Frontend with locked categories?

[ppv]

Hi! This is my first post here, so hi  everybody!
I looked, but haven't found anything yet... I am looking for a FE that will allow me to a) allow me to select my own list of games (all mame. I have done it with Mala)    and b) permit me to put a code on a given category.

I am building my first cab for me and my 7 year old son who is crazy about arcades since we went to Wildwoods last year!  What I want to do is have a category of game he could not acces unless a certain code is inputed. I would not want him to play games like Mortal Kombat now, would I?

So, any ideas?

[keilmillerjr]

b) permit me to put a code on a given category.

I do not know of a front end that has this feature. I could possibly implement something in the future to FrontEndHelper where an xml file with unofficial ratings is read, and mame is immediately paused if a restricted game launched, requesting authentication to continue or exit. However, that is not something that I could make happen anytime soon.

For now, I would either create a partition (or separate drive) and duplicate your install. One install have all of your games, and the other limited. Then hide an arcade button inside the cabinet accessible by locked coin door to enter bios on boot, so you can select which partition or drive you want to boot. You could possibly crete a script to change boot drive back to restricted installation, launched at shutdown of frontend.

All this could be avoided though if you watched your kids and built up trust with them. It's probably the easiest solution.

[BadMouth]

I'm not aware of a front-end that can do that, but you could set up a separate Mala folder and use the permissions in Windows to require the Administrator password be entered to launch it.

[keilmillerjr]

Another idea would be to create a script to check for a thumb drive with a password saved on it. If it matches, switch game lists and then launch your front end. This option might be easier to implement, assuming your ok with having a thumb drive as a key. You would probably want an easily accessible usb port on your cabinet.

[Le Chuck]

I do the opposite - the only lists available are ones that my kids can play.  To access other lists requires a keycode through the USB, there is no way to fat finger it through the CP.  It's really easy to set up in both MALA and MA, just have the default list be full of whatever the kids can play and set the menu change keys to something not on your CP.  This way my 5yr old and his friends can turn on the cab themselves and I don't have to worry about them getting into a game they shouldn't be. 

Much easier for me as I don't have to worry or even be home for him to enjoy the cab.  It's zero touch for my wife which is great. 

[ppv]

I do the opposite - the only lists available are ones that my kids can play.  To access other lists requires a keycode through the USB, there is no way to fat finger it through the CP.  It's really easy to set up in both MALA and MA, just have the default list be full of whatever the kids can play and set the menu change keys to something not on your CP.  This way my 5yr old and his friends can turn on the cab themselves and I don't have to worry about them getting into a game they shouldn't be. 

Much easier for me as I don't have to worry or even be home for him to enjoy the cab.  It's zero touch for my wife which is great.

Thanks! This looks promising. Although I am not too sure on how to proceed on this. There a a pretty few games he won't be able to play (Only those with blood and gore) The others I already removed from the list.

Since I do a bit of programming, I might look into some of the open source FE out there, since I plan to use only Mame on my cab.

Thanks on the responses peeps!

[jelwell]

my 7 year old son ... I would not want him to play games like Mortal Kombat now, would I?

So, any ideas?

Let him play Mortal Kombat?

Most front ends will allow you to filter by category. If they don't, or your find them confusing to use ROMLister will help you configure most front ends or (not recommended) let you delete the roms you don't want.
http://www.waste.org/~winkles/ROMLister/
Joseph Elwell.

[Thenasty]

you could just put the games/roms you don't want anyone to play on a USB/DVD/External Drive etc....and just don't have it plug in whne kids are palying.

When they select a game, it won't load and goes back to FE.

I use Advmenu and it has a HIDE the games you don't want to be seen in the FE.

I put all the ADULT ROMS/GAMES in ADULT group and hide that group. WHen I need to play that gourp, I need to press a key to cycle the menu screen.

1. Regular Games Only
2. Adult Only
3. ALL GAMES

I just press the button till I hit 3 for all games etc....

[jimmy2x2x]

have your "NEXT GAME LIST" button locked inside your coin door or somewhere similar, away from little hands so they can only play the safe game list.

[gonzo90017]

AtomicFE has this very feature it's called Parental Control.

[headkaze]

GameEx has had this feature for a long time. You just set it to launch it's Login application and you can add/remove/edit users. Then you just setup your game lists for each user. You can also password protect the login for each user.

[ppv]

Thanks for all the kind advices everyone!

I finally arrested my choice on atomicfe since it is one of the only fe that can do all I need it to do.

But damn, am I having a hard time finding a good looking layout for it!  Time for paint shop pro for me!