14 replies to this topic

[DaemonX]

Hi all,

Just been reading some of the comments on the Shoutbox, and I've been wondering.

Specially in my case as I take longer to DX due to commitments, Can we have a Sticky REQUEST THREAD?

Basically, a lot of people want layouts redone in say 1024 as they can't see 1600 etc. I was wondering if we should have a kinda request thread for re-releases of layouts into other size formats.

We could have a request submitted, say for 1024 Red Hot Roll (as an example), and then someone could reply (either new designer wanting to have a go or DX'r) with. I'll do 1024 RHR, this'll stop clashes between designers whereby 3 people are doing the same job.

Or, someone might pop up with, I'm working on this already, so I'll finish it off etc.

There can't be that many layouts that people want resized, thats not been done already.

[Deano]

Good idea. Its nice to have a laptop sometimes but feel left out on some of the larger layouts. Always wanted to play lotto luck 1024. Noticed on some of the more recent layouts that there has been a follow up 1024. Most appreciated. Hope lotto luck has not been done on 1024, on mobile atm and difficult to navigate. Just one off the top of my head.

[spa]

The auto Shrink was put in mfme3.2 for a reason.

If it's a mfme9XX then by all means

[DaemonX]

The auto Shrink was put in mfme3.2 for a reason.

If it's a mfme9XX then by all means

Gotta agree with you there spa, thats why the 2nd option in the poll mentions MFME3.2 so that people looking at the poll will think... ooooh... didn't know it did that and try before asking

[Zoltar]

To be honest, requests don't usually make someone create a layout. Or re-create a layout in a smaller size. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but if someone asked me to re-do a layout but smaller, usually, I've got so bored with the original, I really cannot be bothered to go back and make a smaller one.

The other point is that when someone makes a layout, it's usually only that size as thats what their PC set-up makes it easier to make a layout in. Someone with a 1280 x 1024 set-up wouldn't make a 1600 layout. But the reasons why are simple in that case. Yes, making a layout smaller is possible but often, the layout designer isn't happy with the quality and some won't bother going through with it. I'd certainly not make a smaller version of one of mine and stick my name on it if the downsizing means it looks poor.

Besides all that though, I see no harm in a request thread asking for different sized layouts. But like I said, usually if it hasn't been done already, it's just not worth the time and effort to a layout designer. And unfortunately, with only a few exceptions, FME is a 'like it or lump it' situation. If you can't play a layout because it's too big for your screen, then it's pretty much tough luck. I've seen over the years where simple requests to make a layout smaller because it doesn't fit a screen, have been replied with 'get a bigger monitor' type of replies.

And something else. What percentage of the userbase can't see or play a 1600? This is probably the majority. Whilst I can see a good reason to make say a 1280 version of a 1600 as I'm presuming most people should be able to get to this resolution (1200 that is), I very much doubt that re-doing a 1280 into a 1024 would have enough people downloading the finished product. So theres a trade-off for a layout designer. Spend a week making a 1280 into a 1024, and only a handful of players benefit, or move onto a new project, a new layout where the large majority benefit. Although I'd love to help, I'd doubt I'd ever re-do a layout in a smaller size if requested by just one or two people.

[£6 In Tokens]

Good idea Dae. There are a few I'd like to see in 1024. Jackpoteers is a recent one that springs to mind (DAD release). I like this game but can't see further than the reels, also Ploggy latest release. I could do myself but again due to commitments...........Also there are DX'ers looking for something to do.

Think it's good idea.

:devil:

[baz]

I very much doubt that re-doing a 1280 into a 1024 would have enough people downloading the finished product. So theres a trade-off for a layout designer. Spend a week making a 1280 into a 1024, and only a handful of players benefit, or move onto a new project, a new layout where the large majority benefit. Although I'd love to help, I'd doubt I'd ever re-do a layout in a smaller size if requested by just one or two people.

Have a look at the mpu5 section, Some of the 1024's are over 1000 downloads and probably downloaded more than the 1280 version ?.
There's definitely a need for them with, older monitors and graphics cards, widescreen laptops etc.
Quality "might" suffer on some machines, but I don't think most people care as long as they get to play their favourite fruity.

