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Time to release CPS2? (Patreon)

Published:
2021-06-12 07:29:55
Imported:
2026-06

Poll

Time to release CPS2?

  • Prepare the public release, despite the mentioned problems 208
  • Try to polish it a bit more before going public 764
  • Either option is fine 270
  • 2021-06-12
  • 1242 votes
{'title': 'Time to release CPS2?', 'choices': [{'text': 'Prepare the public release, despite the mentioned problems', 'votes': 208}, {'text': 'Try to polish it a bit more before going public', 'votes': 764}, {'text': 'Either option is fine', 'votes': 270}], 'closes_at': None, 'created_at': datetime.datetime(2021, 6, 12, 7, 29, 55, tzinfo=datetime.timezone.utc), 'description': None, 'allow_multiple': False, 'total_votes': 1242}

Content

The CPS2 core still has several issues which are all likely linked to a bug in the M68000 CPU. I will eventually find and fix the bug, but it can still take from days to a few weeks.

If I release CPS2 as it is, there is a major problem with Mars Matrix and with Gigawing's final boss. 

I haven't been able to run the speed comparison tests yet, but that worries me less as it will be easy to correct once we have the speed test suite in place.

So I am not entirely happy about making it public in that state, but I don't like having a very long beta either. What do you think?

Comments

Hunter

Honestly, do what seems best. If you feel like the product you set out to produce is there then I’d release it, otherwise I might give it some time.

Zar

I feel that as minimum, the core can be released once all games are playable beginning to end. I don't think having the core come out and just having the conversation about Giga Wing and Mars Matrix not being playable is helpful.

Slick Sic

No rush, take your time 👌🏼

Pezz82

Perhaps you could release the core publicly but without the MRA files for the 2 wonky games,

Grant Byers

I think if you release publicly, you'll end up inundated with furious rants from ungrateful people that think your sole job is to please them with nothing in return. Sounds horrible, but see it time and again in retro communities.

Brian

So many games work great, no core is perfect and many continue to get updates, to me 2 games out of the multiple that work great doesn’t seem like a big deal. Once the issues are found it will be that much better.

Andrea Bogazzi

so in my opinion you can try to fix the bug before releasing, but not because we need the fix but because the intention was when 'out of beta'. There is no rush in having the core public, who really wants to play with them can even just do one month patronage. cores won't be perfect but at least you can say you did all you knew there was to do.

Johan Smolinski

I’d say just release it. Prepare a well written public note that you can just give to anyone reporting a known problem. The educated part of the community will help you spreading the word.

Andrea Bogazzi

but also, did we cover all the cps2 spectrum yet?

David Moylan

most of the games work near perfect, and all of the other public cores by other people still release updates after their initial release. i agree with some of the previous comments, however, that any games that are broken shouldn't be released. probably the best solution is to make a cutoff date and release it at that time. you could work toward fixing as many bugs as possible, but still release it in whatever shape it's in (minus any still broken games) on some arbitrary date like the middle of July.

wwark

One thing I see if the CPS2 core becomes public some devs can help to improve it and maybe fixes the last major issues.

Eric J Faulkes

Was playing super street fighter turbo or something like that, and noticed graphical issues in the bottom left of the screen looks like text overlay

just z00t

I would still release it as is just for the optics of it to the public. You said last week was the last beta and people are expecting it to be released.

Carlo Pedrazzini

No rush for me; cycle accuracy is what should be the first priority in releasing FPGA. I like Mister better than software emulation because with FPGA you know when you have a FINAL release.

Spiff

Perfect is the enemy of good. Do what brings you joy, you can never satisfy everyone.

Raziel

I'm happy either way, there are definitely benefits to both approaches. If you think releasing it publicly could help track down the bug, I'd say it's worth doing. But there isn't really a wrong answer here, do what you think is best...

Jörg Müller

Noob question: if it's a problem with the 68000, does it exist on other cores like the NeoGeo,MegaDrive or Minimig or does it work differently on those systems?

Andyways

MiSTer users are very understanding from what I’ve seen. We are all here for the long haul. There is much enthusiasm for the (public) release of this core. They won’t mind these remaining issues you mention.

Hung Ta

I would say make it public when you feel like it. Shouldn't be publish because the public expects it to be release soon

Dan Doyle

I originally said either was fine but then switched it because I was thinking about how Blackwine fixed that 3 player issue for C&D. Maybe others can pitch in on bugs?

DenizB

Just don’t let bullies like sentientsix pressure you into anything. The patreon beta programme works great and I am very happy you have enough funding to get extra hands on board! I am a bit afraid some patreons are going to drop off before this is finished proper if it becomes public too early.

David Zane

Release and hold back Mars Matrix and Giga Wing until they are ready, rest of them play fine

Raph_friend

Plublic only when it's perfect.

