Action Intents for Frontends

Subforum for discussion and help with ScummVM's Android port

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DarkSoul
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Joined: Sun May 14, 2006 7:56 pm

Action Intents for Frontends

Post by DarkSoul »

Game Frontends have come to Android in a big way in the last couple of months. There is Nostalgia, Gamesome and XBMC (via either the Advanced Launcher or RCB plugins). Links below if you're interested. Just like PC Frontends need command lines, Android frontends need Action Intents and I was wondering if the Android port of ScummVM will add these so it too can have games launched directly from a frontend.

Nostalgia - http://ouyaforum.com/showthread.php?453 ... -Zamastyle

Gamesome - http://boards.dingoonity.org/android-de ... or-androi/

XBMC - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthr ... ?t=2578612
digitall
ScummVM Developer
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Post by digitall »

Thanks for the note. There are no plans to add this feature currently, but we are an open source project and a code patch or Github Pull Request to implement this would likely be merged if someone submitted it...
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DarkSoul
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Post by DarkSoul »

I added the request some time ago like asked, but just wondering if there has been any interest from any of the Android Port developers to the intents request?
digitall
ScummVM Developer
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Post by digitall »

I'm afraid not. The only commit affecting Android specifically since you last commented was to fix bug #6108:
http://sourceforge.net/p/scummvm/bugs/6108/

This bug was open since 2012, so action intents will be probably be implemented around May 2016! :/

Seriously, we have limited developer resources of time and motivation, but we are an open source project. Patches/Pull requests are welcome and we are most responsive to these. General feature requests tend to end up in the "slush pile" until one of the developers wants to "scratch the itch".
flamming_python
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Re: Action Intents for Frontends

Post by flamming_python »

Hate to necropost a 5 y/o thread... but any updates on this?

There's an alternative in the form of the RetroArch SCUMMVM core, which does support intents.

But it's inferior in all aspects; it's slower, less compatible (later versions don't even run on my tablet), controls require a gamepad (granted they apparently introduced mouse support a while back), the UI has the learning curve of a jet fighter and you have to dick around with all these options just to get the core running the way you want it (I don't even know how to make the display stretch to the whole screen on my tablet).

The standalone SCUMMVM app for Android is a mile better, it just works straight out of the box so to speak, but it doesn't support intents and launching from gaming frontends such as hyperspin. In my case, I don't use a frontend, I just create custom shortcuts to reference intents with little custom icons so that I can launch games straight from the Android launcher. My case is very niche of course.. but the use of frontends on TV-based Android boxes and other Android devices is only growing, and adding intents to this app will save many users many a headache from RetroArch.
digitall
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Re: Action Intents for Frontends

Post by digitall »

Patches / PR still welcome...
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