Would it be possible to compile SCUMMVM für µCs?

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Stefan_z
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Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:18 pm

Would it be possible to compile SCUMMVM für µCs?

Post by Stefan_z »

Hi!

I was wondering, if the basic parts of ScummVM could be ported to a microcontroller?

With "basic" I mean support for the classics like Monkey I, Zak, maybe early Sierra-Stuff. Lets say the Atari ST Versions.

You can get a 32-Bit µC with all the peripheral features for under 10 EUR these days. And touch-screens would pose a cool mouse-replacement.

So could anyone sketch out the basic hardware-requirements for me?
- How much RAM would we need.
- What is the original-to-emulator CPU-ratio? (How much more CPU does the emu need compared to the original)

Maybe some people besides me are interested in a do-it-yourself Open-Source ScummVM-Handheld?
I have experience in designing PCBs and good suppliers for parts - so if a bunch of people hop onto the wagon, we could start with some custom protoboards around 30-50 EUR each, depending on the hardware (µC, USB, card-reader, touch-screen)

Let me know what you think....

Stefan
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LordHoto
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Re: Would it be possible to compile SCUMMVM für µCs?

Post by LordHoto »

Stefan_z wrote:So could anyone sketch out the basic hardware-requirements for me?
- How much RAM would we need.
- What is the original-to-emulator CPU-ratio? (How much more CPU does the emu need compared to the original)
Well ScummVM is no emulator. It does include some emulators for sound chips though, best known is the OPL emulator here. For the next release we have two OPL emulators included to be precise: our old MAME based one, and a new one from DOSBox (which *is* an emulator).

So I guess the "original-to-emulator CPU-ratio" question can't be answered here.

For a estimated CPU power, you'll probably have something at least as powerful as a ARM with 67MHz, like the NDS has.

For the RAM usage, well the NDS port works with 4MB and that even hardly in some cases. So I guess something around that will be needed.

So much for these questions. Apart I don't think that's an easily achievable goal you have here (if at all):

First of all you would need a C++ compiler for your micro controller, I don't know how many are out there, but even seeing some for more popular platforms out there makes this looking hard ;-). And of course you would need to adapt the ScummVM code to support low level functionality offered by your device. That includes graphics output, audio output, file i/o, user i/o.

That is of course after you got a powerful enough hardware design to work. I do not have any experience there, but I doubt that is easily achievable either.
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bobdevis
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Post by bobdevis »

Stefan, I have no useful info for you myself, but I was wandering if you were aware of the Pandora project.
It's a fully open source/open spec portable game console. It's not as bare-butt basic as what you have in mind, but the forums there may have some info you are looking for.
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