Feature suggestion: run random games when the screensaver is active (MAME/MESS)

[bubble_joe]

I suppose it would be possible to come back to the front-end periodically to launch the next random game using the -seconds_to_run parameter for MAME/MESS.
http://www.mameworld.info/easyemu/mameguide/options/26.html

Could this be achieved simply via a custom screensaver.nut?

[cools]

This generally doesn't work as well as you'd wish for. MAME load time, boot screens, differing sound volume, abrupt quits. Videos/snaps work well.

[raygun]

I suppose it would be possible to come back to the front-end periodically to launch the next random game using the -seconds_to_run parameter for MAME/MESS.
http://www.mameworld.info/easyemu/mameguide/options/26.html

Could this be achieved simply via a custom screensaver.nut?

Yes I believe it could.  The script would be able to get the game info it needs from the frontend and could run mame itself with its own parameters.

[bubble_joe]

What syntax should I use to launch an external program from a layout?

[raygun]

there is a "plugin_command" function you can use: https://github.com/mickelson/attract/blob/master/Layouts.md#plugin_command

or use squirrel's built-in "system" function: http://www.squirrel-lang.org/doc/sqstdlib3.html#d0e1931

[akafox]

Actually with a no nag patched version of mame the screens don't pop up or get in the way. I used to have a screen saver for windows that did just what you are asking. You could even put a "coin" in while in the screen saver and it would drop the screen saver and leave the game running. I was in Windows XP.  Here is the link.. http://tomspeirs.com/mamescreensaver/ The software is "outdated". And I think it needs an internet connection for missing files..like .NET framework or something...you have been warned. I'm not on windows so I can't test it.

[cools]

GAME boot screens, not MAME nag screens.

[akafox]

I misread that. Well actually there was a project going on about that. It is called "Mame Tweaks" It is old though and no longer worked on. It required a patch of mame. I think what it did was count the frames and then it started you on that frame. (i.e. lets say galaga boot screen runs from frame 0 to 256) Then mame started on that frame (256) not frame zero. You never saw the boot screen. (You know mame writes a nvram for sfiii ect so that you don't have to write it on every start. Can we do that for the DECO Cassette games too?    ) The "code is for mame version 0.94 I think? I'll look for it. The link was hard to find. So what I'm saying is: can any of you coders out there update it to a newer mame version? Here is some info that I could find. Note: The links to the file in these threads are DEAD! http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/15963-13-anyone-compiled-version-mametweaks and http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/15808-13-mame-source-code-tweak-utility-available  Also I think Budda Bing was involved. (that was some time ago) I *might* have a copy..I don't know. If you want, if i can find it, i'll post it if that's ok.