Console for SFML Devs and players

[Meerjel01]

I had a crazy idea about making a game console dedicated to 2D/SFML games for awhile now. It should be made to handle SFML the best and be easy to develop for.

Just an idea I had. But I might try to make it a reality as well.

[eXpl0it3r]

By game console you mean hardware specifically suited for SFML or what does that mean exactly?

[Meerjel01]

By game console you mean hardware specifically suited for SFML or what does that mean exactly?

Yes that is it. A console that works with SFML better than any other.

[Krog]

Hello !

Something like that ?

https://loulou.developpez.com/tutoriels/moteur3d/partie7/

[eXpl0it3r]

Oh wow, where did you dig up that oldie. A 3D engine by Laurent from 2005, that's like before SFML even started

I think Meerjel01 meant more something like PICO8 or a NES, but somehow built around SFML and not really talking about a terminal/console.

[Meerjel01]

Yes I meant something like a NES but not as limited in graphics and such.

Let's say it's like an Xbox without any 3D features. A retro console that's easy to use and easy to work with. I would want it to be a reality no doubt.

[fallahn]

I thought about this some time ago, and even did some experiments. The idea was to use an x86 SBC as the hardware (something like an UDOO bolt or LattePanda) and run a minimal version of linux on it - for example with no desktop environement. x86 would be ideal as there would be no need for cross-compiler setup (although perhaps some wrangling of libraries to get a compatible development environment).

For software I created this as a working proof of concept: https://github.com/fallahn/osgc

It basically runs a front-end executable (written with SFML of course ) that allows browsing games similarly to Kodi for videos or RetroArch for emulators.

Games themselves are then built as DLLs (or SOs as we're on linux) instead of executables. Then they can be copied to an SD card or the storage of the SBC so that the frontend can load the games at runtime.

With a bit of work and a 3D printed case, maybe it could be turned into a console-like device

[Krog]

Oh wow, where did you dig up that oldie. A 3D engine by Laurent from 2005, that's like before SFML even started

I'm a old member of www.developpez.com 

[Meerjel01]

I thought about this some time ago, and even did some experiments. The idea was to use an x86 SBC as the hardware (something like an UDOO bolt or LattePanda) and run a minimal version of linux on it - for example with no desktop environement. x86 would be ideal as there would be no need for cross-compiler setup (although perhaps some wrangling of libraries to get a compatible development environment).

For software I created this as a working proof of concept: https://github.com/fallahn/osgc

It basically runs a front-end executable (written with SFML of course ) that allows browsing games similarly to Kodi for videos or RetroArch for emulators.

Games themselves are then built as DLLs (or SOs as we're on linux) instead of executables. Then they can be copied to an SD card or the storage of the SBC so that the frontend can load the games at runtime.

With a bit of work and a 3D printed case, maybe it could be turned into a console-like device

That's just amazing! All I have is a Raspberry Pi 1 that I can't make a custom OS for.

[Meerjel01]

How to manufacture a line of these SFML consoles for people all around to play with? I think it's to prove that it'll work?

Cause I have a plan to turn my Raspberry Pi into one of these consoles and showcase it to some company that'll accept it. Sure I need to learn how to make an operative system but I possibly can do that.

[Meerjel01]

Haha. I'm back here again.

Is it possible porting SFML to a Raspberry Pi with a custom OS? I wanna know cause I still want to make a game console out of it.

[fallahn]

Not sure you really need a custom OS - you can use this with your regular Linux pi distro - https://github.com/mickelson/sfml-pi - it'll run without X11/windowing so it can draw directly to the screen (like a console). I've used it in the past to create a 'digital scoreboard' for a darts game at a local bar.

Or, in other words, using the that version of SFML to create a console-like frontend (similar to what I mentioned in my previous post) have it launch immediately once the pi boots. From there you can load any game etc from SD card, and developers have a familiar environment (SFML) to create games for your console

[Meerjel01]

I could but I want to adventure a bit with this. I wanna make an operative system that feels like it was for a console. Sorta like the Original Xbox OS/BIOS.

Also I always wanted to make an operative system for something like this.