Launch games using NFC tags

[superrob3000]

I only have a small amount of work left to pretty this up, but since I won't be able to get to it for a few weeks I figured I'd post the beta version in case anyone wants to start using it.

To use it just grab an NFC reader. Any of the top results on Amazon should work, but so far it's  been tested by me with an ACR1552U type reader and by @spotUP with an ACR122U type reader. You'll also need NFC tags. Any NTAG21x type stickers or cards will work. NTAG215 is the most popular type on Amazon right now.

Installation:

1. ****** First you need to install the latest version of my CLI Launcher plugin. ******
2. Then unzip the NFC Launcher beta file and drop the contents into your LaunchBox folder (you'll end up with Plugins/NFC_Launcher/NFC_Launcher.dll).

Usage:

1. Make sure your card reader is plugged in before starting LaunchBox.
2. In LaunchBox, right-click any game, choose "Program NFC Game Shortcut", and follow the directions.
3. Scan the NFC tag in LaunchBox or BigBox to launch the game.
    

NFC_Launcher_v1.0.2_beta.zip

Edited October 26, 2024 by superrob3000

[JoeViking245]

3 hours ago, superrob3000 said:

Scan the NFC tag in LaunchBox or BigBox to launch the game.

       What a cool concept!!  

Sometimes when feeling hands-on-nostalgic, I want to look through my [physical] collection on the bookshelf, pick a game from there and play my backed-up copy on the PC.  I never even fathomed being able to scan the box/case/cart/disc/whatever-medium and have it load, ready to play.  Too cool!

[superrob3000]

50 minutes ago, JoeViking245 said:

       What a cool concept!!  

Sometimes when feeling hands-on-nostalgic, I want to look through my [physical] collection on the bookshelf, pick a game from there and play my backed-up copy on the PC.  I never even fathomed being able to scan the box/case/cart/disc/whatever-medium and have it load, ready to play.  Too cool!

Thanks Joe! I think it was @MysterNybble that talked about wanting to do that on one of the twitch streams. That's where I got/stole the idea 😄

[JoeViking245]

14 minutes ago, superrob3000 said:

Thanks Joe! I think it was @MysterNybble that talked about wanting to do that on one of the twitch streams. That's where I got/stole the idea 😄

Ahhh... pick/scan a game from the bookshelf and 'blow on the cart' to get the dust out.  

[spotUP]

Super smooth implementation, i love it!

 

[MysterNybble]

On 10/25/2024 at 6:24 PM, superrob3000 said:

Thanks Joe! I think it was @MysterNybble that talked about wanting to do that on one of the twitch streams. That's where I got/stole the idea 😄

 @superrob3000 well done! I'm glad you found some inspiration during the stream - all ideas are free; you did the important bit, getting it done 😂. It's really cool to see the NFC stuff come to life.

[spotUP]

And now that we have it working nicely... i got this idea... 

Wouldn't it be awesome if bigbox went into a kind of screen saver mode with an animation or so prompting the user to scan a card to play?

[spotUP]

I really struggled to get my ACR122U  card reader working with windows. Here's a guide.

1.  Turn on Smart Card Plug and Play service via regedit;
Registry Hive    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry Path    SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\ScPnP
Value Name    EnableScPnP
Value Type    REG_DWORD
Enabled Value    1
Disabled Value    0

2. plug in the card reader

3. install this driver: https://www.acs.com.hk/en/driver/3/acr122u-usb-nfc-reader/

Check in device manager that your card is found and named ACR122 Smart Reader.

4. Edit your services like in this screenshot:

Right click the service and apply as seen here.

5. Reboot.

6. Install the launchbox cli-launcher plugin by following the readme found in the archive here: 

6. Intall the NFC launcher found here;

Follow the instructions in the thread.

6. Scan a card, this will install the smart card drivers, that's why we enabled smart card plug n play.

7.Launch launchbox 

8. Right click a game, and select program nfc card (not the exact wording, but i am not at the arcade computer atm).

9. Scan the card again, the game should now launch.

Edited November 29, 2024 by spotUP

[piou44]

I’m using the same type of reader, the same driver, my reader is detected and works with NFC Tools, it’s visible with Launchbox. I’ve installed both plugins, and when I try, it says it can’t write to the card  (Write result : failed ) … Are you using Windows 10? I’m using Windows 11.”

Edited November 30, 2024 by piou44

[spotUP]

I am using windows 10 and i got the same error as you (among others) before i figured out the correct settings.

[piou44]

I just switched to a new NFC card, I'm no longer using the one provided with the reader, and it works!

[superrob3000]

On 12/1/2024 at 12:15 PM, piou44 said:

I just switched to a new NFC card, I'm no longer using the one provided with the reader, and it works!

@piou44 Glad you got it working. With the original cards that came with your reader, could you please send me the log file (LaunchBox\Logs\NFCLauncher.txt) after getting the Write Failed message? I'd like to track down what type of cards they are and try to add support for them.

Edited December 5, 2024 by superrob3000

[piou44]

On 12/5/2024 at 7:24 PM, superrob3000 said:

@piou44 Glad you got it working. With the original cards that came with your reader, could you please send me the log file (LaunchBox\Logs\NFCLauncher.txt) after getting the Write Failed message? I'd like to track down what type of cards they are and try to add support for them.

I no longer have the journal. I know that the cards that didn’t work were 'Classic 1K Cards,' and the ones I am using are 504.

[superrob3000]

3 hours ago, piou44 said:

I no longer have the journal. I know that the cards that didn’t work were 'Classic 1K Cards,' and the ones I am using are 504.

Thanks! Those are MIFARE type cards. I'll add support for them because (1) they come pre-packaged with some readers from amazon and (2) I'm pretty sure MIFARE cards are used by arcades and it'd be fun to re-purpose one of those cards for home arcade use.

Edited December 13, 2024 by superrob3000