The new MAME title videos are complete. They are located on the FTP here: /-GameEx-/- Emulator Artwork & Videos -/MAME/video_title

95% of them are a decent attract mode capture.

The upscaled videos on the FTP are however the best quality. In the next release of GameEx there will be an option to chose between the three types to automatically download.

Audio can be a slight issue on the title videos because they are all fixed to 60hz.

The title videos are up to date as of MAME 0.287 and include all working or imperfect non clones unless the name of the clone game is different.

10 years ago I created a 60 fps MAME attract mode title video set.

I decided to revisit this project last week with the latest MAME sets, MAME version and ffmpeg.

I also fixed up and updated the code to run at 64 bit and .net framework 4.8 (it was on 2).

When I initially did this 10 years ago, I used a custom build of MAME with code changes to run at 60 hz. Now with the latest MAME no code changes other than nag removal but using syncrefresh.

I also improved the encoding and the files are now smaller.

The videos are now processing on a couple of machines and should be complete in two-three weeks. There are over a 1400 complete already.They are located here on the public free FTP server:

-GameEx-/- Emulator Artwork & Videos -/MAME/video_titles_60fps_2026

There are samples on my YouTube Channel.here.

Enjoy.

Some nice progress with GameEx cross platform.

Mame launching and list updates are working on both Linux and Mac, supporting both system wide and local MAME folder installs.

Setup and configuration is now working.

Finally, performance on Android has been greatly improved. It renders at a lower resolution and then upscales.

I was using some software by Preemptive solutions on a scheme for small software houses as part of the build process for GameEx and PinballX.

They have been significantly raising the price every year and this year they raised it by another $1000.

So I spent the last 24 hours migrating over to another solution which fortunately is now as good or better at an 8th of the price. This release uses the new build tools and I say adios to Preemptive. Thanks for wearing a condom.

The new product does some nice optimisations to the code. I notice performance improvements.

MAME 3D cabinet models can be downloaded and automatically setup by the iinstaller.

Removed some Microsoft dependancies.

New GPU accelarated video renderer.

Nvidia removed VMR 9 support and this release adds a new video renderer fallback using media Foundation and shared textures with DirectX 11 which is GPU accelerated.

Upgraded to .net 10 runtime and the .net desktop runtime version 10 is included iin the installer rather than 8. it is still compiled as version 6 but set to run under 10. Compatibility with older operating systems back to XP remains intact.

Fixed up Karaoke support and .cdg and .kar files are supported again, although take a while to load.

If you experience any new issues with video playback or old basic GPU's please report on the forums. The new renderer required significant changes including moving to DirectX 9ex from plain 9. Thankis Nvidia!

if anyone is interested, I did pursue with coding with help from AI. It does allow you to find out and do absolutely anything with code.

What I found is when it is wrong and it often is you just have to tell it is wrong, then it agrees and produces the correct code. This often needs several attempts and does require you to see and try for yourself. On the plus side I can get an answer and code for practically anything for free and dont need someone to help me. When it is challenged it will provide valid results. On the negative, it is often wrong and overconfident. This is what takes up unnecessary time at this point

I compare it to an incredibly talented employee but a very lazy one who needs a constant kick.

I can understand how it has put junior developers out of work but it is going to be a while before it replaces all developers and consultants because you need to know when it is wrong and it often is, at least for now

I spent about 20 hours trying to implement another video playback solution without lots of work because NVidia recently broke VMR 9 support. I thought I found another solution via ChatGPT which was the first time I tried it. It looked amazing but it gave me absolute horseshit over and over. How AI is replacing coders seems hard to believe. It seemed hopeless when experienced people need help. I tried Direct9Ex with DXVA2 and media foundation which it completely lied about. I also tried the same but not hardware accelerated which was valid but It did not work because the current Microsoft codecs dont support RGB output.

Although also legacy DirectX9Ex with FlipEx seemed like a good move on its own and I have it working well, then had problems recreating the device which is a big issue for a front end. I have this code done if I find a solution. Maybe waiting for DWM to be ready or somehow resetting it could be a solution.

FFMpeg may be a way to go for video playback and should perform accept it did involve a memory copy well, and I may try that but probably no better than what I have

Of note both AMD and Intel previously removed or broke VMR 9 support but then put it back. Which is why there was already a fallback in place

PinballX and GameEx do have the option to switch to a more legacy video solution and normally this is automatically detected. However, Nvidia neglected to tell the operating system they removed VMR 9 support so the automatic fallback was not working. Maybe they are using AI coding too!

Also of note when questioning the Brave search AI if there were issues with the solutions ChatGPT it gave the correct response.

I can recommend the Brave AI.

With these two new versions of GameEx and PinballX I check for Nvidia driver versions, so it is now again automatic as it was with intel and AMD.

I wrote this on Facebooks tonight and their AI removed it citing cyber security concerns. I thought it seemed good so wanted to share.

More an example of how clever AI is getting. May seem funny now, but trust me, from an expert, it is no joke. 2026 (maybe 2027) will be a significant year in human history. However, it is mostly smoke and mirrors right now. It is just computer programming and software, but they call it AI. There is nothing intelligent or artificial about it. Dismissing bad actors for now it is the lack of people in power's intelligence and their apathy (and laziness and to save money) as the biggest issue we face. It is how some will trust it without question and blame it for their actions. That has happened already. Unlike technology of the past one of the primary goals is for it to seem as real as possible. It lies to you rather than say it does not know. They call it AI delusions but it is an intentional part of the programming.

VPN and ad/tracker blocker is now a necessity not a nice to have and that will be good for only so long. Buy it now before you are asked for your papers to do so and don't complain about it as they put it under the umbrella of protecting children who by the way will be tracked and monitored for the rest of their lives (we will welcome it into our homes).

You would think it's science fiction and paranoia but it is very real unfortunately. Take solace that it is already too late and not much anyone can do. Our generation will also be dead before too long and immigrants are the least of your problems!

If anyone cares or even understands, Muhlvad or Proton for VPN. (Nord and a few others are the McDonalds of VPN's and free one's are 'dangerous'.)

The AI and privacy concerns are separate issues and also spilt between commercial and political interests, but they are intertwined and linked to advancements in technology and that will become more apparent soon.

If there is a conspiracy theory or valid reason behind what governments and tycoons around the world are doing, who knows, these are just the facts and these people do not value freedom.

"You may feel free in the future but it is an illusion and they may not want you to feel free."

Proudly not written by AI.
Tom Speirs. 2025

Ps: Shortly after writing this, facebook removed it and restricted my account. AI at work for you but pretty ironic.