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Posted

31st July, 2008 - GameEx 9.43 released

New Features:

Thanks to the hard work of Flash and Headkaze for providing the tools, the first of the updated databases using the new format are in this release. These are for the Sega Saturn and NEC PC-FX

I realised today that the MAME manufacturer list and filter had really become a useless feature due to the huge amount of MAME games now supported and the data accuracy issues in the MAME XML output. Therefore GameEx now performs formating on the Manufacturer, resulting in less manufacturers in the list and more games grouped under each one as well as fixing the data accuracy issues in recent MAME builds. This results in a smaller list making the feature once again worth having hopefully. An update list is required

Changes:

For new installs by default GameEx will not set the resolution to 800x600 but will use the current windows desktop resolution. This is to provide a better initial experience for new users, and should only be a problem on really low end machines set at high resolutions

There is a slight change to the 2d animations. Hopefully for the better. Feedback welcome

When choosing the Lite or MAME only option on install, ebooks and search will be disabled. The theme is set at Media Center instead of MCE Glossy

Fixes:

GameEx should be more usable in touch screen setups as the issue where clicking the page down error did not return focus to the list from the menu with the default V3 themes is fixed

Fixes issue where the menu would not be visible after updating the MAME list

Fixes ICONS only being created on a restart when the first MAME list update is done

Posted

Cheers Tom..

Noticed you have added the new DB's to the Distro (Dreamcast is also ready) are there any to the handling of the DB's?

I.e.

The problem with "..." in the end of a rom filename (db entry) ("Nights into dreams...")

Paragraph support in DB descriptions.

The use of the Gameex DB "Name" field as an option for game displayed name in the list.

Problems with control characters in the description field (i.e. &)

I know these are all related to the new DB structures (but this is the area that i have been puting the effort into :) ).

I am as always excited at the release of a new build of GameEx but at work still for quite a few more hours so will not be able to have a play until i get home :(

Posted

Cheers Tom! Hopefully I'll get some time in the near future to get all the databases done with just the Moby data, later we can fill in the missing games.

Posted
Cheers Tom..

Noticed you have added the new DB's to the Distro (Dreamcast is also ready) are there any to the handling of the DB's?

I.e.

The problem with "..." in the end of a rom filename (db entry) ("Nights into dreams...")

Paragraph support in DB descriptions.

The use of the Gameex DB "Name" field as an option for game displayed name in the list.

Problems with control characters in the description field (i.e. &)

I know these are all related to the new DB structures (but this is the area that i have been puting the effort into :) ).

I am as always excited at the release of a new build of GameEx but at work still for quite a few more hours so will not be able to have a play until i get home :(

No, thank you. Actually that last one was fixed before, but I have not looked at 1 and 3 yet. The only one I see potentially being a problem is the paragraph, if you recall I did implement it (here) but it screwed up some of the descriptions as they were not properly formatted, so I decided not to go with it for now.

Posted
No, thank you. Actually that last one was fixed before, but I have not looked at 1 and 3 yet. The only one I see potentially being a problem is the paragraph, if you recall I did implement it (here) but it screwed up some of the descriptions as they were not properly formatted, so I decided not to go with it for now.

Ok.. In that case, I will work my little fingers to the bone to get these db's done. :) When they are done, I take it with the output from HK's DB program will then work ok for paragraphs? I.e. does it work ok using paragraphs on the new db's?

I seriously would like the option of "GameEx Name" (ps. there is a trademark on that <snigger>) as an output format, so insted of using the name of the file as a display, use the 'name' from the DB (not good, no-intro, or Tosec). This would be so helpfull for LOTS of romsets. Quite a few TOSEC's are misnamed resulting in a muddled list "freestyle scooter", "razor freestyle scooter", etc. I undersand that some people do like to have the () displayed, but they could then leave the option turned off. As I say, it would be nice to make use of the option, specially as the data is already present in the db's to do this (good fore-thought HK)

Anyway, im running on again.. See what happens when I dont let it out often enough :) :)

Good news on a new update again Tom.

