[RESOLVED]Adding PC games to PBX?

[tabascoman77]

On 6/14/2026 at 3:52 AM, Draco1962 said:

...and you have top billing in that Sci-Fi Slasher Action flick! Let us know how you get on - your red carpet awaits!

I think I am about ready to give up on RocketLauncher. This app is a complete mystery to me and what little instructions they have aren't very specific (unless I'm missing something). Furthermore, the code supplied doesn't work and even if I configured it correctly, I suspect it wouldn't work anyhow since AI just makes guesses at coding. For now, I may just make a separate entry for each PC game entry. I tried asking TerryRed but even he said that RL is a pain in the ass to configure and that it "didn't always work". Not promising.

[Draco1962]

@tabascoman77 If this works for you, it should be much easier to manage than a separate System entry for each game. You originally started with this:

 

The command line should be "[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE].lnk"  - no executable or process to monitor entries. So your entry will look something like this:

Also, let's take a step or two back with the Launch After. Copy & paste the following into a .bat file named CloseGame.bat:

DOS
@echo off

:LOOP
:: 1. Check if ANY of your game executables are currently running
tasklist /FI "IMAGENAME eq game1.exe" 2>NUL | find /I /N "game1.exe">NUL
if "%ERRORLEVEL%"=="0" (goto WAIT)
tasklist /FI "IMAGENAME eq game2.exe" 2>NUL | find /I /N "game2.exe">NUL
if "%ERRORLEVEL%"=="0" (goto WAIT)
tasklist /FI "IMAGENAME eq game3.exe" 2>NUL | find /I /N "game3.exe">NUL
if "%ERRORLEVEL%"=="0" (goto WAIT)
tasklist /FI "IMAGENAME eq game4.exe" 2>NUL | find /I /N "game4.exe">NUL
if "%ERRORLEVEL%"=="0" (goto WAIT)

:: 2. If none of the games are running, it means you manually closed the game. Proceed to cleanup.
goto KILL

:WAIT
:: Sleep for 2 seconds and check the loop again
timeout /t 2 /nobreak >nul
goto LOOP

:KILL
:: Clean up any stubborn hung processes or background helper apps
taskkill /f /im "game1.exe"
taskkill /f /im "game2.exe"
taskkill /f /im "game3.exe"
taskkill /f /im "game4.exe"
exit

You will replace each "game#.exe" with the actual game executable name in each tasklist and taskkill line, for example, using halo.exe as the game name in the taskkill lines:

taskkill /f /im "game1.exe" becomes taskkill /f /im "halo.exe"

Wash-rinse-repeat for each game exe that you are adding to your system. taskkill should ignore the processes that aren't currently running, and shouldn't throw errors or disrupt PinballX.

Next, place the CloseGame.bat file within the same path as your .lnk files, put the path within your Launch After Working Path field, and the CloseGame.bat file name within your Launch After Executable field.

Within the PinballX > Databases, you may have to create a folder for the PC Games XML file with a PC Games.xml file within. Below is one that I created for testing:

<menu>
    <game name="notepad">
        <description>Notepad</description>
        <rom></rom>
        <manufacturer>Microsoft</manufacturer>
        <year>1977</year>
        <type>EM</type>
        <hidedmd>True</hidedmd>
        <hidetopper>True</hidetopper>
        <hidebackglass>True</hidebackglass>
        <enabled>True</enabled>
        <rating>0</rating>
    </game>
    <game name="chrome">
        <description>Chrome</description>
        <rom></rom>
        <manufacturer>Google</manufacturer>
        <year>1977</year>
        <type>EM</type>
        <hidedmd>True</hidedmd>
        <hidetopper>True</hidetopper>
        <hidebackglass>True</hidebackglass>
        <enabled>True</enabled>
        <rating>0</rating>
    </game>
</menu>

@Mike_da_Spikeand/or @scutters - I was able to get Notepad to launch on my laptop, but Notepad closes after a few seconds. So I know that the batch file works, just something I am missing in the additional Launch After parameters, as it shouldn't be killing Notepad before I manually do so.