Requests is a good idea, but a good few have no flyer etc to do them sadly.

[Zoltar]

Have a look at the mpu5 section, Some of the 1024's are over 1000 downloads and probably downloaded more than the 1280 version ?.
There's definitely a need for them with, older monitors and graphics cards, widescreen laptops etc.
Quality "might" suffer on some machines, but I don't think most people care as long as they get to play their favourite fruity.

Requests is a good idea, but a good few have no flyer etc to do them sadly.

I forgot about laptops. I guess there is a market there. The post of mine was only my opinion of things of course. I still think that whilst theres stuff still to be done, roms with no layouts ect..., these will probably always be prioritised and thought about first before revisiting past layouts. And it's a shame that not everyone is catered for.

Over the years, things advance of course. The 'layout size' issue has been discussed many times over the seven or so years the scene has gone on. And no doubt in 5 years time, when 1600's are possibly the norm, the same requests will be made.

I visited the fledgeling scene long before even Fruit Forums was around. Back in the 'Free Trials' days of the first MPU3/4 emulator that was being sold for £50 with a handful of games. Joy soon became frustration as I only had a 800 x 600 display that even had trouble showing classic versions. A year later, FF had started, I had a better set-up that could display upto 1024, and even the emulator ran at the correct speed. I had to evolve to even have a look in to see what was coming out of the early FME land. It was still a few years before I turned out my first layout and 1280's were just starting to appear and thoughts of another PC upgrade filled my head. Layout size will always be a topic of discussion.

[DaemonX]

Thats what we're hear for, to hear opinions.

Although there 'may' or may not be a market, I think there is as I've been looking at laptops recently, and most have 1280 x 800 resolutions, which stops 1200's from being played. as you're 224 pixels short.

From reading the comments so far, I'm not saying... like a garage, someoine asks and it's ready in a week. I just think it'd be nice for somewhere where people can make requests, and those of us that don't have access to the latest flyers and roms can still DX. Also, as i mentioned earlier, it'd be good to know who's doing what.

I don't mean so yo can say.... when's it gonna be ready? as some WIP threads are still WIPs a year later lol, it's just so that if someone fancies doing a DX, they'll be able to see from this section who wants what.

Also, you've gotta allow for the 50,000 members who don't post, maybe they want a machine but were afraid to ask, (due to our flaming lol)

[fruitmachineemu]

is there anyway that we could put a resize on mfme 9.4 + then everyone can play even if they have an 9inc TFT monitor ........

and i was thinking of doing 3 threads for

1224

1280

and so on then people dont need to search for the right standed play for there monitor as if the layout is to big they wasteing there time looking around then all you need to do is go into the 1224 laptop friendly file then all them can be put in there

[Liverpool2008]

Folders might be a idea ...

1024

1280

1600

in the downloads section

saves a lot of time searching and for those layouts that does not have 1280 or 1024 next to the file name

[fruitmachineemu]

i was thinking of putting all the fme game in a serten mfme folder

example

mfme 1.1 = MPU 3
mfme 2.0 = MPU 3
mfme 2.1 = MPU 3
mfme 3.0 = ECT ECT ECT
mfme 3.1
mfme 3.2
mfme 9.4
mfme 10.1a
mfme 11.8

[saynowt]

3.2 doesnt support the later layouts plus i think it spoils the look of the machine so i think its a very good idea.

[RB]

Theres also a slight technical hitch with the lamps in the emu when resizing larger layouts down to smaller sizes, resizing by a few pixels ie 1280x1024 (actually nearer 960 Pixels high) down to 800x600 (nearer 560 pixels high) can cause some smaller lamps to disappear from the Layout. Its even worse on a 1600 x1200 layout. That why i tend to totally redo a 1024 version if i can be arsed to do so, but usually by the time you have created one layout and play tested it and (sometimes) sorted any problems, you tend to be sick of it and wish to move onto something else, not redo ,relamp, retest etc etc
Wheres fruitymad and hurtland,?? they used to be the 1024 resize guys....