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johnparker007

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Tech update :) Have been working on getting the arcade load/unload cycle to not 'leak' memory... currently each time you exit the arcade to the frontend then reload, the amount of RAM Arcade Sim is using grows. 

I was losing about 5-6 hundred megabytes each load/unload cycle (which is a lot!)... have now got it down to 2-3 hundred megabytes lost... which is still a lot :) 

So, the search continues for more memory that I/Unity is leaking (there are internal engine bugs with some things such as addressables I believe, that only happen in builds).

Before the leak hunting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llnOO13CCT0

After a few nights of leak hunting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c65I1qA3ht8


Ideally I'd like to get it down to very low/zero... in the next patch there is at least one setting which requires exiting to the front end and reloading ('Disable Videogame Attracts'), plus once there are multiple arcades and the Arcade Editor, there will be more reasons why the user would keep exiting then loading arcades.

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[ Arcade Simulator ] Pre-alpha installer: http://arcadesimulator.net  |  Known Issues: https://tinyurl.com/yz4uom2e  |  Donation info: https://tinyurl.com/yzvgl4xo
[ Community Drive ] The drive: http://tinyurl.com/yckze665
[ Fruit Machine Database ] Initial google sheets (WIP): https://tinyurl.com/2c5znxzz
[ MFME Launch ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/MFMELaunch
[ Oasis ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/Oasis
[ Sound ROM Editor ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/SoundRomEditor

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Tech update - continuing work on memory leaks :)  

Leaking far less RAM now, though it currently means that loading back to the frontend, Arcade Sim becomes unresponsive to Windows whilst unloading everything!

I think I need to do something about that, as Windows will start popping up 'Arcade Simulator has become unresponsive, close now' prompts, especially on slower machines...

But it is good that most (still a few very small ones to mop up if possible) of the leaks are fixed :) 

After another night's leak hunting:
https://youtu.be/hhwodWO5rpo

Edited by johnparker007
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[ Arcade Simulator ] Pre-alpha installer: http://arcadesimulator.net  |  Known Issues: https://tinyurl.com/yz4uom2e  |  Donation info: https://tinyurl.com/yzvgl4xo
[ Community Drive ] The drive: http://tinyurl.com/yckze665
[ Fruit Machine Database ] Initial google sheets (WIP): https://tinyurl.com/2c5znxzz
[ MFME Launch ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/MFMELaunch
[ Oasis ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/Oasis
[ Sound ROM Editor ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/SoundRomEditor

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Tech update - the work on memory leaks and also some loading/unloading improvements now done :) 

For the technically curious - a video showing the latest loading/unloading testing;
- new spinner to show activity during startup, and also unloading
- faster unloading
- no more leaks
- stays responsive to OS during unloading

https://youtu.be/5EbIITdei20

A little hacked together (as always) but all seems to be working as needed for now :)  Still a bunch of tasks to do before patch, list is growing even as I cross things off at the moment... :/ 
 

AS todo before back to fruit machines:

Before patch:
-------------

TODO - in ComponentReel, now I'm doing shared material, causing the assets to keep updating.  Could make new materials from the disk based at reel start - MUST remember to delete newly made material otherwise memory leaks!

CPU:
- video quality/distance slider (don't get blurry lods until further away)

CPU:
- video black popin protection (seperate for 'facing screen angle' and 'overwide frustrum'?  Or combine into one overall speed vs quality slider?

CPU:
- no audio file/playback when audio attract is silence (potentially further video CPU speedup by not having to sync with silent attracts?)

GFX:
- marquees: set up the increased internal LOD bias as part of marquee/videogame build process, need to be same as fruit machine backglass

GPU:
Optimise Goliath if possible from old process, optimise other models?  Poly reduction/LODs will bring down GPU ceiling light overhead

Audio - no audio during load/unload (maybe pull all into mixer)

After patch:
------------

- cycling screenshots mode for users on weaker systems who need to disable attract videos

- Goliath; art very blurry - needs trace redraw at much higher resolution.  outer part is mainly curves and lines, straightforward to redo.

 

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[ Arcade Simulator ] Pre-alpha installer: http://arcadesimulator.net  |  Known Issues: https://tinyurl.com/yz4uom2e  |  Donation info: https://tinyurl.com/yzvgl4xo
[ Community Drive ] The drive: http://tinyurl.com/yckze665
[ Fruit Machine Database ] Initial google sheets (WIP): https://tinyurl.com/2c5znxzz
[ MFME Launch ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/MFMELaunch
[ Oasis ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/Oasis
[ Sound ROM Editor ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/SoundRomEditor

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Not really a dev update, but hardware!  I've been getting some system instability, and had a couple of these over the past couple of days:
15097376698863_smb-zero-day-windows.jpeg

(this isn't my actual one, it's one I grabbed online - I don't have the 'What failed' info).

I have added RAM (from 16gb to 32gb as I was running low doing the memory leak work; same brand/spec) and also overclocked CPU slightly (RAM is actually underclocked a little)... but nothing crazy.  I've tested RAM and it checks out ok.

So checking further it appears my CPU temperature is just too high (by like over 20 degrees C)... so I'm thinking next I remove the thermal paste and redo...
image.thumb.png.321fcb7b8af4be47ed7b37311de442ce.png

lt's using a tower cooler, so a bit better than stock (though not some fancy water cooler thing)...

I'm seeing other folks with my CPU and temperatures, and they've overlocked to like over 5 GHz!  So something's amiss somewhere I think... 

I also leave the side of my PC at all times (have done for years) to get all that passive cooling, and have removed all the fluff that was caught in the cooler fins and fan blades.  I'm sure this should be much cooler...

