What constitutes an new, stable release?

pezhead53 · Post by **pezhead53** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 5:26 am

I've been curious about this for a while. When/how does the ScummVM team decide to "cut-off" new game support and bug-test/create a new stable release? Is it number of new games supported, amount of time elapsed, or something else entirely?

MrPunchy · Post by **MrPunchy** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 4:26 pm

Raziel · Post by **Raziel** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 7:11 pm

I believe right now, due to constant effort and adding stuff, fixing bugs and to keep the user from waiting too long, a 6-month development period is aimed...so, two releases a year, adding one or two extra releases, if inbetween bugfixing is needed.

Post by **Strangerke** » Mon Mar 25, 2013 9:27 am

The current stable major version (1.5.0) has been released on 27/7, so we are indeed late on the schedule described by Raziel.

The only strict rule for a new stable major release is "when it's ready". It's not only a joke: in order to release a new version, we first make a pre-release period during which we ask porters to compile a new binary, and users/developers to test a list of engines. Then of course developers have eventually to fix bugs... then when it's ready we announce it.

This requires obviously developers to have a fair amount of free time to be able to test and fix their engine(s), and to porters to test and fix their port(s).

Also, there would be no interest to release a new version of ScummVM if nothing was modified since the last one. Each time until now, we had new games supported, bugs fixed, new features... It'll be the same for v1.6.0 as we have 4 new games supported in the daily builds.

I can understand that it's painful to wait... But please be patient, it'll come... when it's ready!

If you want to contribute: don't hesitate to tell. We always need more testers, more developers, etc.

pezhead53 · Post by **pezhead53** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 4:04 am

Thanks for all the info, I didn't mean to come off as begging for a new release, I just wondered what the thought process was "behind the scenes". While I'd be about as helpful as a pet rock when it comes to programming/development, I'd be more than happy to test the games I own.