[LaunchBox 13.25 Beta Thread]

6 minutes ago, sagaopc said:

my bigbox theme doesn't change!!!

Try giving this a readthrough and see if it gives any insight to the issue.

Big Box Themes and Where They Apply - LaunchBox

[Need to add seek to videos]

46 minutes ago, Syvart said:

When playing videos there is no bar to move the video forward or backward.  Please add the ability to seek in videos so I can rewatch a part or move to the action parts

Seems reasonable.  I suggest submitting an official Feature Request.  At the top of this page, click Help & Support, the Request a Feature.  Once it gets made public, create a link to it here and if others agree, they can go and can upvote it.

[Games launch outside in mame, but not from launchbox]

On 10/11/2025 at 6:28 PM, ExtinctionEvent said:

is there anything else I should try?

You could try running the MAME Troubleshooting plugin and see if it can shed some light.

 

[MAME DATs Viewer]

On 10/3/2025 at 1:42 AM, Joe35car said:

History XML doesn't work.

Would you please test it again and see if it's now working again?  (Appears they removed the "Verify you are human" feature.)

[autohotkey scripts to turn off/on W11 hdr when launching/closing certain emulators?]

5 hours ago, theshape said:

Hi, thanks for the help. I tried with another game just now, a non steam game and it worked perfectly, it will turn on hdr, launch my game and when I exit the game it will turn off hdr. So the issue is with steam, I guess steam games are being treated differently and maybe the main application is now steam and not the game exe itself. I tried changing my launch options to point to the game exe instead of the steam url file but it still does not work. It seems the script needs to be modified for steam usage.

Pointing to the exe should have worked. Unless the games exe is another sub-launcher.

 

Plan "B": Let's get medieval on this game.

• Revert the games application path to the Steam URL [and parameters]
• Create a new AHK script (just for this game)
• Use this new script as the Run Before app for the game
• You do not need a Run After additional app

The script:

gameID=2215430

Send, #!b

isRunning := "0"
While (isRunning = "0") ; Wait until the game is launched
    RegRead, isRunning, HKCU\Software\Valve\Steam\Apps\%gameID%, Running
    Sleep, 500

Sleep, 15000

While (isRunning = "1") ; Wait until the game is closed
    RegRead, isRunning, HKCU\Software\Valve\Steam\Apps\%gameID%, Running
    Sleep, 500

Send, #!b 

• Change 2215430 on line 1 to the games actual Steam ID number
• This assumes once the game is launched, you will play for at least 15 seconds (Sleep, 15000)

[Link to Tutorials not working]

1 hour ago, alcoatjez said:

When you click the link to 'Tutorials' on the top bar from the forum it points you to a private YouTube video.

I can find the tutorials easily by myself, but just wanted to report this small issue.

Until the development team gets this resolved, you do also have the option in LaunchBox itself (which does direct you to a valid location).

Menu < Help < Tutorials...

Takes you to:  LaunchBox Tutorials - YouTube 

[autohotkey scripts to turn off/on W11 hdr when launching/closing certain emulators?]

57 minutes ago, theshape said:

I also need help with this. I have a game, Ghost of Tsushima through steam that I want to enable HDR for. I used the script above and it works to turn HDR on before the game launches. I get the notifaction that hdr is on and then the game launches and it works perfect.  The problem is after I close the game, it does not work to turn if off after the game closes because hdr remains on

Steam is essentially a launcher for the game. So in your scenario, you launch the game (steam.exe plus game ID and some other parameters). But 1st LB starts the Run Before additional app to turn on HDR, then the steam.exe stuff.  Then Steam launches the game.exe and closes itself (steam.exe).  At this point, LB sees the "game" it launched (steam.exe) has exited (but the game.exe is still running for you to play it).  Here, I'm surprised your Run After additional app doesn't execute, turning off HDR [right as the actual game is starting].

If it's just the one game (Ghost of T..) you need HRD for, you might be able to find the games exe and set that as the games application path (Edit the game and change it in the Launching section).  This way, both Run Before and Run After should work properly.  And as a bonus, if enabled, the Shutdown screen should now show when you exit the game (as in, you're not seeing them now for Steam games.  Startup screens, yes. But not shutdown.).

