Evolve or Die!

[tspeirs]

www.gameex.com

[ratsflif]

Looks great, I will be checking it out this weekend.

[Malenko]

looks neat. Video is a trainwreck. Whats the average shot length 2.2 seconds?

I see something neat, blink, and its moved on. I have no idea what features it has or doesnt have.

[ratsflif]

Yeah, I agree.  The video is just horrible, but read through the features list, a lot of great stuff in there.

[headkaze]

I forgot that a lot of people in the arcade scene are senior citizens lol In all seriousness though it's meant to be a teaser. I apologise for my atrocious editing but I'm a programmer not a video editor guy. Last time I used After Effects for editing was many moons ago at University so I'm rusty to say the least. I wanted it to be fast paced to make it interesting and colourful and not so much as a demonstration of features. Also many features (such as AddOn's) I couldn't show in the video simply because it's not very visually appealing.

Either way once Evo is released I'll be able to spend some time making videos such as tutorials at a pace us "fogies" wont suffer seizures from. GameEx Evo is all about customisation. It's what we consider the "Build Your Own Front End" of front ends.

Yeah, I agree.  The video is just horrible, but read through the features list, a lot of great stuff in there.

There is no feature list for GameEx Evo released yet. I think what you're referring to are the features of the original GameEx. There are lots of new features coming to GameEx Evo. Here are some of them

- GameEx Online (game info, video streaming, pictures, e-Books, configuration all from your browser or mobile device)
- Shaders (effects including scan lines)
- Transitions (many transitions included)
- Animation (keyframe animation support)
- Gif and Swf rendering support
- 3D Models (including animated models)
- Bitmap Fonts (with gradients, strokes & shadow support)
- AddOns (compiled dll’s with the ability to use the rendering engine)
- Scripting (C# or VB.NET editor)
- Layout Editor (for customising your theme)
- Psd import support (Photoshop image format)
- Modern new default theme with HTPC or Arcade version (4:3 or 16:9)
- Rotation and split screen support (with vertical and horizontal themes)
- Coverflow display (with various view modes)
- SubLayouts (layouts within layouts)
- Command.dat support
- Support for rendering HyperSpin themes (natively with no conversion necessary)

[Howard_Casto]

Could you take out the hyperspin support?  Please. 

Looks great otherwise.

[headkaze]

Could you take out the hyperspin support?  Please. 

It's just a feature so no pressure to use it

And before anyone asks, no we won't be including any HyperSpin themes or assets with the release.

[Howard_Casto]

I'm just afraid all the other features will be completely overlooked as the hyperspin indoctrinated will insist on using those flash animations and nothing else. 

[headkaze]

We wanted to bring all the great features of GameEx along with CPWizard and an all new graphics engine and online system.

The engine was something I was working on before HyperSpin was even released. We're talking back in 2007. I already had Flash style key-framed animation working back then. It was called the Razor engine back then; but now it's called the "BlazeEngine". Much has been added, re-written and improved.

Tom and I then got together to create GameEx Evolution (along with a host of other people who have helped with things such as databases and graphics). It has, for the most part, been in production for many years now (although production has increased alot in the last year).

[tspeirs]

I'm just afraid all the other features will be completely overlooked as the hyperspin indoctrinated will insist on using those flash animations and nothing else.

Its not our goal to do a hyperspin clone but based on the status of the current HS front end and the fact the actual project itself is still awesome and active, a HS front end clone with a future may potentially be just what the people want, not a bad thing and save the project in the future. Although that is a recent thought of mine, did not used to be the consensus and assumes the original HS front end itself does not get any more updates.

[Paul Olson]

After the ridiculously long countdown, is there actually an announcement? All I can find is the video that was released last week. Is there a release date?

[tspeirs]

After the ridiculously long countdown, is there actually an announcement? All I can find is the video that was released last week. Is there a release date?

It may have been a big countdown but this is a big project that requires investment, resources and time. We have not published an official release date yet as we are loving working on Evolution and don't want to spoil our fun with unnecessary pressure. The project ends with me and I am fine with that. We are openly discussing the project here and elsewhere the best we can, its being talked about all over the place. What would you like to know?

[gildahl]

The one thing that scares me is the possibility that it might be sold under a subscription model (mentioned by Tom on the GameEx forums).  I purchased GameEx for my arcade cab and think it is by far the best FE out there and have been pretty excited about the upcoming Evolution.  But if there is even a remote chance this thing may go to a revocable license "cloud" subscription model (like Adobe), I'll be dropping it like a hot potato.

[tspeirs]

The one thing that scares me is the possibility that it might be sold under a subscription model (mentioned by Tom on the GameEx forums).  I purchased GameEx for my arcade cab and think it is by far the best FE out there and have been pretty excited about the upcoming Evolution.  But if there is even a remote chance this thing may go to a revocable license "cloud" subscription model (like Adobe), I'll be dropping it like a hot potato.

