-= GB64 Forum =-

Hi

http://gbplayer.xiik.net/

Work is nearing completion for my next release of gbplayer - BUT I've already had a few ideas for the next version, and would appreciate feedback.

1 - Video Plugins
The excellent EmuMovies site (http://www.emumovies.com/) hosts a free torrent for several systems which have gamebase databases. (Also C64 has optional long-play as extras). System inlcude Atari 2600, 5200,
7800, Jagurr, Lynx, Vextrex, PC ENgine, Gamegear, Genisis, Mater system ...)

These video files will NOT be added to the actualy databases, but I think it should be possible to produce a "map file" for each system to map the gamebase name/game disc to the actual aci file. This video preview would sit above the screenshots. Would anyone be interested?

(The c64 would work differently, by scannng the extras for the video.)

2 Compound databases
In this, you can merge the gamelists of 2 or more databases together. Eg (dare I say) Amiga & ST. (There could be clashes on the use of custom naming on columns, but I think it could work). Again, do you think its a good idea?

3 Master lnguage filter

With the recent "us" only databases, then been added to with the japanses versions, this might be of some us?

I know that gamebase lets you click on all the "english games" - and you could add that as a favourate. But looking at GB Amiga, ther are several languages in the access database and you might want 3 out of the 4.

I think the master filter would work by, selecting out all the "lookup" columns from the database, (eg list all languages)

You'd then have a grid which diaplayed :-

Language Inclued
english Y
japanses N
german/english Y

And you could select/unselect as needed. This would then "matsre filter" the main game list.

4 Add a "grouping" plugin
Eg GB ST, it would remove the "pasti" enteries and just list a single game (with a + beside it). Clicking the + would shouw each version of that game. Similar for GB Amiga with the AGA . (But GB AMiga then has the problem of the sps being listed as extras, rather than games. Pulling these out would require a bit more work). This would be possibnle without changes to the access datavse. (But it does mean a custom plugin/database. Currebtly gb st/amiga would benefit from this type of grouping. Any others? (The combined BBC/Electron one also?)


5 Additional website plugins
Currently theres direct web-links for HOL, Lemon Amiga, gb64.com, Lemon C64, Atari Legend. Are there are other webistes that would like to be added?


6 Anything else?



Anyway, these are what I'm thinking about for the next version and just though I'd but some feelers out now.

Thanks

AAG

PS I'll post an update when the next GBPlayer has been updated. (Also, there'll be a load of new "packs"/themes thanks to user42)

How about rewritting the whole of Gamebase to use your front end as standard.

That would be quite an undertaking!

I seem to remember James himself saying (on the english amiga board in a discussion on the mage front end) that separating :-

The database creation/management
Actual end-user front end

Would be a better/good idea - which I agree with.

I know that not everyone has access to Microsoft Access - but you can create a gamebase database without using the gamebase ui at all. (The master games table just links out to other ids in other tables. Not sure about the music table, but no other db I've come across other than c64 uses that anyway).

Also, I'm not sure how many people are actually using GBPlayer - and if the effort is actually worth it. Especially given that theres a new VB.NET version being developed?

My plan was to concentrate on adding unique features to the UI/end-user, rather than the DB creation/maintaince.

Work has been quite manic over the past week or so - so no progress on the next release has been made.

I'll keep plugging away at my list - and await an further suggestions.

AAG

So any news on the new release?

sorry for grabbing out this post.....

I'm looking for AAG's GBPlayer v 0.5
Does anyone can share it ?

question : is GBPlayer compatible with GameBase v1.3 ?

btw.
is AAG still active here ?

I grabbed it when somebody uploaded it to UG last year. Here it is http://www.sendspace.com/file/gs81pn

No idea on compatibility as I have never looked at it.

about videos, i have made some trailers that you see in my sign.
Retro Trailer

Thanks Hidron
I allready had GBPlayer v0.5 , but can't find it on my HD's...

@Seiya :
really nice snaps !
you should join EmuMovies as "Content Contributor".
I've allready made about 1680 video snaps for VIC-20 games.

There are some "rules" how to make a video-clip
(video-codec TSCC, audio PCM, title sequence 4-7 seconds, game sequence ca. 30 seconds)
So, you should contact "Circo" from EmuMovies

you can see my VIC-20 clips on YouTube

btw.
all VIC-20 clips (and more cool features) will be added in my GB-Project....

my videos are coded for that site..:Techsmith codec and then converted in FLV

o.k. , good
If you still have your files (unconverted) this way :
TSCC and PCM (uncompressed audio) , splitted in title & game
then you should really join EmuMovies, so Circo can add them.
He will compress the video-snaps in really good looking mp4 files.
(with "really good" i mean : superb video quality but also relative small filesize)

as example :
your VIC-20 Abductor FLV-File :
size : 448 x 280
length : 42 seconds
= 1336 kb

my VIC-20 Abductor MP4-File :
size : 640 x 480
length : 34 seconds
= 834 kb

Circos final video-snap :
http://www.sendspace.com/file/nmvkpd

here is my source video :
http://www.sendspace.com/file/88e8du

btw.
Amstrad CPC video-snaps are rare at EmuMovies

i'm sorry, i don't have original files..
however if you cannot link it, no problems

Hi

btw.
is AAG still active here ?

Yes - I still lurk here when I get the chance!

question : is GBPlayer compatible with GameBase v1.3 ?

I never updated GBPlayer to work with changes (new fields/etc) to the underlying access databases which James changed in Gamebase 1.3 - really because I thought there was a lack of interest in GBPlayer (and with 3 young kids I don't too much free time).

I only had any sort of feedback/contact with a handful of people here & even fewer from http://eab.abime.net/project-mage/ & fewer still from www.atari-forum.com

At home I run GBPlayer for my collections of pre 1.3 databases (GBAmiga/Atari ST/Acorn Mania etc), and run Gamebase 1.3 for the newer databases.

I'm not sure what would happen if you tried to load a 1.3 database in GBPlayer as I've never tried it - GBPlayer will definitely not update the underlying access database so there's no harm in trying.

If there's sufficient interest I could look at re-jigging my old code??? (I do still have it (somewhere)).

Hi AAG, i would be interested in an update, gamebase looks too plain these days.

Hi AAG,
I'm also interested in an update

Primary in "Video-Plugin" for EmuMovies and if possible for the feature "3D-Coveranimation"

Look at this Clip, so you see what i mean :
(Using Frontend eCC2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9wpXNdYDUg

and here is how it looks now in my Gamebase project :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m_seBPH ... e=youtu.be

here you can DL a 3D-Coveranimation for testing :
http://www.sendspace.com/file/qehn0x

would be nice to have this 2 features included the GUI (like in eCC2) , and not as "pop-up-windows"

This Feature request goes also to Jimbo's GB v1.4