A Potentially Elegant Solution to Clones?

[cnm]

I've been wondering if it would be possible to incorporate some kind of clone selection in HyperSpin? Perhaps a button could be pressed to bring up a selection menu with the different versions of a game available (e.g. World, Japan, USA) that you could simply press 'down' or 'up' and select. That might be the best of both worlds - only one theme needed per game, but also allowing you to select a specific version of a game if you so choose.

Alternatively, another option (which could be turned on/off in settings depending on user preferences) could be some small text (e.g. World Set 1) in the corner of the screen listing the specific version being launched by default. Maybe by moving the joystick left or right could cycle through the different clones?

Just thought I'd throw those ideas out there unless they've already been covered (forum search didn't bring up any hits). The idea of having several instances of a game in the game wheel doesn't seem very appealing, and removing the various versions of each game from the game lists does limit one's options somewhat when selecting the game they wish to play.

Thanks for all of your hard work in making this such an exceptional FE!

[BadBoyBill]

Thanks for the suggestions, this is one area where I do need to do some thinking on how to handle clones. My original idea was to just allow clones to adopt the parent themes, but then you'd have lots of the same themes over and over again. Some want that but I dont, so I kinda like some of your ideas and I'll see what I can come up with.

I'd like to hear other peoples thoughts also.

[Aabra]

While I can understand somebody wanting to use a specific version of a game (US, Japanese, etc) I have a hard time wrapping my mind around the idea of wanting to switch between versions on a regular basis. Sure it would give you more options but are those options people actually use? Most people just pick one version that they like and stick with it don't they?

Anyways, if it was going to be implemented then the method suggested above is probably the best. As long as it could be disabled then it would be fine. Accidentally moving the joystick and loading up the japanese version would be annoying. It's not a feature I would use, however there are those who like completeness and they'd probably enjoy a feature like this.

[cnm]

Well, there are quite a few reasons for clones to exist besides just differing regions (although that plays a big part) - varying number of players in certain games (X-Men, Simpsons, TMNT) springs to mind too. And considering that many clones have either subtle or noticeable differences from their parents, I think that it is a justified feature. Obviously there will be some people won't use it on a regular basis, but that probably could be said for many front end and emulator features.

One of the things that makes MAME so unique is its emphasis on archival/preservation, hence resulting in a lot of different versions of the games. I think that Hyperspin 'integrating' clones in an unobtrusive manner would be a terrific way of having your cake and eating it too. :)

I attached a pic to give purely a visual example. It's just a menu from CPWizard, but I think something similar could really work in Hyperspin. Press a button, the selection menu pops up (thus not requiring any exit from the running theme), and you can scroll through to select a particular version of the game if you so choose. Offers a lot of versatility, while not bothering the uninterested.

If it were a pop-up selection menu, it probably wouldn't need a disable option as it would be dependent on a button press. If it was text (say, on the bottom left hand screen under the game name, for instance), then either a disable option, or making it dependent on a button press to scroll between versions (as opposed to a joystick movement) should prevent unintentional version swapping.

Just like BBB, though, I would like to hear other people's thoughts too.

[Captain Flint]

In all honesty, my appeal to Hyperspin is that i can choose which versions of games I want to use by just downloading the theme. To me I would prefer quality over quantity. Clones tend to cheapen the arcade feel for me...

But with that said.....


I really like the idea of a dropdown menu. I don't know how difficult that would be, but at least you eliminate the clutter.

[The Loafer]

That's a good idea. A small correction though, I believe that pic you attached is just mame's internal menu system, not related to cpwizard. Still, something like that would be cool, a good solution.

Maybe pressing a button calls up the parent/clone list and while holding the button down you can cycle through the choices, then letting go selects it. Quick, easy and painless. ;)

[billpa]

Quick, easy and painless. ;)

Says the guy not coding :D I think thats the best idea at least. Either that or all the clone lovers are going to have to make themes for themselves...hehe.

[XtraSmiley]

I like the original idea of hitting left and right to see words on the screen describe the clone/variant. The menu idea is not bad either, but both do need a way to be disabled.

Also, I'd still like to be able to do separate themes for clones as well. In one example I can think of, Trog by Midway (awesome game!) the prototype used the same graphics but was a totally different play mechanic resulting in a totally different type of game. In the current way HS is set up, only the final revision of Trog would pop up right? Situations like this would be nicer if they allowed someone to pick the version. I for one, would even want two different themes for this game, not just one theme with the hitting of left or right to select the different version.

Just my thoughts, great job so far on this FE guys!

[BadBoyBill]

Any game can support its own theme , clone or not.

[XtraSmiley]

Any game can support its own theme , clone or not.

Cool, I figured they would, but just wanted to throw that out there. When I get more time (and if no one beats me to it) I may end up working on this one myself. After all, people tend to work on games they like right?