EDIT: Review and test the new CloseGame.bat file if you can please. I was able to get Notepad to launch and stay focused, then closed it manually, and the PinballX menu returned. I repeated the same with a launch of Chrome from PinballX.

CloseGame.bat

CloseGameTest.xml

[scutters]

11 hours ago, Draco1962 said:

EDIT: Review and test the new CloseGame.bat file if you can please. I was able to get Notepad to launch and stay focused, then closed it manually, and the PinballX menu returned. I repeated the same with a launch of Chrome from PinballX.

No time to test properly at the moment, but the code makes sense and is definitely more readable than a magic one liner!

(only downside to it is having to maintain the gamen.exe entries in the bat file)

[tabascoman77]

12 hours ago, Draco1962 said:

@tabascoman77 If this works for you, it should be much easier to manage than a separate System entry for each game. You originally started with this:

 

The command line should be "[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE].lnk"  - no executable or process to monitor entries. So your entry will look something like this:

Also, let's take a step or two back with the Launch After. Copy & paste the following into a .bat file named CloseGame.bat:

DOS
@echo off

:LOOP
:: 1. Check if ANY of your game executables are currently running
tasklist /FI "IMAGENAME eq game1.exe" 2>NUL | find /I /N "game1.exe">NUL
if "%ERRORLEVEL%"=="0" (goto WAIT)
tasklist /FI "IMAGENAME eq game2.exe" 2>NUL | find /I /N "game2.exe">NUL
if "%ERRORLEVEL%"=="0" (goto WAIT)
tasklist /FI "IMAGENAME eq game3.exe" 2>NUL | find /I /N "game3.exe">NUL
if "%ERRORLEVEL%"=="0" (goto WAIT)
tasklist /FI "IMAGENAME eq game4.exe" 2>NUL | find /I /N "game4.exe">NUL
if "%ERRORLEVEL%"=="0" (goto WAIT)

:: 2. If none of the games are running, it means you manually closed the game. Proceed to cleanup.
goto KILL

:WAIT
:: Sleep for 2 seconds and check the loop again
timeout /t 2 /nobreak >nul
goto LOOP

:KILL
:: Clean up any stubborn hung processes or background helper apps
taskkill /f /im "game1.exe"
taskkill /f /im "game2.exe"
taskkill /f /im "game3.exe"
taskkill /f /im "game4.exe"
exit

You will replace each "game#.exe" with the actual game executable name in each tasklist and taskkill line, for example, using halo.exe as the game name in the taskkill lines:

taskkill /f /im "game1.exe" becomes taskkill /f /im "halo.exe"

Wash-rinse-repeat for each game exe that you are adding to your system. taskkill should ignore the processes that aren't currently running, and shouldn't throw errors or disrupt PinballX.

Next, place the CloseGame.bat file within the same path as your .lnk files, put the path within your Launch After Working Path field, and the CloseGame.bat file name within your Launch After Executable field.

Within the PinballX > Databases, you may have to create a folder for the PC Games XML file with a PC Games.xml file within. Below is one that I created for testing:

<menu>
    <game name="notepad">
        <description>Notepad</description>
        <rom></rom>
        <manufacturer>Microsoft</manufacturer>
        <year>1977</year>
        <type>EM</type>
        <hidedmd>True</hidedmd>
        <hidetopper>True</hidetopper>
        <hidebackglass>True</hidebackglass>
        <enabled>True</enabled>
        <rating>0</rating>
    </game>
    <game name="chrome">
        <description>Chrome</description>
        <rom></rom>
        <manufacturer>Google</manufacturer>
        <year>1977</year>
        <type>EM</type>
        <hidedmd>True</hidedmd>
        <hidetopper>True</hidetopper>
        <hidebackglass>True</hidebackglass>
        <enabled>True</enabled>
        <rating>0</rating>
    </game>
</menu>

@Mike_da_Spikeand/or @scutters - I was able to get Notepad to launch on my laptop, but Notepad closes after a few seconds. So I know that the batch file works, just something I am missing in the additional Launch After parameters, as it shouldn't be killing Notepad before I manually do so.

