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First DOS-Gamebase (Test)

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Vicman
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First DOS-Gamebase (Test)

Wed Dec 23, 2009 7:35 pm

Hi Guy's,
I've found out a way, to start DosGames with Gamebase :D


Please Test this very small TEST-GB !

To let it work, you need to install the Gamebase on F:\Gamebase

(or you have to edit the *.conf-file in each zipped Gamedump)

something like :
mount C "F:\GBGame\ReZip\"
C:
cd\
call GAME.BAT


As i said before :
This is only a Test DOS-Gamebase, but it seems to Work !!!
So, as far as I now, .mad. is very interresting to make a
Dos-Gamebase....
Maybe Hardmanm , too ?

So, take a look to my idea !
I don't have the time to create this Gamebase, 'cause i'm very
busy with ecc-imagepacks :wink:

http://rapidshare.com/files/325013178/Dos-GB.zip

regards & merry christmas,
Vicman
GB done: Philips VG 5000, Sord-M5, Acorn Atom, Enterprise v1.00
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.mad.
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Thu Dec 24, 2009 9:38 am

Thanks VICman.
i knew you could do it. 8)

WHOOOO!

a very good use of the Defend Configs,
it will make the games a lot easier to set up.
--------
do i just need to tag all the configs with this code.
------------------------
[autoexec]
@echo off
SET PATH=Z:\
keyb GR 437
mount C "C:\GBGame\ReZip\"
C:
cd\
Z:\config.com -securemode > nul
call GAME.exe
------------------------
and change the keyboard to UK. :wink:
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K.C.
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Thu Dec 24, 2009 10:17 am

Hi Vicman,

Thanks for your efforts, but there are some major problems with the way your DOS-GB works.
Most important is the use of hardcoded paths in the Conf file of every game.
This means that this gamebase will only work if you have the Gamebase frontend installed in F:\Gamebase. Most - if not all - of us have it installed in another folder.

I have made an imporoved version that will run on all Gamebase installations.
However, there are some disadvantages of using Gamebase to run DOS games:
  • The current version (1.2) extracts all files from an archive into one folder. Many DOS games have a structure of subfolders. These games will not work in Gamebase, unless you take special actions for this (for example, you can rezip it with the original archive, pkunzip.exe and a batch file that extracts everything with the -d option and starts the game).
    James is working on version 1.3. There is a good chance that this version will keep the folder structure when extracting archives, but it is sill in the beta phase.
  • DOSBox has many options that are not directly accessible from the front end (machine type, sound card etc.). A workaround is to use a custom Conf file or using key=value pairs, but it can be done easier with other frontends.
Because of this, I think it is better to use D-Fend Reloaded for example. It supports automatic modification of all DOSBox options and has a really great interface.
Also you can document everything you need (publisher, year, genre, screenshots, movies, sounds etc.)

If you still want to use Gamebase for organizing DOS games (it can be done, so why not):
you can download an improved version of Vicman's Test DOS-GB right here.

These are the most important differences between Vicman's and my version:
  • Supported native filetypes changed from .Conf to .bat;.com;.exe
    Using a Conf file can be specified in a better way (see below).
  • Created a GEMUS script that will start DOSBox with all settings that are correct for the currently selected game.
  • Field True Drive Emulation (in Version tab) changed to Run Full Screen.
    TDE is not needed for DOS games, so you can now easily specify per game if you want it to run Full Screen.
  • Changed text.ini: renamed True Drive Emulation to Run Full Screen.
  • Used relative pathing. Copying the package to a subfolder of Gamebase will run everyting without changing any setting.
  • Created support for the machine type with the key=value pair Machine.
    For every game you can specify if it must be run on a Hercules, CGA, EGA or VGA machine. DOSBox will start with the specified machine type.
  • Created support for loading custom .Conf files by using the key=value pair config.
  • Created support for additional commands for starting DOSBox (like mounting a virtual diskette or CD-Rom) by using the key=value pair command.
Last, but not least: here is the updated GEMUS script for DOSBox:

Code: Select all

;******************************
;* GEMUS SCRIPT FOR DOSBOX    *
;*                            *
;* Created by K.C. 24-12-2009 *
;*                            *
;******************************

;--------------------------------------------
;Add the filename to launch and the standard
;options to the command line parameters
;--------------------------------------------
Add_CLP(%gamepathfile% -exit -noconsole)

;--------------------------------------------
;load optionally a custom .Conf file
;This can be specified by typing:
;config=<Filename.Conf>
;after selecting a game and pressing F2
;This Conf file must be included in the root
;of the game package.
;--------------------------------------------
If Key_Config CONTAINS(*)
	Add_CLP( -conf %gamepath%\%config_value%)
End If

;--------------------------------------------
;Start the game in Full Screen mode if
;selected in the Version tab
;--------------------------------------------
If TrueDriveEmu = YES
	Add_CLP( -fullscreen)
End If

;----------------------------------------------------
;Set the machine type to one of the following values:
;hercules, cga, tandy, vga
;by typing Machine=<machinetype> in the F2 screen
;vga is the default machine type
;----------------------------------------------------
If Key_Machine CONTAINS(*)
	Add_CLP( -machine %machine_value%)
End If

