README

EmuLoader

Intro

EmuLoader is a front-end application for game emulators, mainly specialized in platforms like M.A.M.E. (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator) and Demul (a Sega Dreamcast and arcade emulator).

The main website is https://emuloader.com

🎮 What is an Emulator Front-End?

In simple terms, an emulator front-end is a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that acts as a "game launcher" and organizer for your ROMs and emulators. Instead of having to navigate through folders, .exe files, and command lines, EmuLoader allows you to:

• Browse your game collection visually (with screenshots, titles, and information).
• Launch games with a double click, automatically managing the necessary settings for the underlying emulator (M.A.M.E., Demul, etc.).
• Filter and sort games based on various criteria (genre, year, manufacturer, etc.).

✨ Key Features of EmuLoader

EmuLoader is valued for its clean interface and a set of specific functionalities that make it a powerful tool for arcade and retro console enthusiasts:

1. Advanced M.A.M.E. Support: It was developed with M.A.M.E. in mind. It offers tools to manage complex ROM sets, easily find missing or non-working games, and use advanced filters specific to arcade emulation.
2. Demul Integration: It has excellent integration with the Demul emulator (for Sega Dreamcast, Naomi, Naomi 2, Atomiswave), allowing you to launch these systems seamlessly.
3. Customization: It provides extensive options for customizing the look and layout, including the display of preview images, videos, and game artwork.
4. Database Management: It scans and validates your ROMs against the emulator databases (like M.A.M.E.'s listxml) to ensure your files are correct and up-to-date.

In summary, EmuLoader is the ideal tool if you want a powerful and dedicated interface to organize and launch your M.A.M.E. and Demul game collections efficiently and attractively.

Diagnostic logging (Delphi 13)

The Delphi 13 port is version 10.0.0, with file/product version 10.0.0.0 and the Windows Pre-release flag enabled until the stable release. The flag does not add a beta suffix to the version displayed in the application or logs.

Logging is disabled by default. Enable Enable Diagnostic Log (Troubleshooting) in Preferences > General, or launch the application with:

EmuLoader.exe --debug-log

The command-line option forces logging for that session, even if the preference is off. The preference takes effect immediately and is saved when the preferences dialog closes. It is also read before the splash screen on subsequent starts.

diagnostic.log is written beside EmuLoader.exe, in UTF-8. It records session information, startup/status messages, clicked window controls, list loading and filtering, emulator launches and exit codes, application message dialogs, VCL event exceptions (including their addresses), and normal shutdown milestones. Logging is serialized across threads. At 5 MiB, the log rolls over to diagnostic.log.1, retaining only one previous file. A write failure disables logging and displays a warning; normal error dialogs are still shown.

For a bug report, enable logging, reproduce the problem, and include both log files if present. Review them before sharing: they can contain local paths, game names and emulator command lines. No keyboard text is captured. A hard process termination or an unhandled worker-thread crash may leave only the last operation, not an exception or shutdown record; this is not a crash dump or a full stack-trace reporter.

History

This Repository was created to continue the work of Ciro Alfredo Consentino, who developed this front-end for over 20 years, providing us with an excellent product without ever asking for anything in return.

He passed away on December 7, 2021. You can read the family's tribute in the local newspaper at this link: https://www.gazetadopovo.com.br/curitiba/falecimentos/falecimentos-curitiba-7-12-2021/.

The project is currently looking for Delphi developers to carry on his legacy and great work."