Author Topic: Here is how to display multiple Sega emulator games in one MALA game list (Read 13882 times)

unclet · « **on:** July 13, 2007, 11:15:39 pm »

BYOAC member "squirrellydw" asked me if I knew of a way to have MALA group all of his different Sega emulator games (Genesis, 32x, Gamegear and MasterSystem) into one MALA gamelist. This is what I came up with. There might be another way, but this is what first came to mind.

1) UnZip "MalaSega.zip" file (see attached file) to find the "MalaSega.bat" file and place the BAT file in a location (ex: G:\Sega\MalaSega.bat)

2) Group your Sega ROM files like this:

G:\Sega Roms\32x\(rom files).zip
G:\Sega Roms\GameGear\(rom files).zip
G:\Sega Roms\Genesis\(rom files).zip
G:\Sega Roms\MasterSystem\(rom files).zip

Note: You can use any directories you want for storage, but all the Rom files must be located under one main directory (ex: Sega Roms).

3) Edit the "MalaSega.bat" file and set the directory locations of your Sega Roms and also set the directory location of the fusion emulator executable. These updates will be pretty obvious once you edit the BAT file. Save your changes of course.

4) In MALA, open the Options menu and create a new emulator (ex: Sega) and set the following fields:

Executable = G:\Sega\MakeSega.bat
Rom Path = G:\Sega Roms (make sure to check the "Search in Subfolders" checkbox)
Rom Extension = zip

Window State = Hidden
Command Line = "%path%" "%path%\%rom%.%ext%" <-- include the double quotes
^
|____ space character

5) Click OK button to save everything and exit out of the Options menu

6) Goto the "Sega" emulator in MALA and refresh the gamelist and you should see all the Sega games from all the emulators listed together in one list

7) Select any game and it should run

I created this pretty quick and tested it quickly as well .... but it seems to work.

PS: This BAT file could easily be updated for other emulators as well such as Nintendo, Gameboy, Atari, etc...

loadman · « **Reply #1 on:** July 13, 2007, 11:23:32 pm »

If you are happy with this procedure I will paste it into the Wiki

SGT · « **Reply #2 on:** July 14, 2007, 12:09:20 am »

You can also use the same technique to combine emulators with Mame into one Mala gamelist:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=68419.0

unclet · « **Reply #3 on:** July 14, 2007, 05:44:18 am »

Loadman:
You can add it to the Wiki if you want

If people decide there is a better way, then we can update it later

SGT:
Quickly looking at your setup, I think we are doing something similiar by determining which emulator the game is related to by looking at the %path% parameter supplied by MALA. My BAT file simply looks for a pathname match to determine how the emulator should be called to start it up.

Your procedure seems to get a bit more involved which might be a requirement add games from other emulators into the "Mame" gamelist? I did not look into how to add other emulator games into the main Mame gamelist. I just wanted a simple way of grouping other related emulators together in their own game list (ie: all Sega games together, all Nintendo games together, all Atari games together, etc....), I prefer to leave my Mame gamelist as is .... since there are so many games in it already I would be afraid any other games from other emulators would get lost in there

SGT · « **Reply #4 on:** July 14, 2007, 10:00:00 am »

Quote

Your procedure seems to get a bit more involved which might be a requirement add games from other emulators into the "Mame" gamelist?

No, the two are exactly the same (except you're using the other emu config) if you are combining other emulators that share the same roms with Mame. The only EXTRA step is if you want to combine emulators that run games that are not a part of mame. Then you have to add a small entry to mame.xml.

