[RESOLVED] Hiding RetroArch UI and Exit Games when run in GameEx

[Games001]

Please remove or redirect if asked before.  Search showed nothing specific to this question.

Good day all.  I have managed to get RetroArch (RA) running all of my various non-MAME games running on my MAME Arcade Cabinet, thanks to the gathered wisdom found on this Forum, but when running those games via RA I would like to hide the RA UI so only GameEx shows as any sort of frontend.

Specifically, when exiting games being run in RA is there a way to close the game currently running exit on RA and return to GameEx menus via keyboard or stick/button clicks?  At this time I leave the running game, then must close the RA UI manually before I am taken directly back to GameEx's menu screens.  Thank you.

GameEx.ini log.txt

[Draco1962]

Having a look at your GameEx.ini and log.txt files attached in reply to this thread may help us to provide suggestions for you.

Thanks!

[Games001]

Files attached as requested.  Thank you.

[Draco1962]

First thing I noticed is that you are running v18.50. GameEx latest version is 19.26 so you may want to upgrade as you will need to avoid conflicts.

If you launch Setup Wizard and go to the Advanced Emulator Setup for each emulator(s) running RetroArch, you should be able to use the following command line in the "Launch After" section:

taskkill /im retroarch.exe /f

Give that a try and let us know if that works.

 

[Games001]

Updated GameEx to current version.  Added the code line into Launch After box, with no change seen to the issue.  Doing so also seems to stop my joystick and buttons from working, but keyboard still works, once I exit (close) RetroArch and return to the GameEx Menu at 'Play Game' and go back one level of menu.

[Draco1962]

Remove the command line from the Launch after, launch the game, then attach updated copies of your gameex.ini and log.txt files to your reply to this thread. Let us know what game & which emulator slot, and attach runitgame.bat file from right after the launch attempt as well.

 

[Draco1962]

I am spitballing here as I do not have access to my gaming rig to setup RetroArch under GameEx to test, but in looking at your command line for Stella in the gameex.ini it shows as retroarch.exe -L ".\cores\stella_libretro.dll" "[ROMPATH]\[ROMFILE]" -f

I am not sure how that is even launching for you with a . (period) instead of a drive letter. Also, RetroArch may need the cores within the RetroArch path preceded to c:\ or whatever drive you have RetroArch installed to.

Try changing the command line to retroarch.exe -L "DRIVELETTER:\RetroArch\cores\stella_libretro.dll" "[ROMPATH]\[ROMFILE]" -f

[Games001]

RetroArch seems to load, run, and operate fine with just the '.' in place on the command line.  As this is the command line that GameEx setup automatically for me (I am not skilled in such things) I left it as such, went to RA and installed the specific Cores which each command line noted, and went from there.

Updated GameEx, though it keeps asking to download and install with each restart.  Ran, as an example, Atari 2600 > Adventure.  Game loads, runs fine, exits as requested.  Confirmed the Core is correct as the line requires.  Then changed command line for Emulator Slot #1 (Atari 2600) to include drive letter.  RA still working as it was with '.' in the command line, but command line now updated with drive letter.

Loss of Joystick functions still happens, somewhat randomly, after exiting RA and returning to the 'Play this Game' menu screen in GameEx.  This does not effect Trackball nor Up/Down Spinner which can be used to navigate the menu.. but the Joystick and Buttons associated with it do not return until system is rebooted.

GameEx.ini log.txt runitgame.bat

[Draco1962]

To confirm, RA is now exiting correctly from the launched game?

What kind of interface are you using for your rig?

P.S. Your log file still shows version 18.50 installed. Please redownload version 19.26 and install over the top of your installation after confirming that you do not have it installed in two different locations on your rig. Thanks!

[Games001]

RA exits exactly when first posted.  I believeI can find a keymapping work around for it, given what I am seeing on other web pages.  Will advise on that.  I use only GroovyGameGear Interfaces in this rig, the main stick/button unit being a GP-Wiz40 MAX USB.

Install keeps trying to setup 19.26 automatically, which I allow, but does so again and again with every restart.  I will try a paste over the current version.

[Draco1962]

Are you saying the prompted install or when you download and then run the installer? If you are relying upon the prompted installation - don't. Download and manually run the install package.

[Games001]

DL'd and installed latest GameEx file.  Installed it right over the current install.  Ran Atari 2600 - Adventure and then attached the three files again.
It seems you can hide the RA UI if you are willing to set the keybindings in the UI to a button on your cabinet, needing to press that 'Escape/Exit' key twice in order to return to GameEx's menu at the 'Play this game' section of your last chosen game file.

GameEx.ini log.txt runitgame.bat

[Draco1962]

Now we are getting somewhere, I think. Log file show 19.26 - I take it no more prompts from GameEx to install?

RetroArch is kind of a pain because you are essentially launching a hybrid frontend (RA) from within a frontend (GameEx). 

Here is an AI overview that may actually get you headed in the right direction for your setup should you decide that a dedicated button is a last resort or dead in the water - personally I would continue to seek a software solution first.

AI Overview

 

 

Based on discussions on the GameEx forums, using an AutoHotkey (AHK) script to close RetroArch within GameEx is a possible solution, though some users prefer GameEx's built-in advanced emulator configuration options

. 

Here's how you can potentially achieve this:

1. RetroArch's Exit Key: First, identify the key combination that closes RetroArch when running independently. RetroArch commonly uses the hotkey combination for exiting.
2. GameEx's Advanced Config: Within GameEx's Setup Wizard, locate the Advanced Emulator settings for your RetroArch setup.
3. Advanced Config Setting: Look for the Advanced Config option and select an entry like [Mapping Off] Exit (ALT+F4). This configures GameEx to send the ALT+F4 keystroke to the emulator when exiting.
4. AHK Script (Alternative/Supplement): If the built-in configuration isn't sufficient or you need more complex behavior, an AHK script can be created. You can write a script that sends the necessary keys to RetroArch to close it, triggered by a specific hotkey or button press. 

Important Notes:

• Compatibility: Depending on the version of RetroArch and GameEx, the exact method might vary slightly.
• Troubleshooting: If you encounter issues, provide detailed information on the GameEx forums, including your log.txt and gameex.ini files.
• HideOS: There might be issues with HideOS in conjunction with RetroArch, potentially causing the desktop to flash during transitions.
• Alternative Tools: While AHK is mentioned, tools like Xpadder and JoyToKey can also be used for controller mapping and sending keystrokes. 

The example above shows the Exit (ESC) but likely you will want to try Exit (Alt+F4) first.

If you search the forums - Google Search using site:www.gameex.info/forums gameex close retroarch ahk will turn up a few threads that may be useful with regards to using a compiled AHK script launched via the Launch After option may be an option to consider.

[Games001]

RetroArch uses a default x2 Esc key press to exit the program.  It seems there is a simple setting in RA, "Quit on Close Content", which allows the user to simply set a button to close the active game and then RA auto-quits and returns to GameEx's menu screen.  It is found in: Settings > User Interface > Hotkeys > Quit on Close Content

To clear the current RetroArch hotkey binding and set a key/button (Exit Button in my case) to Close Content and Exit RA, returning to GameEx go to: Settings > Input > Hotkeys, highlight (select but do not click/trigger) the hotkey to change and simply press Del on your keyboard or Y on your controller, then map the keys as noted above.

Doing this seems to have solved my issue.  Thank you for the insights, as always, Draco1962.

[Draco1962]

You're welcome and glad you found a viable solution to this issue. Thanks for sharing!