LaunchBox 2019 New Feature Poll

[C-Beats]

Both things are done by hitting a web service that can take a while (at least in computer time) to grab information for. It is why neither feature shows in the detail screen on initial load and only appears once information is gathered. That combined with the fact that both of these items change in real time (making value caches pretty unstable) makes it hard to get a flag set properly for either that would allow those playlists.

[Jason Carr]

3 hours ago, C-Beats said:

Both things are done by hitting a web service that can take a while (at least in computer time) to grab information for. It is why neither feature shows in the detail screen on initial load and only appears once information is gathered. That combined with the fact that both of these items change in real time (making value caches pretty unstable) makes it hard to get a flag set properly for either that would allow those playlists.

Yeah, though it's worth noting that it's relatively easy to create badges/filters/etc. for games that *support* the high scores, so I am planning to do that eventually. Eventually I expect most everything that supports high scores will have at least some high scores anyways, so that shouldn't be a big deal. That said, there is no good way to do that for retro achievements.

[PanteraZombie]

Thanks for the responses, that makes sense. The badges and filters for high scores would be great to have! As far as Retroachievements, I wonder if an option, similar to "download updated community star ratings" can be implemented to scan their database to use in order to sort out what games in your library supports them. This one wouldn't need to be real time anyway, just a once in a while scan to update your Retroachievement library would be more than enough...

In the meantime, I think I might just create custom fields for these to make playlists, these 2 features really help me pick out games to play out of a large library.

[Rincewind]

I've got to say I've only just started using the Retro Achievements and the Hi Score features which are excellent. They make you want to play the games again which is a plus. Thanks to the devs for implementing them 

[Jason Carr]

On 4/1/2020 at 1:08 PM, PanteraZombie said:

Thanks for the responses, that makes sense. The badges and filters for high scores would be great to have! As far as Retroachievements, I wonder if an option, similar to "download updated community star ratings" can be implemented to scan their database to use in order to sort out what games in your library supports them. This one wouldn't need to be real time anyway, just a once in a while scan to update your Retroachievement library would be more than enough...

In the meantime, I think I might just create custom fields for these to make playlists, these 2 features really help me pick out games to play out of a large library.

Yeah, that's feasible, sans for the confusion surrounding any changes done on retroachievements.org. As for now, I think we'll leave it out. We are hoping to revamp things significantly once the next version of the retroachievements.org API comes out, but we don't really know when that will be.

[RULLUR]

I usually have a list of ideas, but I think for now I would like to request a way to search the Versions as a category. I know also some Emulators haven't been a 100% in working with Pause Screens in which I have yet to test until the Home/Guide button was functional for that, and I'm aware that may take a very long while until any of that gets worked on again, but thought I'd add that here.

I also would like to see a way we can add Video in the Series section of BigBox along with Clear Logos and other things as we already do for Platform Categories instead of doing it via a Playlist. I think also to have it be done that way with Publishers and Developers too along with whatever other category anyone wants to do that with for the sake of being more customizable and giving others a far more unique look than any other as they wish to do so.

I think another idea I would like is being able to see the artwork and details of other titles that have been combined instead of just being a list of text too.

Another one I would like to see is something like a Joy-to-Key but built-in to help make setting up control schemes much easier since some games can be a hassle to use a similar App with in making sure your game controller will actual play at launch and properly close after you exit to avoiding things conflicting in function

That's all I can think of off the top of my head for now, and can't wait until the next Poll comes for 2020 too

[Wally]

A badge for Homebrews would be awesome for Platforms like Atari 2600

[Styphelus]

The only thing i want is a folder for guides and media like the Pause menu from Rocketlauncher. Manuals are nice but I look at guides way more than I ever look at manuals. I can add guides as a separate app and view them in the Details view but there's no way to access guides or walkthrough videos from the Pause menu while playing the game.

Can't believe such a simple thing was never implemented.

[RULLUR]

4 hours ago, Styphelus said:

The only thing i want is a folder for guides and media like the Pause menu from Rocketlauncher. Manuals are nice but I look at guides way more than I ever look at manuals. I can add guides as a separate app and view them in the Details view but there's no way to access guides or walkthrough videos from the Pause menu while playing the game.

Can't believe such a simple thing was never implemented.

Has me thinking that Pause Menus should be customizable as to what things you would want to appear in them for both useful or just to look cool. Not sure if we should have it as a per game or per platform basis though, but I think that extra bit of customization would be satisfying to whatever type of gamer's preference can be.

[PanteraZombie]

52 minutes ago, RULLUR said:

Has me thinking that Pause Menus should be customizable as to what things you would want to appear in them for both useful or just to look cool. Not sure if we should have it as a per game or per platform basis though, but I think that extra bit of customization would be satisfying to whatever type of gamer's preference can be.

