@pjft Would it be possible to write a batch script or something that could be run once to simply and easily categorize large quantities of roms without duplication?

My idea is something that works like this. It 'feels' like it would be easy for someone who does these sorts of things, but I know nothing so I could be very wrong.

in '/roms/nes' you make the directory 'Top 50' (or subcategorize by genre, etc.)
You move your top 50 roms from '/roms/nes' to /roms/nes/Top 50'
You put the 'categorize_roms.bat' into '/roms/nes/Top 50' and run it

The .bat file would then take all the roms in the folder, move them back up to '/roms/nes' and replace them with symlinks to each rom in the subfolder.

Obviously replace .bat with whatever kind of script you prefer - I'm working with limited knowledge here.

Is this doable?

@thelostsoul I used the scrip for your genesis custom collection....
2 files are missing....

Sonic Blast .... This file is not in my collection, so impossible to find DECapAttack ... That's an error in writing, so no chance to discover

oUTPUT OF LOG
https://pastebin.com/9L9D3iU6

@clyde that is indeed a phone induced typo :)

@arambecker No my approach would be a bit more.
A tool to find duplicates.
As I said in my first post. If you have selections of several regions.

Maybe 1000 roms it would be usefull to search for a gametitle and to select duplicates.

Game 1 (J) Game 1 (U) Game 2 (JUE) Game 3 (J) Game 3 (E)

You already programmed delimiter so there needs "just" to generate an automatic search term.
That's not the way your script is intended to work and I think it will need a heavy rework. But this would be usecase, too

ROM Names > Automatic generated search term Game 1 (J) > Game 1 ( Game 1 (U) > Game 1 ( Game 2 (JUE) > Game 2 ( Game 3 (J) > Game 3 ( Game 3 (E) > Game 3 (

Maybe @meleu can say more to this?

Welcome on board :)

@beest It's hard coded into ES at the minute. I'm afraid you are going to have to edit the source and compile a custom version.
It would be nice to have the option though. It obviously depends on your individual use-case but you could tell similarly named games apart from the box art.

My microSD card became corrupt and I had to revisit this issue, and I just realized I never thanked you guys! Thanks for helping me twice!!!

To create "genre" grouped roms, I'd duplicate an existing system (e.g. Arcade), rename it to the "genre" you like, replace system logos and place the roms in a dedicated folders.
Edit runcommand for the different roms accordingly.
Sure there are more clever ways to do that but this is quite easy and quick.

@alturis I'm not fully sure about the theming aspects of it, and how that's structured.

The custom-collection theme folder has the theme settings for all the custom collections that will be grouped under the "my collections" err... collection, as sub-folders.

You won't be able to further customize them there - there is a single theme/layout for each ES "system".

If, however, you're looking to add specific custom collection artwork, add them to the root of the theme. Look at some of the other custom collections (mario, kids, shmups) in that theme for a good example. These will show at the main carousel level, though, not inside the "My Collections" folder.

Has anyone gotten this to work? I see there are video tutorials regarding getting art on systems however this is a "Collection" and could draw from multiple systems and emulators. When just adding a system with new art there are ROM folders for the ROMS...this won't have that. Anyone have a solution yet for this? (Im trying to add art to the Tronkyfrank themes "collections" but can't figure it out.

@meleu like a genki-dama, I'm sending my energy and good vibes to you. Thanks

@pjft said in Please Test: Creating Custom Collections:

If you'd want to enable something like this, perhaps a workaround could be a mix of this method and the other method for custom collections based on symlinks, or even just the other method altogether.

Yeah, I first started with this method. Had the gamelist.xml all sorted out and everything. But for some reason the runcustom.sh wasn't working for me there. You can see the last comment that I made on that topic.

Either way, what I have now works for me, just thought it would be a cool expansion on this useful tool.

Thanks again

Updated the OP to indicate this problem is solved, and the solution.