Mega Games Cartridge (MGC) MK II Menu Development

[daveejhitchins]

I've started this new thread for the MGC MK II Menu Development. This will include all aspects of the software associated with the MK II contents.

As I mentioned here I'm not keen of the 'Look' of the current MMC Menus. Here are screen shots of those Menus:

BEEB MMC Menu

Electron MMC menu

Current MGC Menu

OK, I'm biased and not ashamed to say so . . . There was way more effort put into the MK I Menu system than the hardware and I think it was worth it! Given the speed of loading, of both Menu and Games, we achieved on the Electron I think a Master version would be very acceptable. Plus I believe a common interface would more presentable!

If non MGC users would like to 'play' with the current MGC Menu (?) I've attached a zip containing two files - these will/should work on Master and Electron hardware as will as my development platform BeebEM3 [in Master Mode]):
(1) is the INDEX - Load into sideways bank #0
(2) is the MenuROM - load into sideways bank #1
From there select the ROMFS (*ROM) and then *RUN !BOOT
Note: You can use sideways pair #2 and #3 as an alternative.

I've been looking at the Indexing for the Menu system. Although different from the MGC Indexing (due to different hardware requirements) I don't see why it couldn't be adopted for the MK II using the MK I Menu. I currently don't know what the column headings are or what some of the data fields represent, but I'm sure someone will point me in the right direction.

I'm not asking anyone to do the Menu integration (but I wouldn't refuse any help, if offered), however, assistance with the Indexing would be appreciated.

Dave H

MGC MK I Menu.ssd.zip

(10.88 KiB) Downloaded 15 times

[jbnbeeb]

Hi Dave
sent you a mail the other day - I'd like to help /chip in with adapting the MGC mk 1 menu to mk11...

[daveejhitchins]

I've spent some time organising the Games index. Still some information to add! I'm working with Ray Harper's index (which is based on the AEW DVD) and the Beeb MMC list (kindly supplied by Lee (leenew).

A question I have: In the Beeb MMC list there's a column relating to whether the game supports saving. There seems to be 'STD' and 'STT'

Could anyone enlighten me as to what these refer to, please.

Thanks Dave H

[pau1ie]

STD' and 'STT'

Save to disc

And

Save to tape

[daveejhitchins]

Save to disc

And

Save to tape

D'oh! Of course . . . However, I believe we discussed - somewhere (may have been off post), that it might be possible to capture/divert all to MGC storage ??

Dave H

[pau1ie]

I believe we discussed - somewhere

You are probably thinking of someone else. I am watching with interest and hope that something similar will be usable for the bbc master, but I never got in to the electron. Also I dont understand enough to be able to contribute much on this topic!

[daveejhitchins]

Ah! Sorry . . . The ‘we’ was meant to be the ‘team’ - in fact, I believe it was JGH who suggested it may be possible.

Master version is a parallel project. And as for your involvement - I’m alreadyy using some of your hard work, in the form of looking-up games details on the Games web site — invaluable, and has saved me hours.

So many thanks from me

Dave H