Posted

I'm glad you take the database thing serious Flash because it means they will end up being more accurate and that can't be anything but a good thing. I'm sure Tom will get around to fixing these minor "issues" eventually and if worse comes to worse I can just filter them out in GameEx DBM and create new mdb's. I must admit I do agree with displaying the Name field over the filename though, or at least having the option, because it does give us the flexibility to correct any errors in the name as well as use characters that are not allowed in a filename. Actually come to think of it currently the Name field isn't used for anything is it?

Posted
I'm glad you take the database thing serious Flash because it means they will end up being more accurate and that can't be anything but a good thing. I'm sure Tom will get around to fixing these minor "issues" eventually and if worse comes to worse I can just filter them out in GameEx DBM and create new mdb's. I must admit I do agree with displaying the Name field over the filename though, or at least having the option, because it does give us the flexibility to correct any errors in the name as well as use characters that are not allowed in a filename. Actually come to think of it currently the Name field isn't used for anything is it?

No it isnt HK, but... remember - that was what you planned it for all along :)

I agree, In doing the DB's (working on several at once at the mo), I have found lots that will benefit from using the name field. Not just the conversions of "Temple of Doom - Part 1" to "Temple of Doom: Part 1" but things like "100%", full quotes, ?, etc. It definately would make a rom list look soo much better. Also some Dats do not even follow there own naming conventions, and in doing so have games in a series in different possitions alphabetically due to them being named differently, and not just with the "The, xxx" "xxx, The" issues.

Thanks for your support. And you are correct that I would like to see the DB's as complete and correct as can be possible. I just wish I had more time to work on them... But I will continue as best I can..

PS... Having withdrawls from pressing that donate button.. :)

Posted

Your in Credit for at least a good few years :)

Seriously I do appreciate what your doing, probably because I see it as hard work, but then again GameEx isnt for me.

Posted
Your in Credit for at least a good few years :)

Seriously I do appreciate what your doing, probably because I see it as hard work, but then again GameEx isnt for me.

Gameex is not just for Christmas :) and it makes me happy to donate if something tickles my fancy, as it were.

I know what you mean, Programming something is also a pleasure (and hard work at times - esp. when you have that niggling bug that won't allow you to shut off and SLEEP). Doing the DB's is also hard work, but a pleasure when you finally finish one. I have spent a long time just going through the rom list in gameex to see all the info come up with the game.. Sad aren't I? :)

But, GameEx is your little baby, and he (she?) is growing up fast. But, without trying to tell you how to bring up your children - I do think it is about time your wee child learnt to talk proper like what I does. (if you get my analogy). (Does Analogy really have anal in it?)

Again, thanks for all the hard pleasure. (hold on - that didn't sound right either!)

Posted

Quick question -

With the implementation of the new databases, can we still choose to use the old access databases if we would like? Or is there a way to input data?

The reason I ask is because I had customized the fields in GameEx to fit my needs a bit. For example, I was using the game description pane as a place for notes and tips for games; I had re-configured the developer field to display ratings for games, etc.

Just wanted to check before I updated

The new databases do look great, and I thank all of you who dedicated your time and energy to keep things up to date.

Posted
Quick question -

With the implementation of the new databases, can we still choose to use the old access databases if we would like? Or is there a way to input data?

The reason I ask is because I had customized the fields in GameEx to fit my needs a bit. For example, I was using the game description pane as a place for notes and tips for games; I had re-configured the developer field to display ratings for games, etc.

Just wanted to check before I updated

The new databases do look great, and I thank all of you who dedicated your time and energy to keep things up to date.

Yes, they will still work fine. Accept GameEx now uses the Publisher field rather than Developer if it exists. You can either swap the data around or rename fields/columns, or simply delete the publisher field/column.

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