The reason for the post regarding the downhill part, is to figure out where arcade emulation is going. Mame is the god of emulation as it has such a huge following.
The project alone is worth a bunch of cash to a retro game
developer and to game companies alike. How many game companies are there, that will invest cash to develop a classic 80s game to a current console/hand-held? Why should they when you can just delve into what the MameDevs have created. I would think such attention from a game manufacturer would be a form of flattery to the devs.
But recently the latest builds of Mame has been dribbling out, where there is a emphasis to direct
attention to MESS. Should both projects merge and become one entity?
I think the Mamedevs have come to the point that there are few games of importance out there that are worth keeping (console ports being attributed) and those in dire need of conservation being totally ignored.
The question of this topic:is Mame going downhill?
Do the BYOAC users on this board have a version of Mame they just stick to? If so why?
Is there as much interest being generated with what the Mamedevs are doing versus what was going on 5 years ago? If not why not?
If you think C++ was a disappointment, should the core be in assembler instead?
For those who think this is a troll thread - I'm providing references for my argument.

I think the Mame story is coming to a close, and the politics surrounding the project is confusing matters.
If the project does indeed close, will the Mame hand over their efforts to the Library of Congress?