EDIT: Review and test the new CloseGame.bat file if you can please. I was able to get Notepad to launch and stay focused, then closed it manually, and the PinballX menu returned. I repeated the same with a launch of Chrome from PinballX.

CloseGame.bat 947 B · 0 downloads

CloseGameTest.xml 646 B · 0 downloads

When I get home, I will test it. The issue is if I use a BAT to close the game, I will also need to combine that with MMT because the games keep running on the playfield monitor and not on the backglass and MMT fixes that issue. I mentioned that a few posts ago.

[Draco1962]

45 minutes ago, tabascoman77 said:

When I get home, I will test it. The issue is if I use a BAT to close the game, I will also need to combine that with MMT because the games keep running on the playfield monitor and not on the backglass and MMT fixes that issue. I mentioned that a few posts ago.

I got that. Unfortunately I do not have a MMT setup available to test. That said, I think that we can remedy the MMT issue easier than the .lnk file  launch issue.

[Draco1962]

After testing the Launch After changes, try modifying a few of your game shortcut Target fields. Per Gemini AI: Instead of pointing the shortcut directly to the game, point it to Multi Monitor Tool, and let it launch the game as part of its argument string.

1. Right-click your game's .lnk file and open Properties.

2. Change the Target field to look like this:

"C:\Path\To\MultiMonitorTool.exe" /SetPrimary 2 /Launch "C:\Games\ActualGame\Game.exe"

3. Click Apply.

**Why this is perfect:** PinballX still launches "[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE].lnk" exactly like it always has. You don't have to change a single setting in PinballX. Multi Monitor Tool will fire up instantly, shift your primary screen to Monitor 1, launch the game, and your existing :LOOP block in CloseGame.bat will still catch the game process perfectly when you close it.

 

[tabascoman77]

19 hours ago, Draco1962 said:

@tabascoman77 If this works for you, it should be much easier to manage than a separate System entry for each game. You originally started with this:

 

The command line should be "[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE].lnk"  - no executable or process to monitor entries. So your entry will look something like this:

Also, let's take a step or two back with the Launch After. Copy & paste the following into a .bat file named CloseGame.bat:

DOS
@echo off

:LOOP
:: 1. Check if ANY of your game executables are currently running
tasklist /FI "IMAGENAME eq game1.exe" 2>NUL | find /I /N "game1.exe">NUL
if "%ERRORLEVEL%"=="0" (goto WAIT)
tasklist /FI "IMAGENAME eq game2.exe" 2>NUL | find /I /N "game2.exe">NUL
if "%ERRORLEVEL%"=="0" (goto WAIT)
tasklist /FI "IMAGENAME eq game3.exe" 2>NUL | find /I /N "game3.exe">NUL
if "%ERRORLEVEL%"=="0" (goto WAIT)
tasklist /FI "IMAGENAME eq game4.exe" 2>NUL | find /I /N "game4.exe">NUL
if "%ERRORLEVEL%"=="0" (goto WAIT)

:: 2. If none of the games are running, it means you manually closed the game. Proceed to cleanup.
goto KILL

:WAIT
:: Sleep for 2 seconds and check the loop again
timeout /t 2 /nobreak >nul
goto LOOP

:KILL
:: Clean up any stubborn hung processes or background helper apps
taskkill /f /im "game1.exe"
taskkill /f /im "game2.exe"
taskkill /f /im "game3.exe"
taskkill /f /im "game4.exe"
exit

You will replace each "game#.exe" with the actual game executable name in each tasklist and taskkill line, for example, using halo.exe as the game name in the taskkill lines:

taskkill /f /im "game1.exe" becomes taskkill /f /im "halo.exe"

Wash-rinse-repeat for each game exe that you are adding to your system. taskkill should ignore the processes that aren't currently running, and shouldn't throw errors or disrupt PinballX.