;----------------------------------------------------
;You can specify one or more extra commands
;(for example mounting a disk or CD-Rom) by typing
;command=Command1 -c Command2 -c Command 3
;in the F2 screen of every game.
;----------------------------------------------------
If Key_command CONTAINS(*)
	Add_CLP( %command_value%)
End If

;----------------------------------------------------
;Optionally edit the Command Line Parameters
;before launching the game
;----------------------------------------------------
;Edit_CLP(Game will be started with the following Command Line Parameters:)

;---------------------------
;Run the emulator
;---------------------------
Run_Emulator()
Vicman
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Thu Dec 24, 2009 1:21 pm

Hi K.C. ,

thanks for your great Script !
I knew, my Test-GB is not perfect, only an Idea.
And i didn't know, how to write a Script, to make a better Support for this GB.

Of course, i know & use DFend-Reloaded for my Dosgames. It's really Great !
But i thought, it would be also nice, to archiv the DosGames in Gamebase 8)
I also use the Frontend eCC for my Collections.
In the near Future it will also Support DosGames :wink:

I will test your Script in the next days !

@ .mad.
Feel free to create a Dos-GB, when you have finshed your other GB-Project.

A nice source for a good sorted Dos-Collection, you will find on UG :
The DOS Collection 1980-1989 release 1 [All/1989]
GB done: Philips VG 5000, Sord-M5, Acorn Atom, Enterprise v1.00
hardmanm
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Thu Dec 24, 2009 5:53 pm

The Dos gamebase project is an really excellant idea.
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.mad.
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Fri Dec 25, 2009 9:30 am

Been working on Gamebases for a few Collections.

Hargel's Archive (1980-1989)
all games are Pre-Installed (550MB)
and could be run from there own DIR unzipped.
This could be updated monthly with newer games.
-----
The other is DOS Collection v0.8 (17GB)
this is a lot harder to set up.
lots of games will need installing by each user first.
and Gamebase will also need to handel unzipping Directories.
which it doen't at the moment.
hardmanm
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Sun Feb 14, 2010 9:27 pm

How is the Dos Gamebase doing? This has to be one of the most important ones ever.
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.mad.
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Mon Feb 15, 2010 2:46 pm

all game files are linked.
with company and date entered.
with an excellent script by K.C.

however, i have been waiting for the new release of Gamebase that extracts the sub folders from zips.
as the DOS Gamebase is useless without this function.

there are two versions on the go as i am trying and testing games.
the first uses Hargel's Dos collection and can be compressed under 450MB.
but this only contains the older DOS games pre 1990.
so no Monkey Island ect.

and the large DOS collection V0.8 17GB
alot of the games need installing, re-archiving and uploading again. Which i am not looking forward to. :roll:

* i will send the whole collection (when complete) on DVDs
* to a selected few people, who can help me seed it. 8)

or i can just release it as a public gamebase.
where everyone can join in, installing and uploading the larger games from the DOS collection. :shock:
hardmanm
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Mon Feb 15, 2010 3:46 pm

Thanks for the updated information, i would be interested as being a seeder :)
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Jimbo
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Mon Feb 15, 2010 4:21 pm

.mad. wrote:however, i have been waiting for the new release of Gamebase that extracts the sub folders from zips.
as the DOS Gamebase is useless without this function.
Hi .mad.

Incase you missed it, there's a new beta out that has the sub-folder capability, tho there's a few bugs already mentioned which I'm working on.
James
hardmanm
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Wed Jun 30, 2010 1:24 pm

Any news on a release?
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joebucci
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Thu Oct 21, 2010 9:43 am

I mentioned this in another area of the forum, where someone was having trouble running the GB "Installer" on his new Windows 7 machine.

I suggested he install on an XP Box, and just "move" it to the 7 computer with a flash drive or ext HDD (keeping the same directory structure of course).

Why doesn't the DOSBox team make a .ZIP or .RAR file available as well as their installer? I don't want to "clutter" up my Route directory! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE DOSBox... But!

I *always* install it on my "secondary" computer, and THEN WinRAR it and move it to my 'other' PC and put it in the folder of my choice. I may have to edit the .conf file... But, I *want* my emulators in my "Emulators" folder!

HAHAHA!! Sorry, that's just how I AM! ;)

later!
Joe Bucci
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K.C.
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Thu Oct 21, 2010 10:03 am

You can also extract the files from the installer with 7-Zip or use the portable version of DOSBox.
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Thu Oct 21, 2010 10:09 am

Very cool! - Thanks K.C. I didn't even think of trying 7-zip. I just downloaded DOSBox74 portable too!

Thank again!
JB
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Mon Jun 20, 2011 5:49 am

Does anybody know of other bands like Dos Gringos? I'm becoming a big fan of the "almost" famous fighter pilot band called Dos Gringos. Does anybody know of somebody who does aviaton related music like theirs?
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Last edited by brethane on Thu Jun 23, 2011 12:52 am, edited 1 time in total.

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