Emulator Netplay Boards - Emuconnect

[Rayek]

This is everyone's official invitation to the brand new forum I've created with the help of one of my fellow forumgoers at gp32x.com called Emuconnect. I've never encountered this idea before, and I'm very surprised to see that this board didn't exist somewhere else.

The idea of the place is to get emulator users together for the infamous and underused Netplay function of most emulators on the PC. Ever wanted to play Golden Axe, Gauntlet, or Gunstar Heroes with another person, but noone was around? This forum fixes that.

Many excellent emulators don't hardcode Kaillera into their emulators (like Kega Fusion). Emuconnect provides our users with the right info to start up a game on these emulators. And for those emulators that do use Kaillera, I hope to establish a firm, working network of Kaillera servers across the world to create good ping, and to draw people into the Netplay arena.

Other than that, the forum is set up to accomodate retro-gaming (Sega, Nintendo, SNK &c.), general emulation (Linux, handheld, console and more), and GP2X chatter, so there's something for everyone.

The forums are in a state of stasis, at the moment because we currently need some people around to chat it up. The board is running on a moth old now, and we need, more than anything, some dedicated members who like the ideas of emulation and Netplay.

For a list of games that have officially been played using the Emuconnect boards, visit this link: http://www.emuconnect.gpjunkies.com/viewtopic.php?t=84

Click the userbar below to visit the forum.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d153/Rayek4eq/Emuconnect/EmuconnectGeneral.gif (http://www.emuconnect.gpjunkies.com/)

And to the mods-
The reason that I feel so open about promoting the Emuconnect forum on other forums (which is generally a bad move... :o ) is that emulator users need to band together to form a greater community, if not just for Netplay, then for the greater good of the community itself. And since this idea hasn't been officially explored yet, I think we should embrace a new idea in the community. Because we all know that emulation = retrogaming, and retrogaming=sega gaming ;)

[Drixxel]

I like this idea. A lot. I'll join.

[Rayek]

Great! I've loved Sega-16 for a long time now, ever since I bought my first genesis. The features are excellent... I've always wanted to make a series, but didn't have enough material...

[Joe Redifer]

I will avoid since I hate emulation. To me emulators are only useful for screen grabs and quick testing of games (ie: try before you buy).

[Nazza]

I find some games are better to play emulated than on the console. I'll join.

[Rayek]

Thanks. Emulation is a touchy subject... I mean, I loved Sega so much, I had to buy all the consoles, because I wasn't really playing Sonic 3 and Knuckles until I was holding a Genesis pad, connected to a Genesis of some kind...

But emulation opens doors such as this one, that aren't really possible on these retro consoles. It also allows Genesis games to be played.. Oh, I don't know. On a GP2X? On the bus? Emulation is what keeps the retro gaming scene growing.

So it's kind of a polemic idea, but I think it has it's place.

Not to mention the ethics of emulation, but that's another story :S

[Joe Redifer]

Emulation is what keeps the retro gaming scene growing.
I have no idea what a GP2X even is. If I couldn't afford a car and had to take the bus everywhere, then yeah, I'd probably want ROMZ instead of the actual games.

[Vicman]

GP2X is a handheld gaming machine that allows open source programming, thus being friendly to emulation.

[Rayek]

It currently emulates, well, on my GP2X:

Neo Geo
Arcade machines (MAME)
Genesis/MD
Master System
Game Gear
Super Nintendo
NES
Gameboy (Color)

Plus has classic ports, etc. of older PC games.

Regardless, emulation has it's place, I.E. for people who aren't as 1337 as to own every console on the planet, or money to spend on nonexistant games like Panorama Cotton, or, for that matter, want to buy a console of three regions or mod theirs for every reigon under the sun just to play one game they like from Japan.