[Project X: Light Years Covers and metadata can't be found inside Launchbox Desktop (Windows).]

2 hours ago, Turrican4 said:

tried to search with Project X: Light Years, Light Years, Project X:, Project X, Project-X - nothing

Yeah, I explained similar in the beta thread comments that I posted a link to above.

But you never indicated what version of LaunchBox you're using.  My comment (in the link) only applies if you're on the beta.

 

2 hours ago, Turrican4 said:

if i try to force updating my local database:

Would that pose a risk to the metadata I have manually maintained for (other) games (beside Light Years) that were not included in the Launchbox database? Would that data then be deleted?

Are there other risks to do a forced update local database?

The local database only [essentially] mirrors the metadata that's in the LaunchBox Games Database.  It will only affect your collection if you update the metadata for your existing games or add a new game.  e.g. Tools < Download < Update Metadata and Media for All Games...  (not to be confused with Tools < Download < Force Update Games Database Metadata...)  (the latter only updating your "copy" of the database)

There is no risk in running Force Update Games Database Metadata... (Or as I lazily called it earlier, Force Updating the local database).

[how to apply 1 startup theme to all my games]

On 10/4/2025 at 1:35 AM, DonellHD said:

where should I look to find the override??

The override is only for disabling the startup screen.

The only "option" to display a different startup up screen per-platform is to have an xml file in your selected startup theme's folder named the exact same as the platform.

And note, that is per-platform. Not per-emulator. As in, the emulator is (should be) irrelevant.

 

Example: look in your \LaunchBox\StartupThemes\Default\ folder.  If you launch a game from your "Sony Playstation 2" platform, it will use the "Sony Playstation 2.xml" file for the startup theme.  If you launch a game from your Windows platform, since there isn't a Windows.xml file, it'll use the Default.xml.

 

Since you're using the StageBox startup theme and it ONLY has its' Default.xml file (no platform-specific xml files), setting StageBox as your Startup Theme in LaunchBox, all platforms will use the same file when loading a game.  Unless you disable it specifically for the platform or a game(s).  When disabled, it won't show any startup screen.

 

Why your Windows platform is using the Default.xml from the /Default/ theme folder instead of the /StageBox/ folder, I have no idea.

Can you share screenshots of the loading screen when launching from a platform it does work in, and then one when launching a game from your Windows platform.

 

[Auto Hotkey Scripts]

On 10/5/2025 at 1:21 PM, d8thstar said:

but i'm hoping to get a AHK script going because when you start prismxr, you also have to click the "Click to Start" button

When that window opens, can you press Enter "to start"?  Or do you have to mouse-click the Click to Start?

In you can [just] press enter:

; Start PrismXR application
Run, "C:\Users\tonys\Desktop\VR\PrismXR_Desktop_App\PrismXR\PrismXR.exe"
Sleep, 2000
Send, {Enter}

; Start Virtual Desktop Streamer
Run, "C:\Program Files\Virtual Desktop Streamer\VirtualDesktop.Streamer.exe"

 

Otherwise, you need to find where (in pixels) on the screen that button is.

; Start PrismXR application
Run, "C:\Users\tonys\Desktop\VR\PrismXR_Desktop_App\PrismXR\PrismXR.exe"
Sleep, 2000

; move mouse pointer to center of monitor (1920x1080)
DllCall("SetCursorPos", int, 960, int, 540)
Send, {LButton}

; Start Virtual Desktop Streamer
Run, "C:\Program Files\Virtual Desktop Streamer\VirtualDesktop.Streamer.exe"

Adjust "960" (1920/2) and "540" (1080/2) as necessary to "land" on the button to click.

[Project X: Light Years Covers and metadata can't be found inside Launchbox Desktop (Windows).]

On 10/7/2025 at 11:47 PM, Turrican4 said:

Project X: Light Years Covers and metadata can't be found inside Launchbox Desktop (Windows).

What version of LaunchBox are you currently using?

I ran some tests... using the beta release 13.25-beta-1, even after updating the local database, I could not get it to find the game.  (See comments here)

However, in v13.24 [official release] it did work.