Quote

I prefer to leave my Mame gamelist as is .... since

I see your point, but on the other hand you can put all the Daphne games in a gamelist called Laser Games, for example, without having to tell Mala to change emulators. You can also run radikalb using Giles radikalb emulator without a guest have to switch to the Radikalb emulator for a gamelist that only has one game in it. You can also run the new M2 emulator which runs Mame roms and put Daytona into your normal Mame racing games. It just makes it a lot easier for guests using your cab to find games without have to hunt and peck through a lot of different emulators

Don't get me wrong. I still use the other_emu config for things like Project64 and Visual Pinwall. Those are the types of games that do not look right mixed in with other Mame games.

squirrellydw · « **Reply #5 on:** July 14, 2007, 12:21:34 pm »

I tried this but when I go to launch a game it stops at the mala loading screen

unclet · « **Reply #6 on:** July 14, 2007, 01:00:22 pm »

That probably means the BAT file is not working for you so the game never really starts.

Are you sure you have the "space character" between the two parameters used for the MALA "Command Line" setting:

"%path%" "%path%\%rom%.%ext%"
^
|____ space character

Please post the "MalaSega.bat" file which you have editted and are currently using so I can have a look at it.

You can also try to test whether the BAT file works for you outside of MALA by opening a Command Prompt window (Start/Programs/Accessories/Command Prompt) and then starting the BAT file manually.

Example: (change the example paths below to the correct locations which you use)

"G:\Dir Path\MalaSega" "G:\Sega Roms\Genesis" "G:\Sega Roms\Genesis\Addams Family.zip"

** If the paths are set correctly in the BAT file, then the fusion emulator should start the "Addams Family" game.

squirrellydw · « **Reply #7 on:** July 14, 2007, 01:26:37 pm »

here you go, I tried rinning it from the cmd prompt but it didn't work. It's not case sensitive is it?

unclet · « **Reply #8 on:** July 14, 2007, 01:35:54 pm »

I tested with your setup and it worked for me, however here are a couple things which you might need to try when testing again via the command line.

1) Executing via the command window IS case sensitive. The rom paths which you type in at the command prompt must be the same "case" as the rom path you have in the BAT file.

example: "C:\Emulators\Sega\fusion351\Sega Roms\Genesis" should work
"C:\Emulators\Sega\fusion351\Sega Roms\genesis" WILL NOT work.

2) Also, lets try to add double quotes around the directory path of the "MalaSega.bat" file in case you have a space character in the directory path somewhere.

So based on your configuration, try the following "one line" command:

Example:

"C:\DirPath\MalaSega" "C:\Emulators\Sega\fusion351\Sega Roms\Genesis" "C:\Emulators\Sega\fusion351\Sega Roms\Genesis\Addams Family.zip"

Note: Notice the double quotes on the BOLD part. Also, update the bold part to the correct path to your "MalaSega.bat" file

If that does not work, then tell me the following:

1) What is the path of the "MalaSega.bat" file?

2) Does the fusion emulator run the "Addams Family.zip" game (or which ever game you are testing with) normally without trying to use the BAT file? Which game are you testing?

3) Provide me the exact command line text you are entering for testing

squirrellydw · « **Reply #9 on:** July 14, 2007, 02:05:41 pm »

yup, it works fine that way. Just can't get the bat file working. I changed the case sensitivity but still no good.

anything look wrong in my bat file?

unclet · « **Reply #10 on:** July 14, 2007, 02:18:15 pm »

I updated my last post, so please re-read and let me know how it goes .....

squirrellydw · « **Reply #11 on:** July 14, 2007, 02:29:22 pm »

going to test it now, is there anything I need to do in fusion itself??

unclet · « **Reply #12 on:** July 14, 2007, 02:48:53 pm »

Lets take it one step at a time. It should not be hard to get it working. I am using Fusion v3.51 as well and it works fine. I just have to figure out what piece you are missing.

Although, I am assuming your games (ie: Rom files) are fine and already work in fusion .... is this correct?

squirrellydw · « **Reply #13 on:** July 14, 2007, 02:56:30 pm »

It launched fusion but the game did not load, all snow.

