When I get saturated doing AW2Naomi I like to change topic so I can come back to the current problem with a different perspective. In that time I've been working on the design of a ST-V multigame cartridge that reads games from SD Card and transfers them to cartridge own RAM and then will run like a normal ST-V cartridge.
The idea is to make it independent, so no change is needed in the BIOS. It will run transparently and will support most (if not all) games like Soukyugurentai, Golden Axe, Radiant Silvergun,etc. I still haven't decided it it will just run a fixed file name on bootup or it will have some buttons on the cartridge (LEFT, RIGHT, ENTER) so you can sort of navigate on the files of the SD Card. In the second case I should accomodate a small display listing the current filename.
I've been runing some numbers and in order to make sense at least 50 units should be made. Selling price would be around $200. This is a complete new PCB, not a conversion of ST-V cartridges.
I'm just checking what is the interest of the people on this. If I go ahead, I'll make a list of people interested and I expect them to get one :)))
Please avoid comments like I don't think it's a good idea, or I don't think people will buy it. Only comment if you'd be interested on getting one and what is your point of view about how it should look like.
Looking forward to your comments.
This got my vote ever since you suggested this as one of the future projects, so you might just as well sign me up for one today. I have to say, this, plus the CPS-III workarounds and Atomiswave conversions ... that's some amazing work. You deserve a medal, or, at the very least, my eternal gratitude.
ReplyDeleteDzieki. Wlasciwie tak sie dzieje kiedy Hiszpan sie przeprowadza do Polski, musi mieć jakies hobby, no nie? Szczególnie, gdy nie ma otwartych tarasów w zimie :)
DeleteI'm really interested in this as well. My personal thought would be either a boot up menu to select games or if you need buttons a wire harness attachment on it. That way one can run the buttons to the front of the cab. The american stv cabinet comes to mind. The board is in the back on the access door. Kinda a pain to get to. It also doesn't have a conventional coin door with mechs that you would put some extra buttons behind. With a plug for buttons one could put them under the control panel or cut some extra holes in it(or under it).
ReplyDeleteDepending on how hard it would be to setup and whatnot it would be really badass if it could be setup like the neo geo with a game select button. The STV was designed to have a multi board system in mind(the bios reflects this as it has the option in it) although I've never seen one. I've read many times people have claimed they did make some and they are very rare but couldn't even find a picture.
Count me, i want one !
ReplyDeleteI think a 8 switch bank can be used to change the game before you start up the board.
[]'Mack
I will take one! Had a dream about this technology and you made it come true...
ReplyDeleteI would buy this, but I would go for one game per SD card. I want the ST-V to behave exactly as a cart. Same procedure as the CF system on the NAOMI. Menus just complicate the design. Keep it lean.
ReplyDeleteTrue, keep it lean.
ReplyDeleteBTW, two things:
1. Does your thingy bypass the need for a multi-region BIOS?
2. When will you do the same for MVS?
Is that a yes?
DeleteIt is a yes, but don't count it as I already said yes elsewhere. ;-)
DeleteAnd, as for my questions:
1. I guess your thingy won't bypass the need for multi-region BIOS (since you're only doing a cartdrige)
2. I still hope you'll do the same for MVS.
Count me in
ReplyDeleteI'd like one!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant idea! I'm in.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the rough timeline? (Not trying to be pushy, just trying to plan finances).
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ReplyDeleteMe interesa ;D Supongo que se podría hacer un sistema para tener todos los juegos en la SD e irlos seleccionando. Por lo que he leido, sería una especie de flashcart (juegos en SD, que pasan al cartucho y de ahí a la placa) Al ser, prácticamente el mismo sistema que la Saturn, imagino que ¿se podrían convertir de alguna manera y usarlos en la placa?
ReplyDeleteI am very interested ..I' d like one !
ReplyDeleteI'll try to keep it as simple as possible, so proably will be one game per SD.
ReplyDeleteTimeline?
Timing would be like this:
I try to finish design before Christmas. Then I will start making 2-3 prototypes. When they work and there is no timing issues, correct reading, etc. I'll get an specialist to validate it (I suck at voltages :)) I'll send one to Mitsurugi-w and another to Brandon (Summit Arcade) for testing. I'll then record a video showing that this is real and it works.
Then I'll start collecting money and if we are 50+, then send the PCBs to be printed and assembled. When PCBs arrive, final individual check and shipping! I'd say around March-April I'll be ready to send them.
I'll create a specific site for this.
Certainly be interested,
ReplyDeletevery interested!!
ReplyDeleteI'm in like flynn, mate.
ReplyDeleteI'd totally buy one.
ReplyDeleteOne crazy thought - what about making a special hacked bios to handle loading the games from SD Card to Cartridge? I have seen the multi-region ST-V bios (the software hack, not the eprom switch), so I know its at least possible to modify it. Probably a TON of work, but that would be optimal.
Maybe you can solve this with a bank of dip switches? Dips 1-8 select if it loads 1.zip, 2.zip, 3.zip etc.from the root of the SD card.
Great idea, can't wait to see it all come together!
I'm totally up for this!
ReplyDeleteI would most definitely purchase one.
ReplyDeleteI will absolutely buy one of these from you as this is the exact thing I am looking for my ST-V cab.
ReplyDeleteI'm late to the party, but I'd def be interested!
ReplyDeleteAny update?
ReplyDeleteRight now there's a small delay until I find a suitable printing service for the CDs. Companies who offer printing on media are pretty stubborn when you ask for low production numbers...
ReplyDeleteSorry to keep you waiting. As soon as I arranged the printing and the CDs are shipped to darksoft I'm sure you will all enjoy what you will receive.
Definitely interested in one, count me in.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely buy one for $200.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely be in on this.
ReplyDeleteMe, me, me. I want one!
ReplyDeleteReally late to the party but I want one.
ReplyDeleteWrite one email to mitsurugi_w *at* hotmail dot com
ReplyDeleteAm I too late? Really need one!
ReplyDeleteSend an email to darkdawgarcade att gmail _dott_com
ReplyDelete