Game Launching

[Dudley]

There is an explanation above somewhere, but I don't really follow it. I didn't think MB used XML files but just read the database on the fly so not sure how to add.

Games are a little different to movies as you install them so you either have a games directory with all your installed games in it or use the default program files folder in with everything else and also game directories may have multiple exe files, which would create problems launching the correct one each time.

So.. What would be really useful if MB supported the shortcut extension. Then you could create a directory for Games anywhere on your PC, create folders for each game inside and then drop the corresponding exe game shortcut into each folder.

I created a uservoice for it here - http://videobrowser.uservoice.com/pages/3660-general/suggestions/228867-game-launching...


I know developers want to concentrate on the video side but with podcasts, trailers and plugins media browser is getting a bit broader and if it's a only a relatively easy task to get PC games launching then it would be a nice inclusion.

[xknight2000]

I am very keen on the emulator launcher idea. I have just downloaded Maximum Arcade on the 30 day trial and its a good app but nothing beats the look and feel to Media Browser.

The idea of changing the file names is a good idea, but can this be done with other system roms like SNES, Genesis / Mega Drive etc....

Surely it wouldn't be a huge job to add the option to add your own file extensions and program to run them in the config menu, or am I wrong?

[shooty*]

That kind of mirrors what I've suggested in my comics thread.

[xknight2000]

The layout and format of Media Browser is perfect for any HTPC set-up but what we need is the option to add other file types that are launched using external programs, something that is half offered at the moment.

[DemonSeed]

@Dudley will you give a walk through on how you set that up? OR a better question do you have it launching games just by pushing the play button?
I very much like how you have it looking but does it work? I would love to do that to mine. I have 50 some odd games, and that would be to damn cool to launch them from MB.
But I do have one question, is there a way to have the game launch to the TV (Secondary Monitor) and not the PC Monitor (Primary) with out changing the TV to (Primary)?

[Dudley]

I've not got it launching games but I think another poster thinks they have, but I can't seem to get mediabrowser to launch .exe, .bat and shortcuts, i'd like to know how. I made the screenshots to kinda attract the devs and get more interest from other users, but I suppose now it's gone commercial they'll be less chance of seeing it in the near future.

I would think this would be quite easy for the devs to add, at least firing off the .exe anyways.

I have a lot of PC games too, currently I use emucenter to launch them, that works ok, but I would obviously prefer it all in media browser. I use hyperspin to launch emulator games as emucenter is too buggy, HS works great but doesn't really 'fit' with media center.

[Dudley]

The layout and format of Media Browser is perfect for any HTPC set-up but what we need is the option to add other file types that are launched using external programs, something that is half offered at the moment.

Why would we need to launch games via external programs, most of the time it's just a game.exe that needs to be triggered. Or do you mean from 'steam' etc? Or do you mean emulators? i've kinda not mentioned them as there is a lot more work in getting them working properly, theres always issues with how to exit the programs without using the mouse and keyboard and unless another program has been created to 'close' them, it's quite an ungraceful affair.

[DemonSeed]

Oh OK then thank for the update.

[swears]

+1 for this feature.

[george28]

I am dying for an emulator plugin! That would be too good to be true :)