[Project X: Light Years Covers and metadata can't be found inside Launchbox Desktop (Windows).]

On 10/7/2025 at 11:47 PM, Turrican4 said:

Project X: Light Years Covers and metadata can't be found inside Launchbox Desktop (Windows).

Try changing the title to "Project X: Light Years", then searching.

If it still can't find it, try force updating your local database under Tools - Download - Force update...

[Renaming a file before launching the emulator question]

On 10/5/2025 at 4:42 AM, Jav1 said:

I need to rename a file before launching the emulator with a specific ROM. I've already added this ROM to LaunchBox. I can easily write a .bat or .exe app to do that but where should I  call it from LaunchBox. Is there a section in the app to achieve this? I have the LaunchBox/BigBox latest version.

Thanks.

If it's just for the one game, you can Edit that game.  Add a new Additional Application and point the path to your renmameThatFile.bat file.  Check the box "Run BEFORE main application". Once done, click OK to save and close.

[How to close Teknoparrot with new emulator forks?]

11 minutes ago, Joe35car said:

Thanks it works at closing all those systems now but all except Teknoparrot I get this error when closing the game using esc key.

Glad to hear.  

The error looks to a TeknoParrot UI error.  I don't use that app, so can't be of any help.  Hopefully someone else can chime in to help.

[How to close Teknoparrot with new emulator forks?]

1 hour ago, Joe35car said:

How would it look like? Not by my pc so I don't remember the exact thing the error showed. Thanks again for the help. 

Again, without knowing the error (exact or otherwise), this is just a guess.  Combine the actions (WinClose...) into one hotkey ($Esc::) assignment:

$ESC::
{
   WinClose, ahk_exe TeknoParrotUi.exe
   WinClose, ahk_exe play.exe
   WinClose, ahk_exe rpcs3.exe
   WinClose, ahk_exe dolphin.exe
}

 

[MAME DATs Viewer]

4 hours ago, Joe35car said:

History XML doesn't work.

I presume you're talking about checking/downloading updates for history.xml.  The site https://www.arcade-history.com/index.php?page=download has a new "Verify you are human" feature making it not possible for the plugin to check or even download an updated file.

I will need to depreciate that feature.  I'll look at adding a way for you to manually check/download any updates.

 

If by "doesn't work", you mean it won't show the info from your existing file, please let me know and I'll look into that.

[How to close Teknoparrot with new emulator forks?]

2 hours ago, Joe35car said:

But get an error

The error you neglected to tell us even what it was is possibly telling you that you can't set the same hotkey more than once.  Try combing those actions under one hotkey assignment.

[N64 roms not loading in Launchbox - logs]

11 minutes ago, TheRealUnderhill said:

I removed the -f which I assume is full screen and it loaded. 

Success!!!  (well, 90%. )

Testing mine, without -f, it does not go fullscreen.  With -f, it does go fullscreen.  (same 16:9)

Check the emulator is up to date.  Tools - Manage - Emulators.  Wait and look for a check mark.

If it's an icon of a cloud and a down arrow, there's an update available. (edit it and click the Update button).

 

10 minutes ago, TheRealUnderhill said:

Here is the text that was generated from the script.

Looks great! You can remove that script now. (otherwise, each time you launch RA [from any platform], it will add to that file.)

 

28 minutes ago, TheRealUnderhill said:

With that said do you have any ideas to hopefully get it to start in full screen

There's probably a way to set (force) fullscreen in the emulator itself.  Google should be able to help with that.  TBH, I'm not really even an RA guy. I set mine up several (5+?) years ago and have only done the occasional updates.  So, working "inside of it" is beyond my expertise.

[N64 roms not loading in Launchbox - logs]

52 minutes ago, TheRealUnderhill said:

I do appreciate the help. Thank you.

np

And you did check one (or more) of the game's ROM path (application path to the games actual ROM)?

 

From the secret vault:

Let's see what LaunchBox is attempting to execute to get it to launch (or not launch in your case) the game(s).

