Building a Console

Post by **kyuu** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 7:59 pm

Hello.

I just had an idea, that I´ve never really heard of being realised, so I just wanted to ask:

Is there some kind of Emulation OS ?

Explanation:
You have this OS on your pc.
You put an Playstation Cd(example) into the CD Drive and it just starts the game.

Just like an normal Console.

Is there something like this?
Or did you think about something like this, too?

fG

Post by **racketboy** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:10 pm

I haven't seen a dedicated emulation OS to the extent that I've seen some media center Linux distros.

There are some good MAME frontends that are kinda like an OS for arcade cabinets, but I'm not sure if they do much with console stuff.

Personally, I use Maximus Arcade (costs like $25) which you could have start when Windows starts up (or have as a link in Media Center like me)
It's not perfect, but its possibly the best multi-console front-end I've seen. But you have to also install all the other emulators and configure them and such. Haven't tried the PS1 emu with actual discs, but it works great with ISOs.

Post by **kyuu** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:25 pm

Well im thinking about customizing my Debian and make it start up as fast as possible and giving me a list of consoles at start.(in the console x server working on another level) so i can choose the emulator and put in the cd for it and it starts automatically.

but well...
no idea wether it will work.

And the most important is the startup time.
I want it to be just like an everything-in-1-console. :wink:

But it will stay a dream... probably...

Post by **racketboy** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:31 pm

kyuu wrote:Well im thinking about customizing my Debian and make it start up as fast as possible and giving me a list of consoles at start.(in the console x server working on another level) so i can choose the emulator and put in the cd for it and it starts automatically.

but well...
no idea wether it will work.

And the most important is the startup time.
I want it to be just like an everything-in-1-console.

But it will stay a dream... probably...

Well if you do start a project, be sure to document it so we could turn it into a full guide or something.
I'm sure others would be interested in it!

Post by **kyuu** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:38 pm

Problem:

I can write scripts for linux but i cant change anything in the emulators:
meaning: autoloading cds/roms on the cds.

So with that it would not turn into a complete all-in-1-console ;D

But well i will start and see how far i get.

So while i start:
What do you think:
which are the best emulators for linux?

Post by **GSZX1337** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 11:41 pm

kyuu wrote:which are the best emulators for linux?

I've noticed that every good emu for Windows (FCE Ultra, Gens, ZSNES, etc.) has a Linux port.

Post by **kyuu** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 1:44 pm

Well Ive written most of the Script by now.(including 3 install scripts of emulators(Mega Drive and Playstation, NES))(but have to say that its extremely messy)

Just a few things:

What do you think:
Is it ok to use a x-server(no gnome or such) + the script as selfstarter?

Would be the easiest thing, cause the Emulators after all need an x-server

Post by **marurun** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 2:49 pm

Sounds good to me. Just remember to strip that Linux install down as bare as you can go. You want as many resources as possible going to the emulators. You might want to look at some of the modern system schedulers and find one that's optimized for games rather than general system performance.

If you can get something together that's viable even on very low end hardware people could buy ITX boxes and have some low-power gaming joy.

Also, the ability to manipulate the boot menu and the system by game pad/joy stick alone (no need for a keyboard) would really help.

Post by **kyuu** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:15 pm

Question is wether you want to use more than one OS on the pc you will be installing it on.

Problem: how do you want to load the driver for the gamepad in the bootmenu.
even usb hold many problems, until it was resolved extremely late.(meaning impossible for me, cause im not an c coder)

If somebody wants to help---> scream loud!!!

More problems:
Gamepad as mouse will be hard, but i will see wether it is possible for me.

but first on the roadmap is the script, then a complete working script, after that an optimized build of linux.
after that will be making everything look better and better controlable.
Means: i will make things like an gtk+ frontend and gamepad as mouse after everything is done.
With more people, it will of course be faster.

How things stand:
3. NES(works only partly)"
4. Snes(not implemented)"
5. Gameboy Advance(not implemented)"
6. Nintendo 64(Implemented; not tested)"
7. Playstation(not tested)"
8. Playstation2(not implemented)"
9. Mega Drive(only partly)"
10. Dreamcast(installation implemented, emulator itself does not work)"
11. NeoGeo(not implemented)"

If you want something good, I will really need help.
As I said:
I can optimise Linux and program the script, but very little beyond that.(like you said gamepad in boot menu or in linux as mouse)
I wont even be able to test the emulators for working pad compatiblity cause i have no gampad that works on linux ;D
Have to search for one.

AGAIN:
IF YOU WANT TO HELP----> SCREAM LOUDLY!!!

Post by **dudex77** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 4:26 pm

Sounds like what you want is GameEx. It's a windows frontend setup for emulators and alot of media actually. It works pretty well from my experience and worth a try at least. for using a gamepad as a mouse search "easy joymouse"