not display on screen.  Hitting Exit (escape) brings us back to the front end menu as expected.

My first time running an external program this way via the front end.  Thoughts?

[Draco1962]

Hi would you mind attaching copies of your gameex.ini and log.txt files (no copy and paste please) for review? 

There may be some alternative ways to launch this for you to try but I would prefer to see what you have setup presently.

[Games001]

Will do so asap.  Not at the machine until Tuesday eve.

[Draco1962]

Since there are some command line options available to preview and launch songs via "bots" it may be possible to leverage an Emulator slot to launch the songs.

Read more about command line options mentioned here:  

https://wiki.clonehero.net/books/clone-hero-manual/page/chart-previews-via-the-command-line

[Games001]

Interesting link, thank you.  Generally all we need do is run a command that hides the FE and opens GH in fullscreen.  The entire game activity, including loading songs and gameplay takes place in that program.  There would be no need for Rom Setup or the extra command line items, just a stable exe.

[Draco1962]

10 hours ago, Games001 said:

Interesting link, thank you.  Generally all we need do is run a command that hides the FE and opens GH in fullscreen.  The entire game activity, including loading songs and gameplay takes place in that program.  There would be no need for Rom Setup or the extra command line items, just a stable exe.

The emulator setup should handle that, The command line link is only applicable to Chart Previews via command line so may not be of help, There are other "command line" options when launchintg from a shortcut regarding video rendering, but still, after quite a bit of digging, not finding anything useful.

The app itself is written in Unity but not sure that is helpful info to getting this to launch. Will try to find something.

One question I failed to ask - have you confirmed that you can launch and play the game directly outside of GameEx?

[Games001]

Yes.  The CH program runs flawlessly outside of the GameEx front end.  Loads up, accepts controller input, sees the song list roms in their specific folder, and plays well on the arcade cabinet's PC.

[Draco1962]

Perfect, thanks!

[Draco1962]

I might have this sorted out. Mind you I do not have the music files or controllers setup but I was able to finally get this to launch with the following settings - your paths will likely be different so modify accordingly:

 

Give that a try in an emulator slot. There may be some additional tweaks to be made but this should get you started. Let us know how you get on with this. Thanks!

[Games001]

Awesome attempt.  I will be at the machine on Tuesday eve and will give it a go.  TY.  Will advise.

[Draco1962]

Any luck?

On 3/3/2024 at 9:33 PM, Games001 said:

Awesome attempt.  I will be at the machine on Tuesday eve and will give it a go.  TY.  Will advise.

 

[Games001]

Had a delay due to elder of the family health issue.  Will try to get to the machine asap.  Thank you.

[Draco1962]

I understand and hope all gets better soon!

[Games001]

GameEx.ini

log.txt

 

Draco.. tried your settings shown above.  I think it is working.  Will give it a wider test range over the week.  Will advise, thank you.

[Draco1962]

46 minutes ago, Games001 said:

GameEx.ini 40.9 kB · 0 downloads

log.txt 11.19 kB · 0 downloads

 

Draco.. tried your settings shown above.  I think it is working.  Will give it a wider test range over the week.  Will advise, thank you.

You're welcome! The thanks goes to @Phantom as I chanced upon a thread where he noted having it installed and had a recent gameex.ini file with the Clone Hero settings enclosed.

[Games001]

Our deepest thanks to you and @Phantom both.  I will soon post some video examples of the program running.

[Games001]

Odd question.. with the settings shown above we get Two listings for Clone Hero in the Start Menu of FE.  Any idea how to remove one of the listings?

[Games001]

And, quick video demo with a look at the real wood custom Ashley Rock Axe controller install.

[Draco1962]

4 hours ago, Games001 said:

Odd question.. with the settings shown above we get Two listings for Clone Hero in the Start Menu of FE.  Any idea how to remove one of the listings?

My guess, without seeing your new gameex.ini file, would be possible that you still have it enabled under External Applications or you have 2 emulator slots enabled for it.

Thanks for sharing the vid! Nice guitar BTW!

[Games001]

I know for sure I have only 1 slot setup for it, as Emulator 1, but I will check on Friday when I am there.  TY.

[Games001]

And you were correct @Draco1962, there were two setups for Clone Hero.  I shutdown the External Applications one and now the menu shows correctly.  Thank you both very much for all the assist.

[Draco1962]

3 hours ago, Games001 said:

And you were correct @Draco1962, there were two setups for Clone Hero.  I shutdown the External Applications one and now the menu shows correctly.  Thank you both very much for all the assist.

You're welcome! Glad to help with a solution! Thanks for reporting back!