Can't get games to run on R36S

Ask for help with ScummVM problems

Moderator: ScummVM Team

Post Reply
kohthemonstertamer
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Feb 23, 2024 8:09 pm

Can't get games to run on R36S

Post by kohthemonstertamer »

Title; I have been trying for a week or so now to get some older Humongous Entertainment games to run on my portable emulator to no avail. I have used both the ripped physical CDs and the steam version files and continue to run into the same error listed below;

ScummVM 2.8.0git (Feb 28 2023 09:56:00)

Console is ready

Debugger started, type 'exit' to return to the game.

Type 'help' to see a little list of commands and variables.

ERROR: (0:16:0x1C) decodeParseString: default case 0x41!

I have tried making a different .scummvm file for the game following the wiki but still nothing, as well as searching up the error. Any help would be appreciated.
User avatar
sev
ScummVM Lead
Posts: 2304
Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2005 1:06 pm
Contact:

Re: Can't get games to run on R36S

Post by sev »

Which Wiki did you follow? We do not recommend or require creating any additional .scummvm files.

Where does your ScummVM build come from?

Also, do the same files run well on your PC? Which game is that?

And it is difficult to understand what "portable emulator" means. Is it some kind of an unofficial port?


Eugene
kohthemonstertamer
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Feb 23, 2024 8:09 pm

Re: Can't get games to run on R36S

Post by kohthemonstertamer »

https://www.scummvm.org/compatibility/
Is what I used, but I also just directly copied the steam versions without changing the .scummvm ID file

https://youtu.be/bfkio3nr7SQ?si=UDvW0GVrSJI8FaX5

This is the video I was trying to follow, and when I meant portable emulator I meant a physical device called an R36S (not the one in the video but similar) it is running ArkOS.

The files work fine with my PC, and the games are Putt Putt saves the zoo, travels through time, and joins the circus, as well as pajama Sam 1 and 2.

I think in the error message I posted it says what version of the Scummvm emulator I'm using.
User avatar
Praetorian
ScummVM Developer
Posts: 882
Joined: Tue May 08, 2007 8:54 am
Location: Greece
Contact:

Re: Can't get games to run on R36S

Post by Praetorian »

It looks like the ArkOS distribution has a ScummVM version that is a special build (and from a year-old source code). The ".scummvm" dummy description file requirement points to the use of a RetroArch ScummVM "core". But personally I've never played with Retroarch and I can't provide much support for it.

Maybe you'll have some luck if you ask on the Retroarch forums /discord?

A few things to note:
  • We have wiki entries for (most) games supported by ScummVM, which should have details and notes on the data files required per game. Your linked video shows that for Flight Of The Amazon Queen. Here's a page with a list of wiki entries per Putt Putt title: <https://wiki.scummvm.org/index.php/Putt-Putt_series> and for Pajama Sam: <https://wiki.scummvm.org/index.php?titl ... Sam_series>
  • Your linked video is from 2021, so quite old and refers to an older version of ScummVM / ScummVM's core (than the 2.8.0git build you have installed).
  • On the github readme page linked on your video (https://github.com/christianhaitian/ark ... nformation) there's this note for ScummVM:
    You can use the Scan for new games feature in the system folder to create the .scummvm dummy files so the games can show up on the menu. You can also just click on menu in the system folder to go straight into ScummVM’s interface and load your games there.
    Maybe you can use this automated way to create the required .scummvm file so as to avoid confusion on what to write in it and how to name it?
  • Our games' compatibiity page has been changed since 2021. It no longer lists a "short name" per game, but rather a ScummVM ID which typically includes a ":" character in it. It's possible that this change would introduce issues if you're following the manual way of creating the .scummvm file as described in the old linked video from 2021.
ybc007
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2021 2:18 pm

Re: Can't get games to run on R36S

Post by ybc007 »

I have similar issues too and I'm posted on reddit. Here's my experience I posted in r/R36S subreddit. Let me know if you have any solution!

Scummvm in Arkos R36S won't load games

Hi there,

Just installed arkos latest version on R36S and all works except Scummvm.

It won't recognize games in standalone core. Try RetroArch to load world of xeen, lands in f lore and they do not work

Tried putting the .scummvm file with short name and still won't work

World of xeen error msg says missing mm.dat but mm.dat is for might and magic 1 not for xeen

The game files works as the same games run on PC and miyoo mini plus

Try RetroArch Scummvm front end to load but it says can't find game file (except mm1 enhanced which it recognized)

Any help or similar experience? Thanks
User avatar
dreammaster
ScummVM Developer
Posts: 558
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 2:16 am
Location: San Jose, California, USA

Re: Can't get games to run on R36S

Post by dreammaster »

I can't offer any real suggestions, beyond mentioning that mm.dat has data for both MM1 as well as the Xeen games.
Post Reply