Question about creating custom MAME collections/lists in MA

[MeanMachine]

Hi gang,

     I've had Maximus Arcade for awhile but can't seem to get it to do exactly what I want it to do. I've watched the LumberJackass videos and searched here through the forum.

    My question is this: What's the easiest way to setup multiple MAME collections/lists on the top tier of MA with the other emulators?

     I originally wanted to use my custom ini folders of roms but MA doesn't seem to have an option to include ini files. Now I'm thinking the easiest option may just be setting up/creating multiple MAME folders and only putting my specific collections in different rom folders.  Confused?

     What I'm trying to do is have a collection of Shooters, a collection of Fighters, a collection of Old Skool games, etc. all available as soon as MA starts up without having to go to MAME and then use the drop down list. So basically each would take the place of one of my unused emulators.

     I think the LumberJackass basically did the same thing but with multiple MAME versions with his setup as found in this topic: https://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=104617.0

     Anyway, I've tried multiple options but MA just doesn't want to cooperate. I tried putting my collections in the main ROM folder and then into specific folders like ROMS - Shooters, ROMS - Fighters, ROMS - Beat em Ups, etc. But once I configured the emulator and pointed it to the right folder sometimes it would work and sometimes it wouldn't. 

    So long story short, unless you all have an easier way to do it my next option is to go with multiple MAME folders and put my specific rom collections in each one and then hijack one of my unused emulators.

Let me know what you think. Thanks.

[thomas_surles]

What if you took your mame folder with your mame emu and roms and made a few copies of it.
It would mean doubling,  tripling, or quadrupling the size but it wold work.

[MeanMachine]

What if you took your mame folder with your mame emu and roms and made a few copies of it.
It would mean doubling,  tripling, or quadrupling the size but it wold work.

Yup, that's what I was trying to say but you summed it up quite well. Thanks for the confirmation though.  Now to just give it a shot and see if it works for me.

[jaharr01]

There is an option to to set up favorites in the setup. I just made a favorite folder for every genre that I wanted and made a keystroke to switch between different favorites. Works well for me without having to screw with moving folders

[thomas_surles]

There is an option to to set up favorites in the setup. I just made a favorite folder for every genre that I wanted and made a keystroke to switch between different favorites. Works well for me without having to screw with moving folders

Thats what I did as well.  But I do like the approach to have the genres in the emu select screen.