IndieRetroHack

Don’t give in to any pressure, release when you’re happy to release… on one hand you’ll get more people playing and testing but then you will get people complaining… personally I would wait and release when you’re ready but as a Patreon, I wouldn’t be upset if you released it now either :-). It’s great work and your efforts are very much appreciated.

Muriel Melvin

I dunno man. Do your thing. I'm good either way.

Theodore Huber

No hurry, take your time until you’re happy with the results.

Sinan Altınuç

Even with the very early patreon releases here my experience was fairly good. I don't think the MiSTeR community would mind the bugs very much while they last. There are lots of games that don't have the problem. But more than anything it's your call.However you feel more comfertable

Ethan Tabor

No reason to keep this from the public. Release it with the known issues. 👍

Gladius

I'd say hold it back a little only because of the speedup bugs in Mars Matrix (which renders the game nearly unplayable at times). Every other game works amazingly well for me with no glaring issues. You've done an amazing job with this core, Jotego!

a sandwich

I'd wait until you feel happy with it, there's no rush. Just enjoy the process!

Stephen Goldberg

After the reaction from some parts of twitter over a non-issue I figure you are damned if you do, damned if you don't. Releasing early could give them ammunition to try and attack you for releasing unfinished product, and/or empower them to think you can be bullied into shortening the beta cycle .

Cobra Clips Gaming

Do what you feel is right. I was glad I was able to contribute a little bit.

Southy

More than happy to support you in whatever you think is best, so if you think it needs more time I say wait and polish it.

Kyle Lenhardt

I say no rush. Release it when YOU'RE ready to release it.

Oliver Wndmth

Doesn't matter what you do, there will be complaints. With a polished core these will be better to overcome

henrique adriano

The more people try out the core, more beta testers you will have, I don’t mind in use this core a little bit and provide some insights ;)

Dinierto Designs

As much as I really want everyone to play this core, I'd rather see it in a virtually complete state then have a couple of games broken. So I'd rather you spend the time to iron out those before the public gets a release

Tatton Partington

Many of the cores are released before they reach 100% compatibility. We've all had fun experiences with them as they get polished up. Most of us are invested in this platform because we're excited about the constant growth and change. Outside of these two games, this core feels solid. I agree with the notion to hold back the two MRAs and release the core so everyone else can have the same fun we've had during the beta period. Edit: Full disclosure, I'm someone who joined this patreon to support developing more cores, not for the sole purpose of getting access to the beta builds. I understand why the beta builds are behind the paywall since they can have varying levels of stability. I fully admit that I'm biased against the notion that "people can pay for the patreon if they don't want to wait." That feels like it's coming from an exclusionary place considering how stable the core is currently. I personally believe that we should continue to support this platform being as open as possible.

Tonurics

Either option is fine really. But remember the adage: "a delayed game is eventually good..." ultimate purpose of the beta period is to find and fix game breaking bugs before passing it on to end users. There will be, despite your best efforts, end users who will remain uninformed and think there is something wrong with your unfinished code.

ItalianGrandma

Polish, fix, release. Everyone will be blown away even more when you make it public!

Paul Cunningham

Remember to have some free time for yourself as well mate. You’ve done so much in a small amount of time. Don’t burn yourself out.

Robin Cort

The cps 1 and 1.5 were near perfect on public release. I think that having high accuracy cores is an important part of the mister project so possibly release the games that are accurate now and with hold the couple of games that are still inaccurate. Personally I will keep up my Patreon what ever you choice is on this matter. We all know you do so much for the project. Your tweaking of the 68000 will have huge effect on so many other projects going forward and the dedication you and the team have to accuracy is important in archiving these old arcade systems. The reason I got in to the mister project was mainly because of these arcade systems. FBA and MAME have been great over the years but highly buggy and in many cases highly inaccurate. Mister is about something more and the teams that work on these cores deserve to be paid for there dedication to the community.

blackwine

As Linus's law says, "given enough eyeballs, all bugs are shallow". I would love to see the CPS2 source code. It could help find the M68K bug.

Commander Keen

The CPS2 core is awesome! I have had a lot of fun playing those games and I'm sure others will too. I'm voting for the public release. People do expect some development work on MiSTer cores so I think everyone's expectation should allow for not perfect. Not to mention many of the games are operating perfectly.

Steven A Rodriguez

I voted for more polish. But there are always more bugs to iron out even after you think you found most of them. I always like the idea of a clean release even though I would love to play sooner.

Kyle Green

I say go public. At this point the major issues are known and there's not much value in further private "beta testing." Is there a way to program in a one time splash screen that announces the public release, acknowledges the current limitations, thanks Patrons etc.?