A Request for the next update of Advmess

[Thenasty]

Always happy and greatfull for Admame/Advmess to be updated.

I use to compile my own flavor but stop many years ago.

The one thing that I always check on the New Update is some New Games Added, fixed etc... but there is this one thing that I wanted to see.

For the Atari 2600, the KEY C is hardcoded to make the screen Black/White to Color. Some games on the Atari does not use this but many does.

My Control is using that key "C" and does give me a little mystery when someone plays a game and sudenlly it flickers Black/White to Color etc..

There is no way to assign that key or remove it cause it's hardcoded.

Can the smart programmers like Andrea make it so we can assigned it to NONE or Some other key ? or just remove it completely for the next update ? : )

Many Thanks to All

[Andrea Mazzoleni]

I'm not sure I understand the problem.

I tried running some Atari 2600 games, but pressing the "C" key doesn't seem to have any effect. For example, when I run:

advmess a2600 -dev_cart amidar=amidar.bin

I assume you're using the DOS version? I haven't checked that one in a while, but I don't recall something like that...

[Thenasty]

yes I only use PURE DOS for OS with DOS Version of Advmame.

Atari 2600 has the SWITCH "COLOR/BLACK White" on the unit.

If you try Asteroids or Space Invaders, when you press "C" on the keyboard, it swithces to Black/White or COLOR.

Thanks

[Andrea Mazzoleni]

OK, got it. Try with the beta 222 at http://beta.advancemame.it/

[Thenasty]

Oh Wow Andrea, perfect. Now the "C" for Color/Black-White is gone but now the option for RESET GAME "2" is not funtioning. You can change it in the option for this sytem (it's always set to NONE) but after the change it does not save it in the RC file (in old version, it's was default to 2).

I tried Space Invader & River Raid, it does not work (you can't start the game) untill you go to the option to set a KEY.

Thanks again.

[Thenasty]

I was just looking at the old SRC

maybe it has accidentaly been changed to NONE

PORT_START / [8] SWCHB /
PORT_BIT( 0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("Reset Game") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_2)
PORT_BIT( 0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_START) PORT_NAME("Select Game")
PORT_BIT ( 0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_UNUSED )
PORT_DIPNAME( 0x08, 0x08, "TV Type" ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_C) PORT_TOGGLE
PORT_DIPSETTING( 0x08, "Color" )

[Andrea Mazzoleni]

Try with the beta 224, it should be fine now, and also configurable. The issue is that it was a not standard key name. Now I switched it to IPT_START and changed "Select" to IP_SELECT.

[Thenasty]

Perfect Andrea, Thank you much.

I know I have mentioned this before (i did a search and it was back in 2020).
Wow can't belive 5 years went by so quick.

Anyway, thank you very much for this update/fix.

I know there is another one like this situation on Mame/Advmame.
Its the spacefev (n8080.c) game that puzzled me years ago and gave up ont it.

It's up to you if you want to do something with it.

Here it is.

The ABC is to select what type of game you want to play but this keys (QWE) is also hardcoded just like the Atari key "C".

src:
PORT_BIT( 0x08, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_OTHER ) PORT_NAME("Game A") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_Q)
PORT_BIT( 0x10, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_OTHER ) PORT_NAME("Game B") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_W)
PORT_BIT( 0x20, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_OTHER ) PORT_NAME("Game C") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_E

for some reason, I am having the 70's, 80's flashback and started to play some old school games.

once again, Thank you Andrea.
[ ps: if I stumbled other situation, I will post :) ]

[Andrea Mazzoleni]

Check beta 225. Now you should be able to configure and save also such IPT_OTHER inputs.

[Thenasty]

thanks Andrea, I just donwload it and it's midnight.
I will try the b225 tomorrow.

i will just mentione this others:

seta (crazy fight) Hardcoded key (can't save it)

PORT_START_TAG("IN2") //Player - $610004.w
PORT_BIT( 0x0001, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_OTHER ) PORT_NAME("top-center") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_5_PAD)
PORT_BIT( 0x0002, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_OTHER ) PORT_NAME("bottom-center") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_2_PAD)
PORT_BIT( 0x0004, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_OTHER ) PORT_NAME("top-left") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4_PAD)
PORT_BIT( 0x0008, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_OTHER ) PORT_NAME("bottom-left") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_1_PAD)
PORT_BIT( 0x0010, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_OTHER ) PORT_NAME("top-right") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_6_PAD)
PORT_BIT( 0x0020, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_OTHER ) PORT_NAME("bottom-right") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_3_PAD)
PORT_BIT( 0x0040, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_UNKNOWN )
PORT_BIT( 0x0080, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_SERVICE1 ) // ticket

this other list below did not look which src but I have notes from years ago about the hardcoded key that you can't saved once changed.

Poker Ladies
BMC Bowling

Thanks again.
I will report about Advmame 225 beta.

[Thenasty]

spacefev (Space Fever) Game Select now is perfect. Changes are now saved.

Thanks Andrea