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Networked Mame Games?
Kilroy01:
Thanks Kremmit. That is the answer that I have been looking for. Guess I should have specified dual-POV games.
I know that even the fastest PC's can't handle some games, much less run dual-instances of the games, but has any attempt been made toward the games that ran on singular hardware?
tetsu96:
--- Quote from: Kremmit on March 22, 2007, 11:24:14 pm ---The problem is with games that network across multiple cabs- one solution would be for the MAMEDevs to find a way to carry the game's native communication protocol over TCP/IP. It could probably be made to work for computers networked locally, but the lag would probably make in unworkable for 'net play.
The other way to make it work would be to run multiple instances of MAME on one PC, and virtualize the networking between MAME instances. I don't think current consumer-grade PC hardware is up to that task yet, considering the games we're talking about now are all fairly modern, and slow in emulation already.
Still, it'd be fun- I'd like to play Cyber Sled at home.
--- End quote ---
I hear ya there and yeah, they'll probably be networking those together at some point (I thought it sounded like I was talking multiplayer with just single cabs since I made the reference to Crusin USA - that was multiple cabs linked together (and Cybersled is, and Daytona when that gets emulated, and I don't think I played the grid but I get the point, etc). The issue comes to how to emulate the link because of the proprietary communications. Is the best approach to use TCP/IP and tunnel the proprietary protocol through that? Link machines together using USB or Parallel Ports?
I actually thought that the linking code in Cruisin was emulated but just connected to null via code. Maybe someone who keeps track can give the scoop.
And who knows as far as multiple instances on one box. I was about to say I doubt that'll happen, but with dual core getting more popular and memory / CPU increases, who knows.
Kilroy01:
Went back and checked and the cab was originally a Time Crisis II cab. It's what got me interested in the subject.
According the mamedatabase.com, it is in the works, but still listed as unplayable. The screen resolution is listed as 1024x480, so I'm assuming that's covering both screens. Isn't this games a dual-POV? According to KLOV, it allowed for solo play or linked play, but it says that solo in 1st player locks out the other player. Wasn't it just locked out of joining the 1st game but able to start and play a 2nd game independently, but simultaneous with the 1st?
I never got to play this one, so I am unfamiliar with it.
KenToad:
--- Quote from: Kremmit on March 22, 2007, 11:24:14 pm ---
Still, it'd be fun- I'd like to play Cyber Sled at home.
--- End quote ---
True, Cybersled is not a bad game and I did throw a few Alladin's Castle tokens in there once upon a time.
SavannahLion:
Maybe a dumb thought here, correct me if I'm wrong.
Haven't we reached the point now where some of the more modern arcades run a stripped down Windows? I've seen BSODs on more than a few machines lately.
The segment of games that would require linking emulation would be relatively small. As more and more modern games are run on top of an OS like Windows, then there would be no doubt that the networking code (if any existed) would be TCP/IP or something similar.
Of course, if that were true, then the MAMEDEV team has a bigger project on their hands since they might end up having to emulate the OS when newer versions drop legacy support. The WINE and Cedega teams has a hard enough time keeping their ---Cleveland steamer--- together during updates.
Of course, I could be completely wrong about the BSOD's and what I saw were just bootleg systems running Windows.