Addams Family works fine when I use it through fusion itself. I browse to fine the game and select it and it plays fine

I entered the exact same info you posted but I had to change fusion351 to Fusion351 (cap F)

the MalaSega bat file is in the Fusion351 folder which has the fusion.exe

unclet · « **Reply #14 on:** July 14, 2007, 03:19:47 pm »

What is the exact command you are typing at the command prompt?

squirrellydw · « **Reply #15 on:** July 14, 2007, 03:24:58 pm »

"C:\Emulators\Sega\Fusion351\MalaSega" "C:\Emulators\Sega\Fusion351\Sega Roms\Genesis" "C:\Emulators\Sega\Fusion351\Sega Roms\Genesis\Addams Family.zip"

Is this what you mean? I am using to different computers here so I can't copy and paste

unclet · « **Reply #16 on:** July 14, 2007, 03:29:53 pm »

Well, that looks exactly what I would expect it to look like .....

You say fusion starts and you see snow. Is fusion starting up in fullscreen mode or does it starts in a little window? If it is in a little window then for some reason fusion does not want to go into fullscreen mode even though we are trying to tell it to.

Double-click the "fusion.exe" and go into "Video/Full Screen Resolution" option and verify you selected a good full screen resolution which your monitor can support. Check the other video settings as well.

squirrellydw · « **Reply #17 on:** July 14, 2007, 03:36:25 pm »

little window going to check

unclet · « **Reply #18 on:** July 14, 2007, 03:40:27 pm »

If you click on "fusion.exe" file then it should open up in a little window (with snow). Check your options

Here is how I have my options (although I am on a computer monitor right now):

Country: USA(checked), Auto Detect(checked)
Video/Window Size: 320x240
Video/Full Screen Resolution: 800x600
Video: Scanlines 0%, Normal, Filtered
Sound: 44100Hz
Options/Set Config: (set your BIOS files and paths here for each emu)

squirrellydw · « **Reply #19 on:** July 14, 2007, 03:42:28 pm »

Quote from: unclet on July 14, 2007, 03:40:27 pm

If you click on "fusion.exe" file then it should open up in a little window (with snow). Check your options

Here is how I have my options (although I am on a computer monitor right now):

Country: USA(checked), Auto Detect(checked)
Video/Window Size: 320x240
Video/Full Screen Resolution: 800x600
Video: Scanlines 0%, Normal, Filtered
Sound: 44100Hz
Options/Set Config: (set your BIOS files and paths here for each emu)

I will go check, not sure what needs to be done here
Options/Set Config: (set your BIOS files and paths here for each emu)

also I unchecked hidden under mala and I can now see snow, almost full screen but not quit. I use esc to exit the emu.

squirrellydw · « **Reply #20 on:** July 14, 2007, 03:50:20 pm »

Country USA, Auto
Video/window size 960x720
Video full screen 1024x768
Video: Scanlines 0%, Normal, Filtered
Sound: 44100Hz
Options/Set Config: Nothing is set in bios

unclet · « **Reply #21 on:** July 14, 2007, 03:54:28 pm »

No need to involve MALA just yet ..... lets take that out of the picture until we figure out why you can not execute it via the commandline ... ok

If you double-click on "fusion.exe" file, then a little window should be displayed which is simply snow. Click on the Options menu, then click "Set Config" to bring up the configuration window. Since we are dealing with "Genesis" right now, click on the "Genesis" tab and verify you have the "BIOS file" path correctly set to your "Genesis_OS_ROM.bin" file. Do you have this file?

** I also created directories called "SRM files", "State Files" and "Patch Files" under my "Genesis" emulator directory location and set these directory paths in this option menu as well.

squirrellydw · « **Reply #22 on:** July 14, 2007, 04:00:51 pm »

I don't seem to have Genesis_OS_ROM.bin

unclet · « **Reply #23 on:** July 14, 2007, 04:27:35 pm »

Well make sure you locate your Genesis ROM file and set up the path correctly, then let me know whether you can start the Genesis game from the command line using MalaSega now.

Also you might want to try changing the "Video/Full Screen Resolution" settings to other values and see if something else works. Are you using an arcade monitor, PC monitor or TV?

squirrellydw · « **Reply #24 on:** July 14, 2007, 04:58:29 pm »

Nope, still the same thing, all snow. I tried changing the video and I am using an arcade monitor

unclet · « **Reply #25 on:** July 14, 2007, 05:07:44 pm »

Ugghh .... stubborn.