I appreciate the feedback. The details have not been worked out so don't worry. The subscription model is really just about the fact that $15 paid in 2004 does not cover 500 updates and constant advancements and innovations. There is though GameEx Online to consider and the bandwidth and size of all the content we will provide on the forums, GameEx Online and GameEx.com. We may make this an optional add on and it is definitely not going to be a requirement to connect to some kind of GameEx cloud for usage of GameEx Evolution but it will provide a more awesome experience if you do We are not moving to the cloud but will be providing a cloud for users in the form of GameEx Online and what we end up with in terms of licenses which is a separate thing depends on what fits the majority and is fair for both me and all users and delivers the most value. I will also honor everything that is currently in place with licensing too such as the lifetime licenses currently on sale with free upgrade to Evolution. Right now that is a lifetime license for Evolution. Im not in the business of pissing off the user base or doing sneaky things. lol.

[gildahl]

Thanks Tom.  That's cool. I have absolutely no issue in paying something reasonable (or even subscribing) for updates.  I also have no problem with you offering a "cloud"/revokable license subscription plan as a *choice* as long as there is also a choice to purchase a perpetual license version (which, BTW, I personally would be happy to pay $60-$80 for).  I just want to be sure that my *use* of the product is not tied to having an active subscription or for my arcade machine to always be online.

I appreciate the feedback. The details have not been worked out so don't worry. The subscription model is really just about the fact that $15 paid in 2004 does not cover 500 updates and constant advancements and innovations. There is though GameEx Online to consider and the bandwidth and size of all the content we will provide on the forums, GameEx Online and GameEx.com. We may make this an optional add on and it is definitely not going to be a requirement to connect to some kind of GameEx cloud for usage of GameEx Evolution but it will provide a more awesome experience if you do We are not moving to the cloud but will be providing a cloud for users in the form of GameEx Online and what we end up with in terms of licenses which is a separate thing depends on what fits the majority and is fair for both me and all users and delivers the most value. I will also honor everything that is currently in place with licensing too such as the lifetime licenses currently on sale with free upgrade to Evolution. Right now that is a lifetime license for Evolution. Im not in the business of pissing off the user base or doing sneaky things. lol.

[tspeirs]

Thank you for your response. It is useful feedback for me and I think if I was using the product and not managing it I would feel exactly the same!

[headkaze]

I just want to thank Tom publicly aswell. He is not only a great manager of the GameEx project but a great friend and mentor. He has given so much of his heart and soul to the community I can't thank him enough. I love him like a brother and if you all knew the sacrifices he's made for the scene you would instantly feel the same way. Thanks again my friend I will always continue to be faithful and help make GameEx the best it can be.

[tspeirs]

I just want to thank Tom publicly aswell. He is not only a great manager of the GameEx project but a great friend and mentor. He has given so much of his heart and soul to the community I can't thank him enough. I love him like a brother and if you all knew the sacrifices he's made for the scene you would instantly feel the same way. Thanks again my friend I will always continue to be faithful and help make GameEx the best it can be.

Thanks buddy and perhaps its also time for me to publicly mention that a major part of GameEx Evolution is the work of HeadKaze up until now. Credit where it is due. 

[gildahl]

Oh, since you asked "what would you like to know?"...Will Evo have improved game list filtering?  This has long been my one (and only) gripe about GameEx--which has just one global "Favorites" list that can be customized from within the UI.  I always loved the way Maximus Arcade let you create/maintain custom lists for each emulator from within the UI and easily switch between "all" and these custom views.  A "ratings" filter would be even better (i.e. show me all games rated 3 stars or better).  I see a lot of nice graphical stuff coming in the video, but for me, I would be happy if all Evo had was a knockout custom filtering system.

I'm also secretly hoping that my existing GameEx configuration will continue to work in Evo.  Will it?

[tspeirs]

Oh, since you asked "what would you like to know?"...Will Evo have improved game list filtering?  This has long been my one (and only) gripe about GameEx--which has just one global "Favorites" list that can be customized from within the UI.  I always loved the way Maximus Arcade let you create/maintain custom lists for each emulator from within the UI and easily switch between "all" and these custom views.  A "ratings" filter would be even better (i.e. show me all games rated 3 stars or better).  I see a lot of nice graphical stuff coming in the video, but for me, I would be happy if all Evo had was a knockout custom filtering system.

I'm also secretly hoping that my existing GameEx configuration will continue to work in Evo.  Will it?

As for the first, I can't answer that yet but the latter, it won't be an issue. At worst we will provide a migration tool. The thing that won't transfer over is themes.

