ctrl file in mame - how to get the right system name

[blind_dado]

I read the wiki on how to edit ctrl files, which was very helpful, but I have a remaining question.  The wiki gives as an example, remapping the buttons for all NeoGeo games by using the system name “neogeo.”  But how would I know that was the name of the system?  When I look up, for example, Metal Slug on Maws (or use the mame command) it says that the driver source is neodrvr.c.  How do I get neogeo from that?  The reason I ask is that I’m trying to remap the buttons for all CapCom games and the only thing I can find is that the driver source for a particular CapCom game is cps2.c.  I put that for system name in my ctrl file, but it didn’t work.  I know the rest of the ctrl file works, because if I change the system name to mvsc (for just that game) it remaps the buttons just fine.  It’s just not doing it for all CapCom games.  I think I just need the correct system name.  Any ideas about how to find this out?

[Dazz]

I too am having issues with ctrl files...  I want to have a setup for Neo Geo and use my buttons, but even after reading the Wiki many times I still don't really understand how it works.


This is my button setup that I would like to setup:

P1:

. ASD
. ZXC
V

P2:

. UIO
. JKL
'

How would I set that up for using VZXC and 'JKL only for Neo Geo games?

[severdhed]

I read the wiki on how to edit ctrl files, which was very helpful, but I have a remaining question.  The wiki gives as an example, remapping the buttons for all NeoGeo games by using the system name “neogeo.”  But how would I know that was the name of the system?  When I look up, for example, Metal Slug on Maws (or use the mame command) it says that the driver source is neodrvr.c.  How do I get neogeo from that?  The reason I ask is that I’m trying to remap the buttons for all CapCom games and the only thing I can find is that the driver source for a particular CapCom game is cps2.c.  I put that for system name in my ctrl file, but it didn’t work.  I know the rest of the ctrl file works, because if I change the system name to mvsc (for just that game) it remaps the buttons just fine.  It’s just not doing it for all CapCom games.  I think I just need the correct system name.  Any ideas about how to find this out?

i dont know exactly what system name to use for capcom games...but to answer the question about the neogeo...

neogeo.zip is the bios rom file needed to play neogeo games.  i believe when you are specifying systems in the ctrl files, you specify the name of the bios file required.  (i'm not 100% certain on that, but i think that is how it works)

[Morpheus]

Hey Guys...

I wrote a program to create Mame CFG files automatically, basically because of the issues that you are having. A brief description:

I have a seven button layout on my control panel:
_000
0000
Pretty standard, the six buttons on the right for fighting games, bottom row of four butttons for Neo Geo, and other four button games. I started this project because I had made a CTLR file for NeoGeo games, but that left me with 234 Non-NeoGeo, no-clone, four button games that didn't use the 4 button layout that I wanted. Another example would be that for trackball games, you could map buttons on either side of the trackball to be used in the games, so that either hand could be used for the trackball. I wanted a way to mass produce Mame Cfgs based on options that I could choose myself.

You can find the program here: http://www.gameex.info/forums/index.php?showtopic=6843&st=0&gopid=51476&#entry51476

I am Tempest on the GameEx forums, if you have any questions, post in that thread, I check it often...

[headkaze]

How would I set that up for using VZXC and 'JKL only for Neo Geo games?

A single "neogeo" entry in a ctrlr file would suffice. I think u_rebelscum has some decent instructions here.

[u_rebelscum]

neogeo.zip is the bios rom file needed to play neogeo games.  i believe when you are specifying systems in the ctrl files, you specify the name of the bios file required.  (i'm not 100% certain on that, but i think that is how it works)

System name can be gamename, parent gamename, bios name, driver source file, and "default".  The neogeo games in the example are using the bios name.  You could also use "neodrvr.c".  Usually, if a bios is used, all and only the games in one driver file use that bios, so they are basically at the same "level".

I think one of two things are happening for the capcom games.  Either the capcom system is placed before another system that over rides it, or there is cfg/cfg files for the game that over ride the ctrlr file.  The latter is possible is the game was remapped the normal way (and saved in the cfg file), as cfg files over ride ctrlr file settings.  The former is due to the fact that mame goes through the ctrlr file once, from beginning to end, and applies each relivent system as they are placed in the ctrlr file.  So if you have system cps1.c before "default" system in the ctrlr file, mame will apply the cps1.c map, then the default map, over writing the prior system (assuming they map the same stuff, of course).

Capcom games are in many drivers, and don't use bios (usually).  There are a few ways to get the driver name.  Maws is the easiest, but I find mame -ls (aka mame -listsource) is faster for me.  I also am begin to really like the new -listbrothers (or -lb for short), as it lists the driver file and all other games that use that driver file.  Going through the -listxml is also a way, but -ls, -lb and Maws are faster IMO.

Anyways, back to capcom.  Let's take the Street Fighter family of games.  Quick Maws search gets 21 parents with street fighter in the name, in eight different drivers (cps3.c, cps2.c, cps1.c, zn.c, naomi.c, sftm.c, ssf2md.c, & sf.c).  The last three drivers only are for that game & clones, so you come just use the parent name with the same effect.  However, the other drivers have many non-sf type games that you might want a different map than SF2 (use maws or -lb for list of other ). 


Dazz, have you read the wiki page?  Basically, map using mame's Input (general) the normal default for most games (p1b1 = A, p1b2 = s, etc), move cfg/default.cfg file to ctrlr folder, repeat mapping this time for neogeo games again in Inputs (gerenal) (p1b1 = V, p1b2 = Z, etc), rename that system name to neogeo (or neodrvr.c), and copy that system into the ctrlr file.  More details are in the wiki, but if you have any problems let me know.

[blind_dado]

Wow, thanks for the detailed info, u_rebelscum.  I got it working exactly like I wanted now.  I was just putting in the wrong system name, but now I know how to find the correct one, so everything's good.