Next, place the CloseGame.bat file within the same path as your .lnk files, put the path within your Launch After Working Path field, and the CloseGame.bat file name within your Launch After Executable field.

Within the PinballX > Databases, you may have to create a folder for the PC Games XML file with a PC Games.xml file within. Below is one that I created for testing:

<menu>
    <game name="notepad">
        <description>Notepad</description>
        <rom></rom>
        <manufacturer>Microsoft</manufacturer>
        <year>1977</year>
        <type>EM</type>
        <hidedmd>True</hidedmd>
        <hidetopper>True</hidetopper>
        <hidebackglass>True</hidebackglass>
        <enabled>True</enabled>
        <rating>0</rating>
    </game>
    <game name="chrome">
        <description>Chrome</description>
        <rom></rom>
        <manufacturer>Google</manufacturer>
        <year>1977</year>
        <type>EM</type>
        <hidedmd>True</hidedmd>
        <hidetopper>True</hidetopper>
        <hidebackglass>True</hidebackglass>
        <enabled>True</enabled>
        <rating>0</rating>
    </game>
</menu>

@Mike_da_Spikeand/or @scutters - I was able to get Notepad to launch on my laptop, but Notepad closes after a few seconds. So I know that the batch file works, just something I am missing in the additional Launch After parameters, as it shouldn't be killing Notepad before I manually do so.

EDIT: Review and test the new CloseGame.bat file if you can please. I was able to get Notepad to launch and stay focused, then closed it manually, and the PinballX menu returned. I repeated the same with a launch of Chrome from PinballX.

CloseGame.bat 947 B · 0 downloads

CloseGameTest.xml 646 B · 0 downloads

Did all of it. Both tests (my own system and the CloseGameTest).

Things sorta work...but not quite.

Both configs (CloseGameTest and PC Games) will launch apps...but my PBX music stays in the background with my arcade ambiance still playing. It won't shut off even though PBX seems to be relegating itself to the background. Additionally, hitting Escape won't exit the app at all. Also, the command line does not recognize the term "DOS" at the beginning of the code, so CMD stays stuck open while you're trying to do everything else.

Config attached.

Here's the log...but it doesn't tell you much:

22:12:36.18  6/16/2026:  Started
22:12:47.81  6/16/2026:  Launch System
22:12:47.81  6/16/2026:  Hide Backglass
22:12:47.81  6/16/2026:  Waiting for threads
22:12:47.81  6/16/2026:  Disposing display
22:12:47.87  6/16/2026:  Set Plugin data
22:12:47.95  6/16/2026:  C:\vPinball\roms\PC Games\Explorer.exe "C:\vPinball\roms\PC Games\Jaws.lnk"
22:12:48.33  6/16/2026:  C:\vPinball\roms\PC Games\CloseGame.bat 
22:13:42.50  6/16/2026:  Created DirectX BackGlass Window
22:13:46.94  6/16/2026:  Exiting
22:13:46.97  6/16/2026:  Showing Taskbar
22:13:46.97  6/16/2026:  Unhiding Mouse Cursor
22:13:46.98  6/16/2026:  Disposing Plugins
22:13:46.98  6/16/2026:  Saving Settings
22:13:48.09  6/16/2026:  Bye

[tabascoman77]

6 hours ago, Draco1962 said:

After testing the Launch After changes, try modifying a few of your game shortcut Target fields. Per Gemini AI: Instead of pointing the shortcut directly to the game, point it to Multi Monitor Tool, and let it launch the game as part of its argument string.