I think it would be cool to have within the Pause Menu options tab... "+ custom Pause Menu item". You can then give it a label, then link it to any folder you like such as "guides" or "commercials".

[ItchyRobot]

1 hour ago, PanteraZombie said:

I think it would be cool to have within the Pause Menu options tab... "+ custom Pause Menu item". You can then give it a label, then link it to any folder you like such as "guides" or "commercials".

 

I would love to see a more fleshed out Pause theme like you suggested. Your example would be great if it is able.

I'm currently having to put my fighting game moves lists in the Manuals folder so they are accessible during the Pause theme. I do the same for my Pinball instruction cards. It's a work around, but it works well.

Edited April 5, 2020 by ItchyRobot

[RULLUR]

1 hour ago, PanteraZombie said:

I think it would be cool to have within the Pause Menu options tab... "+ custom Pause Menu item". You can then give it a label, then link it to any folder you like such as "guides" or "commercials".

For me I already have commercials set for my gameplay video, and even by region as long as they have one made just so it all feels very museum to me and others who play. I think even if something isn't my style I would like it to be open to happen for whatever may tend to satisfy another, and seems @Jason Carr really understand that which makes me respect him further since he's not one of those guys who made it his way only without taking requests like some others may do. So I feel as long as someone mentions something they want to see in LaunchBox/BigBox on the Forums, he's gonna do his best to make it happen, even if that feature may take a while to get to on his ever-growing list, it'll be so worth the wait once he gets to it.

[PanteraZombie]

7 minutes ago, ItchyRobot said:

 

I would love to see a more fleshed out Pause theme like you suggested. Your example would be great if it is able.

I'm currently having to put my fighting game moves lists in the Manuals folder so they are accessible during the Pause theme. I do the same for my Pinball instruction cards. It's a work around, but it works well.

Agreed, it would be great! Although I think it would probably need to be a more specific option menu... such as "+ pdf item", "+ video (mp4) item", "+ image (jpg/png) item". I think if this system was set up, the pause menu would basically be feature complete.

[Jason Carr]

20 hours ago, Styphelus said:

The only thing i want is a folder for guides and media like the Pause menu from Rocketlauncher. Manuals are nice but I look at guides way more than I ever look at manuals. I can add guides as a separate app and view them in the Details view but there's no way to access guides or walkthrough videos from the Pause menu while playing the game.

Can't believe such a simple thing was never implemented.

Any PDF additional apps you add will automatically show up on the pause screen.

[Jason Carr]

Thanks all, I've noted these requests/ideas for the next poll.

[ALIE]

2 hours ago, Jason Carr said:

Thanks all, I've noted these requests/ideas for the next poll.

unfortunately it has yet to be a high voted item which i dont understand ?.. but if multiple save states Retroarch for pause screen could be on the voting list again.. eatkinola amazing plug in did some cool stuff with that..

[PanteraZombie]

12 hours ago, Jason Carr said:

Any PDF additional apps you add will automatically show up on the pause screen.

Awesome! Did not realize this was possible. I just tested that it works with pdf, jpg, gif and png files. I created a new folder called "Strategy Guides" with platform names within in it... similar to the folder structure of "Manuals". I Created an additional app for Mortal Kombat II for SNES and named it "View Strategy Guide" and set the path accordingly. It shows up right above the exit game entry on the Pause Menu. If you wanted to, you can also do this for box art and other images. Pretty cool! ...just no support for video at the moment for those old tv commercials.

Edit: Additional Apps is set to browse for executable files for the path, you have to change it to "all files (*.*)".

Edited April 6, 2020 by PanteraZombie

[damageinc86]

8 hours ago, ALIE said:

unfortunately it has yet to be a high voted item which i dont understand ?.. but if multiple save states Retroarch for pause screen could be on the voting list again.. eatkinola amazing plug in did some cool stuff with that..

Yes, multiple save states is a must for a pause screen.  I'm sure if not this round, or the next round, or the one after that, eventually it will become a feature.

[ALIE]

12 hours ago, damageinc86 said:

Yes, multiple save states is a must for a pause screen.  I'm sure if not this round, or the next round, or the one after that, eventually it will become a feature.

oh no doubt about that.

Cant blame @Jason Carr he gives people what they want and understandable that is the highest voted items.  someday multiple save states hopefully will be voted high enough ?..

[neil9000]

12 hours ago, damageinc86 said:

Yes, multiple save states is a must for a pause screen.  I'm sure if not this round, or the next round, or the one after that, eventually it will become a feature.

 

1 minute ago, ALIE said:

oh no doubt about that.

Cant blame @Jason Carr he gives people what they want and understandable that is the highest voted items.  someday multiple save states hopefully will be voted high enough ?..

Hmm, i wouldnt of thought that would be to highly requested. I use save states all the time, but only ever one, i just constantly overwrite it, i never choose a slot or have more than one.