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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: MartyNg on November 12, 2006, 01:31:10 pm

Title: Start games up in "FREE PLAY" mode instead of installing coin buttons?
Post by: MartyNg on November 12, 2006, 01:31:10 pm

I'm brainstorming for a new control panel, and I was wondering if anyone knows a way to start all MAME games in "Free Play" mode instead of needing to bother with extra buttons, or with a "Shift function". This might be easier for guests if possible. Thanks.

Title: Re: Start games up in "FREE PLAY" mode instead of installing coin buttons?
Post by: squirrellydw on November 12, 2006, 04:21:49 pm

I know I have seen this asked before and if I recall some games can't be set to free play and I don't think there is a setting to set all games.  I think you would have to do each one.

I could be wrong, it does happen now and then  :)

Title: Re: Start games up in "FREE PLAY" mode instead of installing coin buttons?
Post by: Konrad on November 12, 2006, 05:54:09 pm

You're right Squirrel.

1. Not all games support freeplay (actually that are not just a few).
2. You'll have to set the dipswitches for each game which does.

Title: Re: Start games up in "FREE PLAY" mode instead of installing coin buttons?
Post by: Chris on November 13, 2006, 09:59:16 am

And they're not all set by dipswitches; some are set in service menus.

Title: Re: Start games up in "FREE PLAY" mode instead of installing coin buttons?
Post by: MinerAl on November 13, 2006, 02:22:41 pm

Lots of games won't do their attract mode/screen saver when set on free play.

Title: Re: Start games up in "FREE PLAY" mode instead of installing coin buttons?
Post by: miles2912 on November 13, 2006, 07:33:57 pm

Quote from: MartyNg on November 12, 2006, 01:31:10 pm

I'm brainstorming for a new control panel, and I was wondering if anyone knows a way to start all MAME games in "Free Play" mode instead of needing to bother with extra buttons, or with a "Shift function". This might be easier for guests if possible. Thanks.

Speaking from experience your guests will learn where the coin button is real quick.  Trust me on this  :)


D-

Title: Re: Start games up in "FREE PLAY" mode instead of installing coin buttons?
Post by: SirPeale on November 13, 2006, 08:21:59 pm

Quote from: MinerAl on November 13, 2006, 02:22:41 pm

Lots of games won't do their attract mode/screen saver when set on free play.

Luckily most home users won't be affected by this as either you won't stay one one game too long, or you'll shut the machine off when you're done.

Title: Re: Start games up in "FREE PLAY" mode instead of installing coin buttons?
Post by: NOP on November 14, 2006, 10:18:50 am

I'll have to chime in here too-I tried to set my machine up for a public show once, and tried to set all of the games my machine supports (120) to free play.  I'd say less than 1/3 of them had the dipswitches to do it, and there *always* seems to be at least 1 "gotta have" game that doesn't support it.

I even went so far as to try to auto-load cheat codes to drop quarters in for me at ROM bootup, but even then, some games only take 9 credits at a time, which would run out in a hurry during a party.  It was a disaster.

After futzing with it for a couple evenings, I gave up and installed a button near the coin door.
Luckily for me, some previous owner of my cabinet had installed a lock bar over the coin door, so I already had a button sized hole to use. ;D

-jeff!