1. (In LaunchBox) Edit your RetroArch emulator
2. In the Running Script section, copy and paste the AHK code below, into it
3. Click OK to save and close
4. Launch an N64 game  (FAIL)
   1. All methods follow the same path. Click Play.  Double-click.  Right-click.... 
5. In Windows Explorer, go to your /LaunchBox/Plugins/ folder
6. Look for and open CommandLine_RA.txt
7. Share what's in there

 

queryEnum := ComObjGet("winmgmts:").ExecQuery("" . "Select * from Win32_Process where caption='retroarch.exe'")._NewEnum()

While queryEnum[proc]
{
     t .= proc.CommandLine "`n`n"
     FileAppend, % t, .\Plugins\CommandLine_RA.txt
}

 

[N64 roms not loading in Launchbox - logs]

Other than the Extract ROMs under Associated Platforms being un-checked, the only thing I see different from yours and mine is, I also have Extract ROMs in the main Details section un-checked. But that shouldn't matter because whatever's in the Associated platforms section should override that.

As for the underscore missing in the right-click menu, mine shows the same.  Oh, and the games do launch for me.

 

Beyond unchecking the 2nd mentioned checkbox, the only other thing I think it could be is your games' Application Paths.  Edit one of the N64 games and look in the Launching section at the ROM File and confirm the path and file are correct.

I suppose while there, look in the Emulation section and confirm Use an emulator is checked, RetroArch is the chosen emulator and Use Custom Command-line Parameters is un-checked.  That, coupled with you having RA set as the default emulator for the platform, you should be able to just click Play in the game details panel (vs having to right-click).

[N64 roms not loading in Launchbox - logs]

32 minutes ago, TheRealUnderhill said:

Yes the N64 do work directly in Retroarch.  

Good.

Try un-checking Extract ROMs in the Associated Platforms section.

[What would be best method to import only a tiny number of arcade roms?]

42 minutes ago, dmaker said:

I assume that I put %romlocation% in the parameters and not the actual location?

Correct.  Literally as it's shown in green text.

[Launchbox app critical error code]

34 minutes ago, Rickey Davis said:

Tried to update Launchbox on my pc and it crashed.

The error indicates something is up with your license file. Email `support@unbrokensoftware.com` and they can sort it out for you.

[Adding a new Platform to the online database]

1 minute ago, EASTWOOD2002 said:

Thanks again @JoeViking245 - I haven't used the "official" place for requests before.

You're quite welcome. 

It's a wonder that any (if any) of your previous requests made it through.    jk  

They say that learning and doing something new each day is good for you. 😎

[What would be best method to import only a tiny number of arcade roms?]

2 hours ago, dmaker said:

ended with "you dont have mame installed"

Like @C-Beats, I don't recall how the MAME installer was actually set up (compared to other less 'odd' or unique emulators).  But with other emulators, when you see a message similar to that, it will also ask if you want "us" to install it.

That aside.... Since you have your 30-40 classic Arcade games added to your LaunchBox collection already, at this point I'd suggest:

1. Go to Tools - Manage - Emulators and click Add
2. Type in "MAME" for the Emulator Name and it will auto-populate most of the settings
3. At the right-end of the Name field will be an icon that is a link to the MAME download site. 
4. Click it.
5. If your MAME ROMs are from the current 0.281 release, download the mame0281b_x64.exe file
   1. If your ROMs are from an earlier release, at the top of that page, click Downloads and select Previous Releases
   2. Scroll down to where you see the release number that matches your ROMs
   3. Click the file under Binary (Windows) for that release
6. Once downloaded, run the executable from Windows Explorer
7. If you get a Windows protected your PC popup,
   1. click More Info and then click Run anyway
8. I recommend extracting it to your /LaunchBox/Emulators/ folder
   1. e.g. Choose:  D:\LaunchBox\Emulators\MAME\
   2. Be sure to add MAME on the end of the path
9. Once finished extracting, back in your Edit Emulator window
   1. To the right of Application Path, click Browse and navigate to the folder you extracted MAME to and select "mame.exe"
10. Right below Default Command-line Parameters, add to the end of what's there (if it's not there already), -rompath %romlocation%
    1. e.g.  -keyboardprovider dinput -rompath %romlocation%
11. Click on the Associated Platforms label and make sure Default Emulator is checked on the Arcade line.
12. Click OK to save and close the Edit window.