RetroDECK 0.7.4b - Released!

If you don't know what RetroDECK is or want more information check out the wiki over at our Github:

RetroDECK Wiki Link

This update fixes some bugs that came with the 0.7.3b release.

Bugfixes & other changes:

• Fixed a bug where some of the roms folders were not correctly generated on a fresh install.
• Fixed a bug where the RetroDECK Configurator desktop file was sometimes not opening the Configurator from Desktop Mode.
• Fixed a bug where the built in theme was not showing correctly in certain situations.
• Added some new shell / bash commands that can be called from within the flatpak for both RetroDECK and the Configurator.

Known issues

• Check the known issues page over at the wiki: Known Issues Link

Also check out our community over at :

Discord Link

RetroDECK 0.7.3b - Released!

If you don't know what RetroDECK is or want more information check out the wiki over at our Github:

RetroDECK Wiki Link

For this release we want to give special thanks to the ES-DE team for the big 2.2 update and fixes in 2.2.1 patch and the constant communication back and forth on 2.2 development.

Updates:

The following features have been updated

• All standalone emulators
• EmulationStation Desktop Edition (ES-DE) to 2.2.1
• RetroArch and cores
• The included ES-DE themes

Bugfixes & other changes:

• ES-DE have made changes to their theme engine, so we recommend everyone to update any custom themes they have downloaded from the builtin theme downloader or the web.

Known issues

• Check the known issues page over at the wiki: Known Issues Link

Also check out our community over at :

Discord: https://discord.gg/Mv3GZnwrE8

If you don't know what RetroDECK is or want more information check out the wiki over at our Github:

https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/wiki

Hello community!

We in the team thought we could give you a quick status update on how development is going. GitHub link if you do not know what the project is: https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK

Status update 2023-10:

We hope that everyone is ready for a tiny spooky October status update.

We begin with thanking all kind emulator developers.

We had some issues with certain emulators caused by the recent QT6 migration and the addition of new emulators (more on that next month).

We tried to contact those developers to request for help or a hint about their project and thankfully they were very collaborative towards us, in some cases making some code changes to accustom some specific RetroDECK needing and thanking us for our work. It seems like that RetroDECK got a good reputation out there and we're really thankful for this, as one of our main efforts is trying to contribute more good will into the emulation community.

This is what makes the emulation community great when we all can work together. If you need something from us, feel free to ask. Thank you all!

What are you working on?

Adding individual ROMS to Steam and launch them with RetroDECK

More development has been going on into this and how it will work in its first iteration is that the games you flag as your favorites can be added to Steam with a tool in the Configurator.

External Controllers – Button Combo Hotkeys

We will ship various Steam Input templates that allows you to use the button bound hotkey combos to do various emulator functions like (Save State, Load State, Quit etc..) for a variety of controllers from 0.8b. All you will need to is plug in / connect your controller, go into Steam Controller setting and choose the RetroDECK template for your controller. This will also work for the RetroDECK Linux Desktop users as long as you have added RetroDECK to Steam and launch it from there.
It will be the same button combos as the Steam Deck with Select as the trigger but with no radial menu system.

We will have templates for all the following:

• PS3
• PS4
• PS5
• Xbox 360
• Xbox One / S / X
• Switch Pro
• Steam Controller
• Generic (Stadia, 8bit, Xiaomi, USB-Clones, others etc..)

Special notes on Generic:

To access all the hotkeys, you must have a controller that has all the normal inputs (two joysticks with clickable L3 and R3, four button dpad, four face buttons, four shoulder buttons, start, and select). But if you have start and select you can always quit the game (even with a tiny NES USB clone controller).

