Emulator launcher and controller configurator

[davejuk]

I think you are going out of your way to shoot down the idea and in doing so have not grasped what I am actually proposing.

Thing is you only need do it once for each emulator. Once the controller is set up you're good to go for the future.
As far as a universal configurator is concerned, I don't think specifically that its necessarily complex from a coding perspective, more from the fact that, that code will need to address multiple different emulators that all configure their controls in different ways some coded internally, some via config or text files, some via drop down menu and some via external plug-ins.

It is not relevant whether an emulator presents its configuration options in drop down menus, via plugins, etc. There are only two ways that it can store them - in a flat file (ini, xml, etc.) or in the registry. Both of these are very easy to manipulate programatically.

Then there's the fact that from emulated system to emulated system you don't necessarily want your controller set up in the same way, dependent on what controller you're using with the emulator and what the original controller was like for the system you're emulating.

I agree. All I am proposing is that a user can modify their controller config for various emulators from a single location. A simple GUI might involve selecting Snes9x from a list and being shown a SNES controller with a text box by each button. The user then clicks a text box and presses the key they want to use. Repeat for each button - exactly the same as in the Snes9x options. Then they select Project64 from the list, an N64 controller is displayed, and they can go through each button on the N64 controller.

If they have a common controller (XBOX360, PS2 adapter, etc.) then they can select a default profile which configures it for all emulators. If they want to tweak something, then they can do so using the aforementioned process.

Any updates are distributed through a small XML config file which can be downloaded automatically at runtime, ensuring users always have the latest options.

By its nature the emulation community attracts gamers of a certain type, and while some greener users can struggle with some of the more modern emulators for systems like the Wii and PS2, I think you'll be hard pushed to find many that don't have the basic technical knowledge required to go into an options menu and select 'Controller Config' then press their controller buttons to correspond with the on screen prompt to 'press the button for up' for example.

A more technically capable user base is no excuse for an unnecessarily complex user experience.

From a more general standpoint, the emulation community has always been made up of a minority of interested enthusiasts, you have to ask the question should it really be made easier and more accessible for the casual crowd whose primary interest is simply in playing pirated games. Surely such things only serve to draw unwanted attention and counter productive PR to a community that currently receives a fair degree of unofficial support from the development community.
Taking Mamewah as an example, its incredibly convoluted and complicated to learn how to set it up initially, seeing off the vast majority of people who want to exploit it for gain or casual piracy. This prevents it from proliferating to a point where companies with commercial interests see it as a threat and kill it off.

This is an entirely seperate issue. You should never exclude any group of users through poor design.

[ulaoulao]

Your starting to figure it out I see..

I don't know what a globe UI is but it wouldn't be difficult.

A simple GUI might involve selecting Snes9x from a list and being shown a SNES controller with a text box by each button. The user then clicks a text box and presses the key they want to use. Repeat for each button - exactly the same as in the Snes9x options. Then they select Project64 from the list, an N64 controller is displayed, and they can go through each button on the N64 controller.

[davejuk]

Your starting to figure it out I see..

Sorry, are you saying my description is what you would call a globe UI? I have never come across that term before.

[ulaoulao]

GUI - Graphical user interface.
UI - user interface
Global - access from or to many.

Really basic programming concepts.

[davejuk]

Of course I know what a user interface is.

I'm going to back out of this discussion now as you clearly have an axe to grind. Considering you are a regular here, you're really quite rude and unhelpful.

[ulaoulao]

As you can see in post 1 and 7, I addressed your issues. The debating is of your own making. Both FT and my self have attempted to point out the errors in your logic. We have also both answered your questions. Your inability to accept the truth is not our fault.

Fact still remains, what you are proposing is not an "easy" feat. Boasting about your abilities to make such a "simple" mechanism is not going gain you leverage to win you argument. Your asking us for something that does not exist and claiming it takes nothing to engineer such a thing? So stop barking and get coding, as I said, you will see what we mean then.

This topic is here by closed per user request and an ongoing pointless debate.

p.s. In the event you do develop or come by such a thing I would be more then happy to reopen the thread. I think we can all agree of its usefulness regardless of our own opinions.