1. Right-click your game's .lnk file and open Properties.

2. Change the Target field to look like this:

"C:\Path\To\MultiMonitorTool.exe" /SetPrimary 2 /Launch "C:\Games\ActualGame\Game.exe"

3. Click Apply.

**Why this is perfect:** PinballX still launches "[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE].lnk" exactly like it always has. You don't have to change a single setting in PinballX. Multi Monitor Tool will fire up instantly, shift your primary screen to Monitor 1, launch the game, and your existing :LOOP block in CloseGame.bat will still catch the game process perfectly when you close it.

The logs indicate that it immediately uses the BAT script to shut down the game upon launching it.

This breaks something. It launches. I can see the BAT file immediately working...then the game quits back to PBX immediately. Additionally, it changes my backglass monitor to #1 and I have to manually change it back. I kinda knew it was gonna do that having read the code. I need it to reverse because it impacts VPX and makes the playfield appear on the backglass.

[tabascoman77]

GOT IT!!! GOT IT!!!!!!!!!

Here's the working config:

BAT files are attached.

This, effectively, will launch the game, place the game on the secondary monitor, and you can play it. Then, upon exit, it will kill the game, bring you back to the main menu in PBX, and you're golden.

Make sure to alter the scripts paths to where MMT and your PC game rom folders might be (the one with the shortcuts and not the actual EXE files).

The only catch is making sure to set a "normal" screen config in MMT (pre-game file called "normal.cfg") and a "gaming" config in MMT (during gaming, it will place the game on the second monitor; call it "gaming.cfg") so that the files can talk to the script and vice versa...but after that, these scripts work brilliantly. 

To do this, you set your monitors to their regular desired non-gaming config and simply save the config in MMT as "normal.cfg". Then, with MMT still open, go to the Windows Display Settings and set the OTHER monitor (backglass) as the "main display". Go back to MMT and save the config as "gaming.cfg". Make sure that both of those files are in the root MMT fiolder and make sure to go back to your normal display settings again after you do this. Mind you, this is if you have a 2-screen setup like I do...but it helps nicely. Still should work with 3 or 4 screens. Just name you screens accordingly and you're good.

That's the ballgame, @Draco1962. Guide this sucker.

ScreenAndKillLaunchBefore.bat ScreenAndKillLaunchAfter.bat

[Draco1962]

2 hours ago, tabascoman77 said:

GOT IT!!! GOT IT!!!!!!!!!

Here's the working config:

BAT files are attached.

This, effectively, will launch the game, place the game on the secondary monitor, and you can play it. Then, upon exit, it will kill the game, bring you back to the main menu in PBX, and you're golden.

Make sure to alter the scripts paths to where MMT and your PC game rom folders might be (the one with the shortcuts and not the actual EXE files).

The only catch is making sure to set a "normal" screen config in MMT (pre-game file called "normal.cfg") and a "gaming" config in MMT (during gaming, it will place the game on the second monitor; call it "gaming.cfg") so that the files can talk to the script and vice versa...but after that, these scripts work brilliantly. 

To do this, you set your monitors to their regular desired non-gaming config and simply save the config in MMT as "normal.cfg". Then, with MMT still open, go to the Windows Display Settings and set the OTHER monitor (backglass) as the "main display". Go back to MMT and save the config as "gaming.cfg". Make sure that both of those files are in the root MMT fiolder and make sure to go back to your normal display settings again after you do this. Mind you, this is if you have a 2-screen setup like I do...but it helps nicely. Still should work with 3 or 4 screens. Just name you screens accordingly and you're good.

That's the ballgame, @Draco1962. Guide this sucker.

ScreenAndKillLaunchBefore.bat 486 B · 2 downloads ScreenAndKillLaunchAfter.bat 1.26 kB · 2 downloads

If you don't mind, please create a new thread titled [GUIDE] Adding PC games to PBX (Using Multi Monitor Tools) along with your text, configuration image, and batch files. I will then move it to the appropriate subforum.

This way, we keep the work done, as there are some elements that may be of use to others not using MMT as part of their setup. Thanks again!