Special notes on PS4, PS5:

The full touchpad acts as a mouse for Wii input / computer systems. Left touchpad click = left click Right touchpad click = right click

Special notes on the Steam Controller:

The right touchpad acts as a mouse for Wii input / computer systems. Right touchpad click = left click

Turning the Configurator into a Godot application

We are working on turning the configurator into a Godot application. This will allow you to use all the functions with a controller in a Retro Inspired interface that is already working. The interface should be scalable for both TV’s, Monitors and Steam Deck Screen. We are also looking into changing toggle the font to OpenDyslexic so it can be easier to read for those who need it. This might not be done for 0.8b as it’s quite a big project (it will ready when it’s ready). If you are working with UI/UX design and/or have experience with Godot and want to help on this, please contact us on discord.

Rekku, the RetroDECK mascot.

Some parts of the team also really wanted a mascot so that will also be a part of the new Configurator. It’s a animated cyborg-cat-like-humanoid that guides you to the various functions in the Configurator. Right now, we only have AI generated concepts of the mascot for reference but if you are an artist and want to help us design the mascot, please contact us on discord.

Mascot Q/A:

Q: I get the Godot Configurator, but why a mascot?!

A: Why not?!

Q: Will we see Rekku in other things except the Configurator?

A: Maybe!

Q: I hate mascots with a burning passion, can I turn it off in the configurator?

A: You’re a meanie, but yes!

Concepts of the Configurator with Rekku:

Everything here is just concepts and might not reflect the final design.

That is all for this month!

A minor patch 0.7.3b will be out later with Emulator updates. But the main feature will be ES-DE 2.2, so we will release it when the ES-DE team are ready, and we can implement it asap.

Check out our:

Discord

Github

Wiki

Donations

RetroDECK 0.7.2b - Released!

The update will be available in a couple of hours

Updates:

The following features have been updated

• All standalone emulators
• EmulationStation Desktop Edition (ES-DE)
• RetroArch and cores
• The included ES-DE themes

Bugfixes & other changes:

• Added helper .txt files to the mod & texture pack folders.
• The builtin changelog is now scrollable.
• The loading bar color is after much debate once again red.
• Gameboy Advanced & Game Gear integer scaling changes based on feedback.
• Optimized and retooled the patching process for ES-DE.
• Various fixes and optimizations to the RetroDECK build process.

Known issues

• PPSSPP: Retroachievements is in the latest version, you can login / logout / enable hardcore mode normally from the emulators interface. It is right now not configurable in the Configurator (as it works a bit different the other emulators), we hope to have a solution for it at a later date.
• RetroArch: Quitting the Gambatte core with the Quit radial function makes the core swap the palette while playing GB.
• RetroArch: Borders are in some cases disappearing in the latest RetroArch version. A possible workaround is to reset RetroArch from the Configurator.

Also check out our community over at :

Discord: https://discord.gg/Mv3GZnwrE8

If you don't know what RetroDECK is or want more information check out the wiki over at our Github:

https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/wiki

Hello community!

We in the team thought we could give you a quick status update on how development is going.

GitHub link if you do not know what the project is: https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK

Status update 2023-09:

We hope that everyone had a good summer and that you are ready for a tiny status update with a plethora of mixed topics.
But before we get into what we are working on we want to make a short statement.

Our commitment to Open-Source

As the RetroDECK team, we are deeply concerned by the rumors about how others have handled their dependencies and their relationship with those developers.

We would like to say this:

Emulation is a multigenerational effort of development that has lasted for decades, motivated by the pure love for video game preservation for current and future generations. RetroDECK depends on the constant development of all our dependencies (the emulators, front-end, various assets, etc...). It would be unfair to both the hard work that has been done in those projects and to the entire open-source community if we said otherwise or tried to take credit, conceal, or obscure it for our own gain.

We always strive to have the best possible relationship with the teams that generously provide and develop the third-party software we are depending on now and in the future. Everyone that works on RetroDECK is immensely grateful for the global collective effort and work that has been done. Without these projects and those passionate people RetroDECK would not be possible.

We also want to add a word for the developers of the third-party projects:
Please feel free to reach out to us, talk to us for any reason and share your ideas. We value your feedback and suggestions, and our door is always open for collaboration and improvements. You are the backbone of our project, and we appreciate your contributions.

