813 replies to this topic

[blindpeser]

Man, this is getting better and better! You have a guess when VPE could be ready to conquer the world?

[strikekat]

@strikekat Oh, nice to hear! Which user group? We don't have any developer using Linux, but we build for it in our CI. If you want, give it a try! AFAIK the Unity editor for Linux is still labeled "experimental", you might encounter a few bumps on the road..

South Sound User Group here in WA state. People thought it was really cool, although I think it probably went over most people's heads (Nothing on them of course, majority of the group are line-of-business .net/web developers, and I always present on the most random things)
Anyways good to hear, I'll definitely give it a shot.. Thanks!

[fripounet]

super çà marche maintenant depuis la màj vpe . (passage version 2020.3)

 

[Gravy]

Can't remember if I have asked this before (I have the feeling I have but cant find it), but given that Unity allows for compiling for various platforms including Xbox One, is there a chance we may see a version of VPE released on that console at some stage (and Android/iOS)? Not sure if this would need a developer mode Xbox and running as a UWP app for Xbox? That would likely cripple GPU support though as I understand it so ideally getting it to run on retail Xbox would be better.

Im guessing that many planets would need to align such as pinmame supprt and ability to import tables and roms as well, and dual monitor support might not be possible... but it may make for a very cheap option for single screen VP gaming.

[wiesshund]

Can't remember if I have asked this before (I have the feeling I have but cant find it), but given that Unity allows for compiling for various platforms including Xbox One, is there a chance we may see a version of VPE released on that console at some stage (and Android/iOS)? Not sure if this would need a developer mode Xbox and running as a UWP app for Xbox? That would likely cripple GPU support though as I understand it so ideally getting it to run on retail Xbox would be better.

Im guessing that many planets would need to align such as pinmame supprt and ability to import tables and roms as well, and dual monitor support might not be possible... but it may make for a very cheap option for single screen VP gaming.

I dont think the Xbox itself supports dual monitors?

 

Pinmame would likely be a bit hard, but non ROM tables would be ok i imagine

 

Probabaly just modify aprons to provide a score display for rotate tables?

 

I guess it is possible, as a player anyways

[freezy]

@blindpeser: In April!

 

@Gravy: I think it's not so much the technical side than the legal side. Typically for console platforms you need to sign a contract with the manufacturer, which isn't cheap and you have to be a legal entity, plus many of the app stores are hostile against open source projects. We've had it compiled and running on Android and iOS though, so that might be an option, although we need to figure out how to deal with the low-end devices and if there's a way to automatically convert tables to URP.

[strikekat]

Can't remember if I have asked this before (I have the feeling I have but cant find it), but given that Unity allows for compiling for various platforms including Xbox One, is there a chance we may see a version of VPE released on that console at some stage (and Android/iOS)? Not sure if this would need a developer mode Xbox and running as a UWP app for Xbox? That would likely cripple GPU support though as I understand it so ideally getting it to run on retail Xbox would be better.

Im guessing that many planets would need to align such as pinmame supprt and ability to import tables and roms as well, and dual monitor support might not be possible... but it may make for a very cheap option for single screen VP gaming.

 

This would absolutely need the user to have a console with developer mode enabled, which you will need to reboot to toggle back and forth from retail mode (to play your normal games again). Unfortunately AFAIK, the homebrew scene on Xbone is nearly non-existant in comparison to jailbroken systems like the Switch + PS4. Mainly Retroarch and some other emulators have been ported.

Assuming it can be exported to a UWP solution w/ required dependencies (I have no clue with my level of familiarity), we may be able to get some sideload-able package to be installed, but I think the hurdles + paid dev account will probably be an obstacle for most people (You never know though!)

[wiesshund]

@blindpeser: In April!

 

@Gravy: I think it's not so much the technical side than the legal side. Typically for console platforms you need to sign a contract with the manufacturer, which isn't cheap and you have to be a legal entity, plus many of the app stores are hostile against open source projects. We've had it compiled and running on Android and iOS though, so that might be an option, although we need to figure out how to deal with the low-end devices and if there's a way to automatically convert tables to URP.

 

Wow

 

So one can not exactly make a free xbox app and just put it out there huh?

well now, that sucks

[freezy]

TBH the problem with consoles is not even technical or legal, it's just that we're a DYI community here, and console players tend to prefer sticking the cartridge into their toy, press a button, and play. That's pretty much the opposite of what we're doing here, so I doubt there will be any kind of incentive to port VPE to a console.

[wiesshund]

TBH the problem with consoles is not even technical or legal, it's just that we're a DYI community here, and console players tend to prefer sticking the cartridge into their toy, press a button, and play. That's pretty much the opposite of what we're doing here, so I doubt there will be any kind of incentive to port VPE to a console.

Well....

 

I could fit one of JP's table on a cartridge LOL

[blindpeser]

@blindpeser: In April!
 

2022 or 2023

You know what I am talking about...

[freezy]

2022 or 2023

You know what I am talking about...

 

That's a good question! I'll let you know when I know.

[hitman2304]

What will be Your next focus after working with display/dmd?

[freezy]

Get table building in the editor more stable probably.

[Gravy]

 

@blindpeser: In April!

 

@Gravy: I think it's not so much the technical side than the legal side. Typically for console platforms you need to sign a contract with the manufacturer, which isn't cheap and you have to be a legal entity, plus many of the app stores are hostile against open source projects. We've had it compiled and running on Android and iOS though, so that might be an option, although we need to figure out how to deal with the low-end devices and if there's a way to automatically convert tables to URP.

 

Wow

 

So one can not exactly make a free xbox app and just put it out there huh?

well now, that sucks

 

I think you can but the enduser needs to have put their Xbox into developer mode, last time I checked it's a one time cost of about $20 to enable this facility on Xbox One, the bummer though is that there are some restrictions as far as I am aware. You can read more at https://www.howtogee...developer-mode/

I was thinking that developer mode games were restricted in their use of the Xbox GPU but it seems this may not be the case now. There are some memory limitations, 5GB for game, 1GB for apps, and 64 bit only.

Given that you can pick up a 4K capable Xbox one X for around the US$200 mark (I got one secondhand in Australia for AU$225 recently) it could be a very cheap way to build a single screen virtual pinball, and just dedicate the console directly for the pinball purpose.

This idea is not so much to give console owners a way to play pinball, but more a way to build a cheap dedicated virtual pin.

Edited by Gravy, 02 May 2021 - 12:32 AM.

[TerryRed]

Consoles have always required you to pay fees / license etc to be able to release games on them. This is how MS / Sony / Nintendo / Sega made money.

 

If people released free games, then that's no money for them. It's not like Windows where you have to purchase an OS to be able to play free games / apps on it.

 

Nintendo is probably the only company that makes any money from the hardware sales of a console.

[wiesshund]

 

 

If people released free games, then that's no money for them. It's not like Windows where you have to purchase an OS CONSOLE to be able to play free games / apps on it.

 

 

 

You have to buy the Xbox?

 

Or are you meaning they are selling them at a loss?

[TerryRed]

Yes, MS and Sony have always sold the hardware at a loss for the first few years.

[wiesshund]

Yes, MS and Sony have always sold the hardware at a loss for the first few years.

i thought you bought it at a loss lol

[toxie]

If at all, i'd like to see the Switch over the XBox, especially the potential new/upcoming Switch..   (sorry for the derail)