[Joe Redifer]

It's funny how emulation kiddies always view people who prefer the real thing as thinking of themselves as "1337" (and, on the flip side, how people who own the real think of people who emulate as "emulation kiddies"). Panorama Cotton exists. You can't spend money on a game that doesn't exist. I got my complete version for less than $60 from a US seller. Also I've never seen a Genesis emulator that emulates the games (especially the sound) 100% perfectly. And I have no desire to play those games on a handheld otherwise I would have a Nomad. Actually I did have a Nomad once as a cheap acquisition from a friend who was getting rid of a lot of stuff, but I sold it promptly. The ONLY handheld system that I can even tolerate in any form is the Nintendo DS, and I'd rather play original games on it rather than emulated ones.

As for buying multiple consoles for each region, screw that. I only have one of each console (I have a few spares for a couple consoles that I acquired cheap, though). Each of my consoles can play games from Japan. I don't care if they can play PAL games or not because I don't care about Europe, so no need to worry about that region as they are unimportant. That's why they get everything last.

[Rayek]

Oh, believe me, I prefer the real thing... That's why I bought a Master System, Genesis, SCD, 32X etc. You're right, it's just not the same game most of the time. I'm not disagreeing there.

But you're completely writing off emulation like there's no rhyme or reason for emulation to exist. There are plenty of reasons to emulate games. One is the service I'm providing through the boards. Classic gaming cannot be played online yet unless it's through emulation. That may not matter to you, but just thinking about something rediculous like Gauntlet 4 being played by 4 people of different timezones makes me giddy. Another thing is that certain games I simply can't afford. Due to the passage of time, or whatever, there are only 3 of these games in the world trading hands at one time, and they're trading for $100+ dollars. Sorry, I'm going to play Lunar 2 on Kega, and Snatcher on Kega. I don't think my economical situation can dictate wether or not I DESERVE to play certain games, like they're off-limits for that reason alone.

It's not a substitution, I agree there. But Emulation has it's place, it has a reason to exist.

And, obviously Sega puts more stock in Europe as we didn't get a Dreamcast version of Shenmue 2, while the UK did. It's the only way to play the game in English on a Dreamcast.

[Melf]

So long as there are no links to ROMs or ROM begging, this is cool. Emulation talk is allowed, and if it allows people to play 2-player Streets of Rage over the Internet, why not?

[Rayek]

That's pretty much my thought.

And it's not like because I emulate games I don't buy games... IF anything it's the reverse. If I play a game emulated, it just drives me to buy the thing if I can get my hands on it. I mean, I've written a guide on ebay we all might find interesting:
Buying Retro Games and Consoles on eBay (http://reviews.ebay.com/Buying-Retro-Games-and-Consoles-on-eBay_W0QQugidZ10000000000897062)

This, I hope shows you that not all emulation kiddies are pirates.

[Joe Redifer]

But you're completely writing off emulation like there's no rhyme or reason for emulation to exist.
No I'm not, I already wrote some uses that I have for emulation. As for online, that's all good if that floats your boat. I don't like playing games online. I went online once with the Xbox360 since it was free and as always the online experience was boring. I will let the free trial expire. Screw playing online. I prefer having real friends over in the same room. Much better.

[Genesis Knight]

I'll get owned, most likely, but it sounds good.

[Rayek]

No I'm not, I already wrote some uses that I have for emulation. As for online, that's all good if that floats your boat. I don't like playing games online. I went online once with the Xbox360 since it was free and as always the online experience was boring. I will let the free trial expire. Screw playing online. I prefer having real friends over in the same room. Much better.

I agree with you there ;) at least about having someone in the same room, but theres something about actually connecting to someone else for a game online... Someting is a bit different. It´s cool.

[Rayek]

I just wanted to say that I had the best online experience ever just.. two hours ago. The Hombrew Hunter and I just played an hour and a half of Gunstar Heroes, enough to beat the first four option screens, you know... But it was intense! Really intense. I suggest anyone who has a friend who likes games to get them to do this with you. It's insane.