[gildahl]

Regarding the configuration, that sounds great.  Not being able to transfer themes shouldn't be an issue since the new theme engine, I'm sure, will be worlds better.  As far as the filtering goes, please accept my personal plea for adding a ratings filter (add sounds of deep sobs and weeping)!  This one nod to the usability side of things would really cheer me up and likely make Evo flawless to this fan. :-)

[headkaze]

We actually have a theme importer for the old GameEx format. It's mostly done so we may support the old theme format. I can't say for sure though.

[Paul Olson]

After the ridiculously long countdown, is there actually an announcement? All I can find is the video that was released last week. Is there a release date?

It may have been a big countdown but this is a big project that requires investment, resources and time. We have not published an official release date yet as we are loving working on Evolution and don't want to spoil our fun with unnecessary pressure. The project ends with me and I am fine with that. We are openly discussing the project here and elsewhere the best we can, its being talked about all over the place. What would you like to know?

The countdown just did not seem to count down to anything. I thought it was counting down to the release. I'll check it out when it is available. I specifically didn't work on my hyperspin setup over the weekend because I was hoping to be able to try this today. These hype building announcements actually have the opposite affect in me. I have paid for hs and emumovies, and I even subscribe to adobe cc (since that was mentioned),  so I am ok with paying for useful software. If you would have released at the end of the countdown, you would probably have my money right now. Instead, I feel like my time was wasted. Please let me know when it is available. If I try it and like it, I will buy it. I will be ignoring the hype until then, though.

[tspeirs]

Unfortunately the hype is a necessary evil to try to pay for the cost of it and go someway towards getting back my investment. This is not a game for me, its a real life financial investment and risk. I am not Adobe and I am doing something nobody has ever done before. I think the majority respect me for what I am trying to do and bring to the community. If nothing else it takes guts and I am being transparent and honest.  Sorry if your not happy with my approach but I have not promised anything and not delivered, or misled or falsely advertised. I'd love to have you as a user and join our community. You would not get the authors of photoshop coming on a forum and taking the time and effort to say that personally to you though. 

I am sorry if you are upset and I wasted your personal time. Please do wait until we have a release and see if you like it. Other than the fact GameEx is already a respected product and you will save money there is no rush and its true that the proof is in the pudding and the devil is in the detail but even if it kills me it will at the least be exceptional.

PS: Just been looking at your projects. There is some pretty cool stuff there. My buddies would play Super Sprint (or might have been championship sprint) at the weekend back in the day but I was absolutely hopeless at it although could kick there asses at Smash TV.

[Paul Olson]

Sorry Tom, I just reread my posts in this thread, and they are way more bitchy than I usually write. This isn't something that makes me mad, just disappointed that I don't have a new toy to play with yet. I am looking forward to seeing what can be done with the C#/vb scripting.

[tspeirs]

Sorry Tom, I just reread my posts in this thread, and they are way more bitchy than I usually write. This isn't something that makes me mad, just disappointed that I don't have a new toy to play with yet. I am looking forward to seeing what can be done with the C#/vb scripting.

No worries. I figured you were just having a moment. I am just incredibly passionate and dedicated to GameEx and always aim to make it the best it can be.

[Benzinbruder]

Well, it looks really awesome, but I can also understand Paul's disappointment with the whole countdown thing, I kind of felt the same way.

I was also sitting on the edge, not knowing which way I should go with my setup. It's gonna be HS for now, but GameEx Evo still looks awesome and I might give it a try at a later time. The discount is tempting, though I have tried the current version of GameEx and discovered that it's not for me. I can't justify spending 28 $ for a new version that I don't know if I'll like and use or not. Especially since I do not really care about the online features...

[spoot]

Sorry Tom, I just reread my posts in this thread, and they are way more bitchy than I usually write. This isn't something that makes me mad, just disappointed that I don't have a new toy to play with yet. I am looking forward to seeing what can be done with the C#/vb scripting.

No worries. I figured you were just having a moment. I am just incredibly passionate and dedicated to GameEx and always aim to make it the best it can be.

I can appreciate that Tom......but it felt like I was at work where they have a meeting to announce a meeting.   

[tspeirs]

Sorry Tom, I just reread my posts in this thread, and they are way more bitchy than I usually write. This isn't something that makes me mad, just disappointed that I don't have a new toy to play with yet. I am looking forward to seeing what can be done with the C#/vb scripting.

No worries. I figured you were just having a moment. I am just incredibly passionate and dedicated to GameEx and always aim to make it the best it can be.

I can appreciate that Tom......but it felt like I was at work where they have a meeting to announce a meeting.   

Oh god yeah. I completely feel your pain there buddy if you are working in that environment. I worked for an American corp for a long time. I was the only developer that actually developed anything and did some proper work!