MAME/MESS XML and include files

[Picapika]

Hello, how are you?.

I'm a happy RetroFE user since 2018.

I have just a little question:
Usually I update MAME in my cabinet once a year.
Sometimes the XMLs for the current version are not avalaible. So I must wait for the next release until XMLs are avalaible.
Can you share any tutorial to create these XMLs myself?.
I have a menu of MAME arcade games separated by categories, using the provided XMLs here.
It would be great if I can create those files if are not avalaible for the MAME version avalaible at that time.

Thanks in advance -

[Agent47]

There should be a code folder in the xml download

[Picapika]

There should be a code folder in the xml download

Thanks a lot, Agent47 .

What software should I use to generate the xml lists with "create_mame_xml.cpp" inside that folder?.
Another thing I forgot to mention is the need to generate the "include" txt files.
Maybe using "RomLister"?.

Regards.

[Pieter Hulshoff]

The .cpp file is a C++ code file. You need to compile it in order to get an executable that you can run. If you've never done that before, it might be a bit tricky. I generate these files twice a year now, and the last version of the XML is usually pretty compatible with the latest version of MAME; there's not a lot of changes in the arcade department these days.

[Picapika]

The .cpp file is a C++ code file. You need to compile it in order to get an executable that you can run. If you've never done that before, it might be a bit tricky. I generate these files twice a year now, and the last version of the XML is usually pretty compatible with the latest version of MAME; there's not a lot of changes in the arcade department these days.

Thanks a lot, Pieter .

So if I compile the cpp file will I be able to generate the "include.txt" files?.

I understand, if the last version of the xmls will be compatible maybe I'll just wait for next release when I'll update Mame again.

Just wanted to know how to generate the xmls and include.txt files because I'm a bit meticulous .

Regards.

[Pieter Hulshoff]

No, sorry. The include files are created by a Linux script that extracts the name field from each xml file. Perhaps I should expand my program to output that as well.

[Picapika]

No, sorry. The include files are created by a Linux script that extracts the name field from each xml file. Perhaps I should expand my program to output that as well.

No problem, Pieter. Thanks again.
It would be great to have the program with full capability.
I'll follow your advice and use the latest version avalaible at that time.
Have a nice weekend.
Regards .

[Pieter Hulshoff]

MAME/MESS 0.221 files have been added.

[fattyfat]

1.As per the initial post in this thread when you say install as MAME.xml does that simply mean put it in the correct directory?  If so Where would that be? I added all the files to my meta directory but I just dropped them in as downloaded. I can't get include.text to work for collections (i.e.Atari Classics)?  This may be because I have all my roms in one directory and use .sub to create my games list per collection? I noticed the include works in Atari 2600 where there is no .sub being used.

2. I can't seem to get a custom playlist to work either, when I drop one in it still only cycles between Favorite and original list. Assuming this has to do with not having a matching xml in the correct directory?

3. Is there an easy way to make lists or subs that exclude clones?  I can control the game list by manipulating the .text into a .sub but man that creates a lot of duplicates from the existing collections hyperlists.

Sorry for the newbie questions I am very new to RetroFE and I think I'm mostly figuring stuff out.  I have learned a ton from Peter's posts!!
Thanks in advance to anyone who can shed some light on my silly issues.

[Picapika]

Hello, how are you?.

I have a question: last avalaible MAME XML and include is 0.221. Current MAME version is 0.234.
More than a year has passed.
Is there any plans to release a new XML and include pack?.

Thanks in advance.

Have a nice week.

[Pieter Hulshoff]

Not really to be honest. I lost quite a lot of files in a HD crash, and with the few arcade games being added these days I have trouble motivating myself to go through all the work involved in getting everything up and running again.

[Picapika]

Not really to be honest. I lost quite a lot of files in a HD crash, and with the few arcade games being added these days I have trouble motivating myself to go through all the work involved in getting everything up and running again.

I understand, Pieter.

Thank you for your quick reply.

Regards.

[Pieter Hulshoff]

Ok, with a lot of trial and error I think I've managed to create files for MAME 0.236 again. Keeping my fingers crossed that everything went as it should, but if you want to give it a go you can find them at the Download page.

[Picapika]

Thank you very much, Pieter .

I will download them right now.

Regards ^_^.

[Picapika]

Good evening.

I was about to update the "include.txt" files for MAME 0.236 but all the genre lists inside "RetroFE Include MAME 0.236" are blank.

I noticed there's a genre folder under the MAME 0.236 directory with xml files.

Maybe the lists can be generated from them?.

Regards and thanks .