You can find more about our dependencies on the wiki and how to donate to them or us:

https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/wiki/Donations-%26-Licenses

//The RetroDECK Team

Now on to the new stuff:

Two new developers and one tester have joined the team

We are incredibly happy that three new members have decided to join us. All of them have been active in their contributions and helping the community. They bring exciting innovative ideas and skillsets to the project.

Adding individual ROMS to Steam and launch them with RetroDECK

One of our new developers is looking into adding individual ROMS to Steam and hopes to have this done for the next big major release 0.8b - Bonsai Banana. This will allow you to list the ROMS you want as a separate game in the Steam interface and thus have different power profiles for each game.

It is something many of you have requested and given feedback about.

Dynamic viewports / scaling system

Another new developer is looking into making a dynamic scaling / viewport system for the various emulators and cores to match the borders and resolutions to the most common screen types.
This would allow better desktop screen support and better handling on undocked / docked Steam Deck resolutions.

The goal is simple but complex:

The borders and scale of the games should look nice and proper on your external screen when you plug in your movable device.

Better external controller hotkey support

As part of the Controller Unification Project and with the addition of the SELECT button as a hotkey trigger in 0.7.1b. We now have a better understanding of Steam Input’s controller template system and should be able to make a template for common external controllers with the button bound hotkeys combos that use SELECT as the trigger.

However, the entire radial menu system is a bit harder as many controllers do not have touch input or a logical and comfortable way to navigate it. We will investigate if it is feasible to port the radial system to controllers with touch and those without.

Status on the Multi-user system

We are still working hard on the Multi-user system, but it might not be ready for 0.8b as we had hoped. There are tons of complexity, and we want to make it right. Some parts of the development team have other IRL priorities that take preset over RetroDECK development (new baby incoming and fatherly duties).

That is all for this month

A minor patch 0.7.2b will be out soon with a emulator update refresh and some bug fixes.

See you next month.

Check out our:

Discord

Github

Wiki

Donations

RetroDECK - 0.7.1b - Released!

Information:

• Steam Deck users update RetroDECK from Discover in Desktop Mode.
• Don't forget to reapply the latest controller layout: Go into the Templates tab and reapply the new profile ending with 0.7.1b (there is no need to reinstall the entire layout from the Configurator).

Bugfixes & other changes:

• Fixed an issue to make sure the RD controller layout file at update with each RD update.
• Fixed an issue with PPSSPP that made L and R incorrectly bound.
• Fixed an issue in the Configurator that prevented the Yuzu preset for swapping A/B X/Y from working.
• Fixed an notification issues on the latest SteamOS Beta releases.
• Fixed an rsync permissions issue in the RetroDECK Framework.
• Updated Yuzu presets to handle new config syntax in the RetroDECK Framework.
• Changed auto-update to notification only, until permissions error can be worked out.
• Added some new pixelart icons by ItzSelenux (pixelitos-icon-theme)

Updates

• All Emulators and ES-DE have been updated

Steam Deck - Global Controller Layout:

We have done some changes based on community feedback

Layout Changes:

• Select is now a hotkey trigger while pressing it down, L4 and R4 are still triggers as well.
• The RetroArch combo of Select + Start = Quit now works on many SA-Emulators.
• Open Menu is removed from Select.
• R5 = A button (this allows for great Wii controls on the right touchpad and pressing down the R5 for A).
• L5 = B button.

Global hotkey changes:

• Open Menu is on Y.
• Increase Emulation Speed is on Dpad-UP.
• Decrease Emulation Speed is on Dpad-Down.
• Fullscreen OFF command is removed (as emulators have migrated to toggle).

Known issues

• The built in auto-updater is not working (we are working on it).
• Some emulators don't have hotkey support or have bugs affecting their hotkeys.

Also check out our community over at :

Discord: https://discord.gg/Mv3GZnwrE8

If you don't know what RetroDECK is or want more information check out the wiki over at our Github:

https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/wiki