The infernal question
One question that I’ve been asked time and time again (and most recently by zx-81) is “why bother porting an emulator when there are other ports already?” This question was beaten to death when SMS Plus PSP was first released, and still comes up occasionally.
The number one reason is simply that I enjoy porting software to PSP, especially classic computer emulators. I like pushing the limits and capabilities of the (yet unnamed) psp library that I’ve been developing since the first fMSX release. The fact that another emulator may already exist (and may, in fact, be better) is a non-issue for me, as I don’t do it for any reason other than my personal satisfaction.
Second reason is that I believe having a choice in emulators is great. The only reason I got into programming for PSP is because I thought that the MSX emulators of the time could be a lot better.
I attempt to port in a manner that makes it possible to merge the PSP port with the main branch of the emulator, and I’m happy to let any interested maintainer of the emulator merge my code with theirs. I don’t generally touch emulation code, unless it results in significant optimization—the only exception to this rule has so far been fMSX and inclusion of SCC/MSXMusic/MSXAudio - and it’s largely thanks to the efforts of Vincent van Dam and his excellent fMSX SDL port.
When possible, I attempt to port a different emulator than one that’s already available. For example, as mentioned earlier, Caprice32 was not my first choice for a CPC emulator. Unfortunately, Arnold’s performance was nowhere near “acceptable,” so Caprice was my second choice.
And finally, there are a number of ported, working, but unfinished emulators that are currently littering my svn repository’s trunk branch, some of which may eventually see the light of day.
Hope this was enlightening. Comments are welcome.
November 22nd, 2007 at 1:06
I am so happy you done this port.
Does it read sna files because it does not see them in games. it appears to only see dsk.
November 22nd, 2007 at 8:38
Great worrk again,
Please continue to realse more ports even ones that have been done by others, yes it is nice to have choice and I think your menu system is great and the fact they are all the same (uniform) that is fantasic.
Vic20 next maybe?
I would love to know what else you have hidding in your vault of unrealsed ports.
Happy to test, i have slim and phat
The only thing i ask is can the cap port be made to see SNA files, it would be quicker
Many thanks
Darren
November 22nd, 2007 at 12:30
I agree with Darren, please keep up your great work.
I too like your menu system, and its layout.
I have 2 PSP’s, one running 3.71M33-3 and the other running 3.5M33-4.
The latter I use purely for homebrew apps and it currently has over 60, including many emulators.
I currently have 19 emulators and probably 5 or 6 that are “doubles” for want of a better word, mostly by zx-81 and yourself.
They are all great in there own way….Thanks very much for sharing you work.
November 22nd, 2007 at 12:56
00WRex are you have the same problem as me,
This port will not see SNA files created with PC version of Cap32 and to open a DSK you need to be able to type RUN “name of game”
I am unable to type “
November 22nd, 2007 at 15:07
Hi Darren,
I Have not tried SNA on this emulator yet, but the ” works by highlighting the keyboard (as normal), move to a shift key and press circle, keep holding R and move to the ” (you will notice shift is highlighted with a light red colour) press square like you do for normal keyboard input you should get the “.
(releasing the R trigger will reset the shift function, as will pressing circle while on it - toggles on/off).
Hope that makes sense.
November 22nd, 2007 at 15:27
OK I just checked and it appears that .sna (snapshot) files are not supported.
But I suppose the SaveState option works basically the same way.
The only downside is that you will not be able to use existing SNA’s but will have to create your own snapshots/Savestates.
I just did this and it works fine.
Example,
RUN” a disk game as you would normally.
When it has finished loading and you are at the main or initial menu screen, press your two shoulder buttons to get back to the EMU menus, go to Save/Load and choose to save.
Now all you have to do whenever you want to load a game is go to the game menu, Opening a game will go to a “reset” cpc screen.
Press your shoulder buttons to return to the EMU menu.
Go to Save/Load and you will see your “snapshot”…load it and there you are at the start of the game, without having to type RUN”xxxxx
November 22nd, 2007 at 15:35
Sorry me again,
Another good thing about doing the Save is that you can then delete the disk file from your PSP and save a bit of space on your memory stick.
As you probably know, each disk (.dsk) file is like an image of the complete disk (191k) even if a game is as small as 1k.
For example I just “saved” ghosts n Goblins and the savestate data is only 28k.
So if for example you have 100 CPC games on your memory stick you could save a bit of space.
November 22nd, 2007 at 18:26
Sorry…dis-regard my last post, I was not thinking…Brain fade.
You cannot delete the .dsk file as this is required, otherwise you will not be able to use the savestate (I had already explained how it works a couple of posts up…).
So the SNA option would be nice I suppose but not a necessity.
November 22nd, 2007 at 18:44
[...] - The infernal question 22. November 2007 Our Forum Member Uberjack has posted this on his blog: One question that Ive been asked time and time again (and most recently by zx-81) is why [...]