Nice MAME2003 overlays repository

[UDb23]

@meleu This is the retroarch.cfg file (one in each SYSTEMNAME subfolder).
I enclosed the lines to be added with"# Start " .... " #End" lines.
Just tested it for NES and it works fine.
The cfg file in the overlays folder follows same structure as usual cfg files in that folder (same as used for mame2003 so far).

# Settings made here will only override settings in the global retroarch.cfg if placed above the #include line

# Start Overlay cfg
video_scale_integer = true

input_overlay = /opt/retropie/emulators/retroarch/overlays/arcade-bezels/SYSTEMNAME-ovl.cfg
input_overlay_enable = true
input_overlay_opacity = 0.900000
input_overlay_scale = 1.000000
# End overlay cfg

input_remapping_directory = "/opt/retropie/configs/nes/"

#include "/opt/retropie/configs/all/retroarch.cfg"

[meleu]

@UDb23 OK. My suggestion is to put in the repository only the lines between the # Start and # End lines.

[UDb23]

@meleu said in Nice MAME2003 overlays repository:

I'm holding back myself from asking you to do an overlay for Atari 2600 Seaquest game

mmm... no longer really holding back it seems.

OK will check for that game artwork.... but this means you'll have to manage "per game" overlays for Atari (or consoles in general) too ;-)

Proposal: what if in each "system"folder in the github repo (arcade, atari2600 etc) , in addition to games folders we create a "generic" folder and we place generic overlays into these (following existing naming conventions, so that there may exist also multiple generic overlays for each system that user can choose) ?
Script should then manage game subfolders as it already does and the generic subfolder with specific retroarch.cfg editing as mentioned above.

BTW: Atari... never owned one; my girlfriend did. And she'd really love to be able to play THAT Space invaders again. Of course we played it on Retropie with lr-stella but...
was able to find all required REAL items on ebay from different sellers... took some time..
and:

She couldn't believe it. We have a real working atari2600 (jr) now :-).

[UDb23]

@meleu sure. I believe these will be the same lines for all consoles, apart from opacity settings that can be different depending how "aggressive: the overlay colors are.

[meleu]

@UDb23 said in Nice MAME2003 overlays repository:

Proposal: what if in each "system"folder in the github repo (arcade, atari2600 etc) , in addition to games folders we create a "generic" folder and we place generic overlays into these?

Good, but I suggest the name _generic with an underscore. I don't think there is any game called "generic" to conflict, but this will always keep the item at the top of the menu dialog.

[UDb23]

@meleu ok

[UDb23]

requires some cleanup.. but found it ;-)

[meleu]

@Rookervik did a splashscreen that I use as the seaquest launching image: https://retropie.org.uk/forum/post/48699

Now with an overlay it will look awesome! I'm sure I'll beat the @cabrunco 's score! :-)

[UDb23]

@meleu Check this.
;-)

[backstander]

@UDb23 said in Nice MAME2003 overlays repository:

if @meleu agrees, it requires the script to do so and someone to create the cfgs and place them in the right folder. I can do it for the most "common" versions for each rom; if others want to contribute with thru github: feel free :-)
Note: creating cfgs for different version, as mentioned by @meleu, is just renaming the cfg!

I think this could be do-able. UDb23 could just make symbolic link files to the parent zip.cfgs for all the known compatible clones in his github. Maybe meleu's script could have an option to either install overlays for just the parent ROM or for both the parent & known clones (the clones that UDb23 has setup).

The symbolic link files only need to links to a file in the same directory so it could be compatible for any Linux OS running lr-mame2003 (like Ubuntu/x86 with RetroPie installed).

Also @meleu I noticed a bug in your script. When you go into an game's overlay from the main menu and then you hit "cancel" it exits the script but it probably should just take you back to the main menu. If you hit "cancel" at the main menu then it should exit the script. I hope that make since to you ;-)

update
found another bug...if you hit "cancel" at the main menu, it does the exact same as "continue" and enters that menu.

[meleu]

@backstander Good point. Thanks for the feedback. I'll improve the user experience when I have a chance. ;-)

[backstander]

Thank you @meleu for writing these cool scripts!

[Graboid]

Just to further complicate things, are you able to add support for 4x3 overlays? I've created some based on the awesome artwork that UDb23 has done, an example of some are below. Looks awesome on my 1280 x 1024 LCD

Space Invaders (4x3 Ratio)

Ms. Pacman (4x3 Ratio)

Millipede (4x3 Ratio)

Tempest (4x3 Ratio)

Donkey Kong (4x3 ratio)

[meleu]

@Graboid Yeah, it would be useful. I'm a bit busy in these days, but you can talk with @UDb23 about a naming convention and if he aggree to store those 4x3 overlays and cfgs in his repository I'll adapt the script accordingly.

Cheers!

[UDb23]

@Graboid Considering current folder structure and naming, and also taking into consideration future additional implementations, we could think of creating subfolders in each game directory (in the repository) for additional specific screen resolutions.
I would keep the 1080p 16:9 in the actual game folder as it is the most common standard and add mentioned subfolders for other resolutions.
In your case subfolder should be called RES_1280_1024.
the RES_x_y naming should allow @meleu's script to identify additional available resolutions and manage selections accordingly.
Files inside the subfolder should then follow current naming convention.

[Brigane]

How do I update the repository on my Pi so I can find the new Elevator Action overlay and also for future reference?

[meleu]

@Brigane Good question. I'll try to make an update procedure.

For now, you must clone the repository again...

[UDb23]

@meleu GBA generic overlay and GBA Game & Watch Gallery 4 uploaded to Repo.

[meleu]

@UDb23 I hope to have time to work on the script next weekend. ;-)
Small ToDo list:

• auto update overlay's list
• console system's overlays support

[UDb23]

there's no hurry. It's a hobby.
Already enough stressful things in life :-)