Ok, lets try this ..... edit the "MalaSega.bat" file and change the first line from "@echo off" to "@echo on" then save it.

Now issue your command as follows:

"C:\Emulators\Sega\Fusion351\MalaSega" "C:\Emulators\Sega\Fusion351\Sega Roms\Genesis" "C:\Emulators\Sega\Fusion351\Sega Roms\Genesis\Addams Family.zip"

You will see a bunch of stuff scroll through the command window. Send me everything which is displayed as well as sending me your "MalaSega.bat" file again

.

You can copy the window contents by right clicking on the command window blue title bar and selecting Edit/Mark. You can now mark the text in the command window by right clicking with your mouse in the window and (while the right mouse is held down) move your mouse to highlight the text. Once everything is highlighted, right click on the title bar again and choose "Edit/Copy". Then the contents will be in the clipboard, so you send paste it into this post as a reply.

If I can not find anything wrong with the text you send me, I would have to ask you to test this on a PC monitor rather than your arcade monitor ....... but lets see what the data shows me that you send.

squirrellydw · « **Reply #26 on:** July 14, 2007, 05:25:15 pm »

ummmm, please don't kill me but it worked. I was forgetting the last " after zip

unclet · « **Reply #27 on:** July 14, 2007, 05:28:33 pm »

just kidding .....

Glad it worked .......

squirrellydw · « **Reply #28 on:** July 14, 2007, 05:29:19 pm »

Still the same thing in mala though, snow and small window.

unclet · « **Reply #29 on:** July 14, 2007, 05:54:10 pm »

I would assume that means that the "Command Line" setting in MALA is missing a double-quote as well. The "snow" is caused by the emulator (fusion) being started but then it can not figure out what game to play. Kind of like simply double-clicking on the "fusion.exe" directly ..... it will open a window which has snow in it, waiting for you to do something. This is what is happening now. Fusion is being opened, but somehow the path to the ROM file is not working correctly.

The Command Line setting should be the following:

Command Line = "%path%" "%path%\%rom%.%ext%" <-- include the double quotes
^
|____ space character

If you do not think this is the case, then you will need to send me what the MALA options are set to be. You could post a JPG image of your settings if that is easier for you.

squirrellydw · « **Reply #30 on:** July 14, 2007, 06:31:13 pm »

edit...... everything is working now

thanks for all your help and sorry for my dumb mistake

unclet · « **Reply #31 on:** July 14, 2007, 07:00:02 pm »

Get ready for another

moment ..... are you ready .......

Re-read my first post ..... you are using the wrong Executable. You have MALA executing the fusion emulator directly, but it should be executing the MalaSega.bat file instead. Remember the BAT file will execute fusion for you ... not MALA.

So in your case, this is the setting which you should be using:

Executable = C:\Emulators\Sega\Fusion351\MalaSega.bat

So after making this change what you will be doing when you select a game in MALA is telling MALA to start the "MalaSega.bat" file (ie: Executable) with two input parameters (ie: Command Line).

Before making this change you are telling MALA to start "fusion" with two input parameters. Since fusion has no idea what those two parameters mean, then it simply starts with snow.

squirrellydw · « **Reply #32 on:** July 14, 2007, 07:01:36 pm »

yup, I just figured that out sorry for wasting the last 6 hours

thanks

now onto visual pinball

unclet · « **Reply #33 on:** July 14, 2007, 07:22:53 pm »

So in summarizing this complete thread ...... if you just follow my first post in this thread .... then should be able to get it working .... correct

Glad to help .... no problem really .... just razing you a bit ...

PS: I believe one of the first sections in my MALA "HowTo" guide details the Visual Pinball setup:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=56010.0

squirrellydw · « **Reply #34 on:** July 14, 2007, 08:13:21 pm »

no problem, I deserve it. I will look at that thread.


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