 

[tabascoman77]

8 hours ago, Draco1962 said:

If you don't mind, please create a new thread titled [GUIDE] Adding PC games to PBX (Using Multi Monitor Tools) along with your text, configuration image, and batch files. I will then move it to the appropriate subforum.

This way, we keep the work done, as there are some elements that may be of use to others not using MMT as part of their setup. Thanks again!

 

Done sir. It's in the Guides section.

[Draco1962]

You are awesome! I didn't want to split your solution from this thread and, if I copied everything, I would get the credit under the new post, which wouldn't be right IMO. Thanks again for sharing with us!

[tabascoman77]

Anytime, Draco!

[tabascoman77]

NOT resolved, unfortunately. Apparently, unbeknownst to me, the PC games are quitting after 30 seconds by themselves. I don't know if it's because PinballX doesn't think the lnk shortcuts are running (since they hand off to Windows to deal with the exe files) or what. Something within PBX doesn't think the games are running and just quits back to the frontend. Meanwhile, the PC Game just continues to run in the background.

I don't know what's causing this. It isn't the BAT files. I disabled those completely. The 30-second-kill still exists without them running.

Log attached but, looking at it, I don't see any issues. It's just simply exiting the game for no reason. It's like PBX looks at the lnk and says "You didn't load anything...oh well, going back to the menu." Meanwhile, the exe is loaded up and running perfectly.

log.txt PinballX.ini

[tabascoman77]

Ok...THIS time I fixed it. Game stays open, monitors switch correctly, Escape key works...I'm going to upload all pertinent working parts and the config here and then I will edit the Guide in the morning. I need sleep.

Here's the updated config:

The config files are attached. I will edit everything in the morning. Pinky swear.

See you guys soon...

ConfigFiles.zip

[Draco1962]

Interesting. When I ran apps (in lieu of games) using shortcuts, the game .exes in the LOOP/WAIT command line entries in the Launch After bat file I provided forced them to stay active.

 

[scutters]

I know this is (hopefully) now resolved, but just in case it's not here's a late curve ball..

Maybe try using the 'custom exe' system type instead and point the database xml directly at the game exe's. More info here, Custom EXE question - General - Spesoft Forums

(sorry, should have considered that before but i've never used 'custom exe' so had forgotten about the option)

[Draco1962]

56 minutes ago, tabascoman77 said:

Ok...THIS time I fixed it. Game stays open, monitors switch correctly, Escape key works...I'm going to upload all pertinent working parts and the config here and then I will edit the Guide in the morning. I need sleep.

Here's the updated config:

The config files are attached. I will edit everything in the morning. Pinky swear.

See you guys soon...

ConfigFiles.zip 380.29 kB · 0 downloads

The ConfigFiles.zip contains PCLauncher.exe and no ScreenAndKillAfter.bat file. Confuzzled. 😮

[tabascoman77]

5 hours ago, Draco1962 said:

The ConfigFiles.zip contains PCLauncher.exe and no ScreenAndKillAfter.bat file. Confuzzled. 😮

I know. I'll explain it...lol...

[tabascoman77]

7 hours ago, Draco1962 said:

Interesting. When I ran apps (in lieu of games) using shortcuts, the game .exes in the LOOP/WAIT command line entries in the Launch After bat file I provided forced them to stay active.

 

Yeah...but if I remember correctly, this was the ultimate result:

Quote

Both configs (CloseGameTest and PC Games) will launch apps...but my PBX music stays in the background with my arcade ambiance still playing. It won't shut off even though PBX seems to be relegating itself to the background. Additionally, hitting Escape won't exit the app at all. Also, the command line does not recognize the term "DOS" at the beginning of the code, so CMD stays stuck open while you're trying to do everything else.

These new config files should work.

[tabascoman77]

6 hours ago, scutters said:

I know this is (hopefully) now resolved, but just in case it's not here's a late curve ball..

Maybe try using the 'custom exe' system type instead and point the database xml directly at the game exe's. More info here, Custom EXE question - General - Spesoft Forums

(sorry, should have considered that before but i've never used 'custom exe' so had forgotten about the option)

I think I tried that and it didn't work.

