But does this mean the end to ctrlr ini files?
There are only a few things ctrlr has over cfg:
1) text editable
2) setable to different folders (for different controllers)
3) uses multiple ini files, depending on game and controls used in game
4) furture proof.
The first one is the biggest reason, IMO, but will be gone after cfg goes xml.
The second one, well, not many people use more than one folder. I bet it's a set and forget for most who use ctrlr (no me, but [shrug]).
The third, like the second, probably isn't highly used. Again, I know peoploe use this feature, as do I, but what about mameDevs?
The forth is still true ATM, but will the xml be as future proof? (More so if ctrlr ini is dropped.)
Me, I really like the ctrlr ini files. But I'm not sure if the two remaining differences are liked enough for mameDev to keep ctrlr ini. And if the cfg xml files are made so it can do items (maybe) 2 and (especially) 3, well, [shrug] ... is there any reason to keep ctrlr ini?