Simulated netboard - future of linked play in Supermodel?

[gm_matthew]

I've created a new CSimNetBoard class which can now run both Daytona 2 and Le Mans 24 in linked mode. Also, I've made it so that Daytona 2 now supports more than two machines; I've tested six linked machines and they work, though my PC wasn't powerful enough to run them all at full speed (I have a Ryzen 5 1600). Le Mans 24 might work with more than two, but I'm not sure just yet.

I've uploaded a new build here. Also I've attached the new SimNetBoard.cpp file if anyone wants to take a look at it.

My next step will probably be to add more games; I'll probably start with Scud Race as hopefully it will be somewhat similar to Daytona 2.

[Jiterdomer]

Keep up the good work! Maybe someday will use SoftEther to implement Online Play for Daytona 2 and Scud Race like what they did to Maximum Tune 5 on Teknoparrot.

[gm_matthew]

Keep up the good work! Maybe someday will use SoftEther to implement Online Play for Daytona 2 and Scud Race like what they did to Maximum Tune 5 on Teknoparrot.

One of the difficulties of implementing online play would be that Model 3 games use a ring topology, which really doesn't work so well with online games as the latency can become very high, especially with more players. Modern arcade games like Maximum Tune 5 most likely use a star or mesh topology, both of which are used by online games.

I've theorized about the possibility of implementing a star or mesh topology within the SimNetBoard class, since from the game's perspective the netboards essentially act like a pool of shared memory with each machine writing to its own segment and reading from the other machines' segments. Maybe one day I might actually try to implement such a thing.

[Boomslangnz]

I've created a new CSimNetBoard class which can now run both Daytona 2 and Le Mans 24 in linked mode. Also, I've made it so that Daytona 2 now supports more than two machines; I've tested six linked machines and they work, though my PC wasn't powerful enough to run them all at full speed (I have a Ryzen 5 1600). Le Mans 24 might work with more than two, but I'm not sure just yet.

I've uploaded a new build here. Also I've attached the new SimNetBoard.cpp file if anyone wants to take a look at it.

My next step will probably be to add more games; I'll probably start with Scud Race as hopefully it will be somewhat similar to Daytona 2.

Doin god's work son. Well done

Ive been waiting for this day for along damn time!

[MrThunderwing]

Great work again Matt! I've had a little experiment and been able to do a 3 way and 4 way link-up. I started getting some slow down on the 4 Player link-up, but the audio never got stuttery like it did in the old -no-threads builds for me, so that's cool.

The issue with the emulator that's in focus being the only one that picks up inputs commands, that I mentioned a page or so back, is still present though. Is that something you can do something about? As I mentioned, the old network builds were able to pick up inputs from multiple sources, regardless of which emulator screen was in focus. (until lockdown eases It's not like I'm actually going to be able to get some real life multiplayer on the go, but it'd be nice to know it's up and running for when I can).

[gm_matthew]

Great work again Matt! I've had a little experiment and been able to do a 3 way and 4 way link-up. I started getting some slow down on the 4 Player link-up, but the audio never got stuttery like it did in the old -no-threads builds for me, so that's cool.

The issue with the emulator that's in focus being the only one that picks up inputs commands, that I mentioned a page or so back, is still present though. Is that something you can do something about? As I mentioned, the old network builds were able to pick up inputs from multiple sources, regardless of which emulator screen was in focus. (until lockdown eases It's not like I'm actually going to be able to get some real life multiplayer on the go, but it'd be nice to know it's up and running for when I can).

Nice to hear 3-way and 4-way link-ups are working well for you! As to the issue of only the emulator in focus picking up inputs, I'm not exactly sure as to the cause of that since I haven't changed anything regarding inputs; perhaps it's just the way Visual Studio is building the executables. I'll take a look at it and see if I can figure it out.

[ArcadeHero911]

Absolutely fantastic work!!! Thank you so much for this, and for the fantastic efforts of the community to get us here!!! Can't wait till Scud Race

[MrThunderwing]

I wonder if maybe Spindizzi can offer any suggestions, as the guy who worked so hard on the original link-up versions?

[Ian]

Nice to hear 3-way and 4-way link-ups are working well for you! As to the issue of only the emulator in focus picking up inputs, I'm not exactly sure as to the cause of that since I haven't changed anything regarding inputs; perhaps it's just the way Visual Studio is building the executables. I'll take a look at it and see if I can figure it out.

Key presses normally are only sent to the active or top window in windows. Otherwise pressing buttons would make all the background apps go crazy. Other than hooking the keyboard input (which you can do in the win32 api) this is basically by design. But I am sure most people if they are playing network will be running on separate pcs.

[filter]

a pool of shared memory with each machine writing to its own segment and reading from the other machines' segments

good idea, nice work!

JOIN SUPERMODEL DISCORD!!
https://discord.gg/dFAStb7P