[tabascoman77]

Updated the guide. @Scutters, I can try your solution later as well because mine is just convoluted as hell since it involves editing scripts and compiling and the like...but I suppose, no pain, no gain. What would your config look like for your theory?

[tabascoman77]

Funny story today, btw:

I uploaded the config files here last night with the intent of putting them on the Guide the next day.

I get to work and unzip the files and place them in the shared network drive...an hour later, I get an alert that my downloads have apparently caused alarm with our IT department and I get this nervous "security analyst" calling me to ask what I was doing. I told him I just downloaded game scripts so I could upload them to a gaming forum.

Dude gets really weird and grills me on what the files do. I tell they're AHK and BAT files/scripts...dude actually says, "I've never heard of AHK or BAT files...can you enlighten me on what they do?"

THIS. IS. A. SECURITY. ANALYST.

Taken aback, I tell him they're designed to make slight adjustments to my monitors and gaming rig before I play games. He gets confused and says "Why would you bring those to work?" I explained I was using the drive as an intermediary. He gets all suspicious and says that it's suspicious that I would do such a thing and that the department suspects that this is malicious activity.

So I tell him to open the files with Notepad and he can see for himself. He won't do it. So I do it from my computer and I read the files to him and go over each line with him and tell him what each one does. Then I copy-paste Gemini AI's thoughts, which say the same stuff I did...and even remarks that it's shocking that our IT Department doesn't know about AHK and BAT since they're extremely basic programming and coding files and any analyst worth their salt should know this and more.

Anyhow, they let me off the hook and all I can do is chuckle. 

Like, how do you look at the coding and see my own drive path with the words "gaming", "GameEx" and "pinball" all over them and think "Oh no, we're under attack"?

Anyway...back to work.

[scutters]

16 hours ago, tabascoman77 said:

Updated the guide. @Scutters, I can try your solution later as well because mine is just convoluted as hell since it involves editing scripts and compiling and the like...but I suppose, no pain, no gain. What would your config look like for your theory?

For a simple test of the theory i used the VP995 editor as the exe set up like;

(no launch before/after needed for my test)

Then in Game Manager (Database Manager has some issue with Custom Exe systems which we'll address in a future release) you can add any exe found under C:\Visual Pinball as a game. Note that the game includes the full path;

When launched from PinballX the VP995 editor launches and is closed from PinballX

Note - The PinballX log file will show the launch as "C:\Visual Pinball\C:\Visual Pinball\VPinball995.exe ", which wouldn't work but as the exe is launched ok i assume this is just an issue with the logging for Custom Exe systems in PinballX.

The changes you'd need to make to this configuration to test on your set up would be to change the Table Path folder to the root folder containing your game exes (can be in sub folders), and add the launch before after stuff for your screen switching.

[Draco1962]

My former employer's accounting department got approval and implemented an accounting software suite that had to be run from our servers, but had NO SERVICES that could be scheduled for certain updates. To top it off, once the application ran as a background process. This meant that we could not leverage Task Scheduler to launch and kill the process that needed to be run every morning before 6AM to import the files that were needed by our policy & claims check printing team. Additionally, they did not want the Accounting BAs to have access to the server to manually run them. This meant MY TEAM had to login to the server every morning before 6AM to kick it off. 

Long story short, I created and compiled an AHK script that would be seen as an active process by Windows Server and, thus, scheduled, automating the process. Since the app was being run by an approved service account, there was no additional access required. They didn't know what AHK was, our security team squashed it quickly out of total ignorance, and they spent 6 months with our "Automation Team" trying to create an AI bot that could handle the process, which was also squashed by our IT security team because it had to leverage the service account as a user with security credentials. 

I identified the issue, tested a hypothesis, and came up with a secure solution - All within 2 weeks. NOPE! 😡

They spent 6+ months and came up with nothing.  🤬