Why is Supermodel latest version 0.2a?

[oldschoolplaya]

Been out of the emulator scene for many years. Looks like supermodel has been stagnant and whats new last updated in 2013. Latest version is 0.2a.

But reading through this forum, theres talk of svn 779 with active development.. WTF? What is this and why isn’t it listed on the download page? What is the real latest version??

[Ian]

The webpage just hasn't been updated. But the latest version is svn version 781

[oldschoolplaya]

So where can I view all the changes since 0.2a?

[Ian]

https://sourceforge.net/p/model3emu/code/781/log/?path=

[oldschoolplaya]

Instead of the commit history, I was looking more for a high level readme for release version, like what MAME does. I dont really want to weed through 7 years of obtuse commit comments.

Im just wondering how many other casual supermodel players also havent realized there is active new builds? Or new users grabbing an ancient 0.2a version off the homepage downloads? And what commit is 0.2a so I can see what changed? So many questions.. sorry. Maybe its time to update the homepage, Im guessing not too many people will painfully create an account and discover this.

[MrThunderwing]

Instead of the commit history, I was looking more for a high level readme for release version, like what MAME does. I dont really want to weed through 7 years of obtuse commit comments.

There isn't one unfortunately. Unless the front page gets updated, and I believe this hasn't happened as Bart's a busy guy with real life stuff going one, you'll need to look into it further yourself. As I'm a nice guy I'll list some of the changes since v0.2a I can think of off the top of my head here, plus, where applicable, the command line code to use them:

Optional Widescreen mode (-wide-screen)
New sound balancing option (-balance=add figure from 0-100 here depending on how you want it to sound) with the option of flipping the stereo (-flip-stereo)
All games with previously non-working controls now fixed
Complete re-write of 3D engine fixing broken graphics in stuff like Sega Rally 2,Le Mans 24 and ECA, I thiiink this also gave a bit of a performance boost to people running supermodel with older CPUs. Also, all the textures now showing up properly on AI cars in both Daytona USA 2 games.
Prototype games now working like Sega Rally 2 DX and a method for adding force feedback into Le Mans 24
XML support added
Prototype network link play option added. Doesn't yet run full speed though.
Custom MP3 feature added

That's all I can think of off the top of my head, there's probably lots more...

[Jiterdomer]

Actually, the Custom MP4 feature is gone ever since the official Updated DSB that fixes Sega Rally 2 and other sound problems in the game, but Shekel haven't respond to the reimplmentation of this feature in that update. And also, my Discord link on the front page.

[sonic32]

Bart had to put in a lot of effort and a piece of heart and work to create
this page, really beautiful and so detailed everything described, tutorials etc ..
Bart must be a great pedant and the site looks really clear and nice.
Bart will change it over time but if he really wants to write all the changes, it will take a long time and it does not matter ..

Maybe all you have to do is add the official Downloads page:

0.2a official assembly
0.3a to build and update this..

[Calavera]

Im just wondering how many other casual supermodel players also havent realized there is active new builds? Or new users grabbing an ancient 0.2a version off the homepage downloads?

That was me for many years. I can't remember how long ago I first came here but I of course downloaded the 0.2a version and found it didn't run very well. I would check back here every so often and see if it had been updated. I'd like to know how many years I did this. I assumed the emulator was dead since it was still at 0.2a after so many years. Then in August 2017 I checked it and for some reason decided to go to the forums. I think I went there just to see if anybody still posted on a forum for a dead emulator. That is when I found it had been regularly updated for years! I downloaded it and pretty much every game I wanted to play worked perfectly. It was amazing! I remember trying Emergency Call Ambulance on 0.2a and it ran at like 10fps and the graphics were untextured and all messed up. Then I find the latest release and not only does it run perfectly but it does so in 1080p and widescreen! I would say I'm not the only one this has happened to, and it is possible others never found out about the new releases. If the owner doesn't want to update the website everytime a new SVN comes out I would recommend putting whatever the latest version is now on the main page. It runs most of the games people would want to play pretty much perfectly. It would be much better than having the ancient 0.2a version. What year is 0.2a from?

[Jiterdomer]

0.2a has been around 2011, in order to publicly download the latest SVN, I created my own forum post so that people will not keep downloading 0.2a to this day.