Aaron Giles WIP

[Robert]

As the serious Mamers will know, the video system used in Mame is being redesigned. Aaron has just posted details on his website here, but to save you from the grossly technical stuff, here is a quick summary:

 

* The .art files are replaced by XML-based .lay files. Conversion is required.

 

* Multiple screen layouts are coded internally in XML, and can be selected at runtime. They describe how many screens are used, and how they are orientated and positioned.

 

* DirectDraw is not supported. Only GDI or Direct3D 8.0 (or higher) can be used.

 

* The command-line options are completely changed.

 

* Any font can be chosen for the user interface.

 

* May possibly be a command-line switch to select arcade-monitor mode or VGA-monitor mode.

 

* More to come...

[Necromancer]

Sounds great! What about 3D games? Will they be faster now because of Direct3D?

[iq_132]

Sounds great! What about 3D games? Will they be faster now because of Direct3D?

 

Not really, no. What makes those games so slow is the processors (CPUs) being emulated.

[flowrent]

Meaning you will run Mame only with a video card fully supporting Direct X 8.0 or above ?

[iq_132]

Nope, it should work on pretty much any old video card. if you want to use the dx8.0 blitter, you just need dx8 installed. Also, GDI should allow pretty much anyone to run mame.