Should The Compat List Go Online?

[Low Lines]

I have had the request thrown at me several times now, about having some kind of auto update for the Compatibility List. Now I agree that it would be a great idea that whenever you load up the list (provided you are connected to the net) you will have an up-to-date database. It would be possible to do this with the Downloadble Version, but I'm just asking if anyone thinks it should become an online Database?? This would allow me to add things like Boxart and perhaps Screenshots and other media that might be useful.

This in no way means it is going to happen (but who knows??), I would just like to know if people think it's a good idea.

(This is my first every poll, so I hope I've done everything right!!)

[sigloiv]

It sounds like a great idea to me. It could be a heck of a lot like Mame32 with the boxart and so forth...

[RockmanForte]

Yes yes! Go for it...it will be nice when this emu is playable like mame32 because I do collected boxart and so forth as well.

I vote yes!

[GCFreak]

Yes too. Besides, that CompatFlash thing is zipped up in a zip file that is corrupt.

[sigloiv]

The zip worked perfectly fine for me.

[Cyberman]

I suggest you use the Release ID (#) for the index and you should require a CRC/MD5 code for the game ID. If they don't know what these are then, maybe they shouldn't be submitting compatibilty information.

As for weather online or not.. just provide a link to it, if you need hosting space ASK (nicely) Martin. He can provide web space for it.

Cyb

[Low Lines]

That would be the other thing, what other information should be added to it??

So far I've got,

Name,
Country/Region,
Rom Size,
Official Release Date,
Genre,
Number of Players,
Publisher,
Developer,
Serial,
Internal Name,
Multiplayer Info (such as if it can link up with one or multiple copies of the game)

I also will have the CRC/MD5 to and perhaps a list of all the release IDs since there can be several releases of the same game.
Is there anything else that should be included?? Bare in mind that all that I have said is not currently in download release. I want the fields to be decided ASAP, because it's a hassle to add another field later on.

Things such as emulator compatibility could be done in a separate XML or something, and could be called by perhaps using the serial or which ever piece of information would find it best. That way the list could be used for other emulators (just a thought) with little problems.


And I'm pretty sure the "zip" file isn't corrupted, maybe there was just an error whilst downloading it, but if other people get the same problem, I'll upload it again.

[Cyberman]

I recomend a description field and comment field.
The description field is just good for a reminder of what the game is! I know when I look at the Japanese games my mind goes blank from there names LOL.

Cyb

[Low Lines]

Yeah, I've been thinking about trying to simplify that problem, particularly with the Japanese games.
My idea at the moment is to group all versions of the same game (ie US, EUR, JAP) into one item in the list and giving them their own tab page when you select that game. Items in the list would display like this,

Example:
Super Mario 64 DS (E)(J)(U)

And when they get selected, you would be able to choose which region version you would like to look at by selecting the appropriate tab. This probalby sounds complicated, but it's the easiest way I can think of that would make recognising games easier. Plus having a boxart image, would help cos most country regions tend to have a similar cover.

This is still just an idea, and I'm working on it at the moment, I may post a screenshot or something later, to give you a better idea at what I'm talking about. But I'll take your advice about the Descriptions and comments fields, though with something like that I would need help from others due to the large number of games that are out there.

[RockmanForte]

Okay..good luck! NDS deserves it!

By the way, for this iDeaS 1.0.0.6 Compatibility List

Go there, Low Lines... because I tested Resident Evil DS (J) already.