Edited by johnparker007
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[ Arcade Simulator ] Pre-alpha installer: http://arcadesimulator.net  |  Known Issues: https://tinyurl.com/yz4uom2e  |  Donation info: https://tinyurl.com/yzvgl4xo
[ Community Drive ] The drive: http://tinyurl.com/yckze665
[ Fruit Machine Database ] Initial google sheets (WIP): https://tinyurl.com/2c5znxzz
[ MFME Launch ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/MFMELaunch
[ Oasis ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/Oasis
[ Sound ROM Editor ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/SoundRomEditor

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I'd be quite surprised if this is the issue but leaving the side off the case isn't always a good idea, depending on fan configuration it can remove the wind tunnel effect.  You can lose a lot of air that would otherwise be forced over MB components en route to the exhaust.

I hope this isn't an annoying comment.  It's dependant on case design, and as I say I'd still be surprised at this causing crashes.  Redoing thermal paste like you said sounds more likely to help.

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5 hours ago, pubjoe said:

I'd be quite surprised if this is the issue but leaving the side off the case isn't always a good idea, depending on fan configuration it can remove the wind tunnel effect.  You can lose a lot of air that would otherwise be forced over MB components en route to the exhaust.

I hope this isn't an annoying comment.  It's dependant on case design, and as I say I'd still be surprised at this causing crashes.  Redoing thermal paste like you said sounds more likely to help.

I know what you're saying about the wind tunnel effect of the through draft from front/rear case fans - but this is something else -  very warm when all cores are generally idle.  I've ordered some decent quality thermal paste, plus will ensure a tight fit between heatsink and chip lid, as I didn't actually fit this cooler myself originally - hopefully will fix the issue 🤞 

Back in my Core2Duo overclock days (they really OC'd well, I think I had a 2.4Ghz running around 3.3Ghz!), I used a custom solution with washers and machine screws to get a much tighter fit, dropped a good 5 degrees just from the improved fit :) 

image.thumb.png.3528add685f9972229fda063fc39b063.png

[ Arcade Simulator ] Pre-alpha installer: http://arcadesimulator.net  |  Known Issues: https://tinyurl.com/yz4uom2e  |  Donation info: https://tinyurl.com/yzvgl4xo
[ Community Drive ] The drive: http://tinyurl.com/yckze665
[ Fruit Machine Database ] Initial google sheets (WIP): https://tinyurl.com/2c5znxzz
[ MFME Launch ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/MFMELaunch
[ Oasis ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/Oasis
[ Sound ROM Editor ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/SoundRomEditor

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Demo of two new settings to help with the attract videos, for people whose systems are 'only just about fast enough' to run with video game attracts.  Currently the video game attracts are quite CPU intensive... dialling one/both of these new settings down can save about 20-30% CPU in demanding scenarios, from preliminary testing.
 


The first shown 'Distance/Resolution' affects how far away before it can use 'blurrier' videos.  The second shown 'Pop-in Protection' affects how much black screen pop-in protection for when user rapidly moving laterally/turning their head/mouse fast.  The second is a bit rough, I think currently it's like 50% is best quality for 1080p screens, and 100% is best quality for 4k screens. 

I'll be doing another pass in the future to tidy settings more, and have some other things like an FPS watchdog, so if the user is experiencing low framerates, it can suggest which settings they should reduce... but for now, I'm just dumping new settings into menus as they are :) 

Edited by johnparker007
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[ Arcade Simulator ] Pre-alpha installer: http://arcadesimulator.net  |  Known Issues: https://tinyurl.com/yz4uom2e  |  Donation info: https://tinyurl.com/yzvgl4xo
[ Community Drive ] The drive: http://tinyurl.com/yckze665
[ Fruit Machine Database ] Initial google sheets (WIP): https://tinyurl.com/2c5znxzz
[ MFME Launch ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/MFMELaunch
[ Oasis ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/Oasis
[ Sound ROM Editor ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/SoundRomEditor

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Have you tried a different psu?   if it's a new phenomenon it sounds like a motherboard / graphics card / or psu problem...  I know when I had that problem on my old tower I was recommended to get a modular psu...  no idea what that was so got a new laptop instead...  

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39 minutes ago, eagle64 said:

Have you tried a different psu?   if it's a new phenomenon it sounds like a motherboard / graphics card / or psu problem...  I know when I had that problem on my old tower I was recommended to get a modular psu...  no idea what that was so got a new laptop instead...  

I have not, but this crash has only happened a couple of times, so it's not an easy one to verify... but it should never happen at all (BSOD).  I don't think changing PSU would make the CPU run cooler, it's currently running far too hot when idle - hopefully once I've fixed that thru new paste and tighter sink<>lid interface things should stabilise :)🤞

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[ Arcade Simulator ] Pre-alpha installer: http://arcadesimulator.net  |  Known Issues: https://tinyurl.com/yz4uom2e  |  Donation info: https://tinyurl.com/yzvgl4xo
[ Community Drive ] The drive: http://tinyurl.com/yckze665
[ Fruit Machine Database ] Initial google sheets (WIP): https://tinyurl.com/2c5znxzz
[ MFME Launch ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/MFMELaunch
[ Oasis ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/Oasis
[ Sound ROM Editor ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/SoundRomEditor

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It's been a while, but... a new patch is live! :)

This is the initial patch for the video games... it's all pretty experimental at present ;)  The attract videos are disabled by default, as they require a beefy CPU.  Enable them from Settings > Graphics > Attract Videos - you will then need to exit the arcade and reload it to see/hear the attract videos (The video games still work without the attract videos).

Video games keys (usually - some games have fire instead of start button):
0 - insert coin
1 - start
QAOP - up/down/left/right
Space/M/N/B - button 1/button 2/button 3/button 4

I've still a bunch of tasks to do on this, but I re-evaluated and decided these can be implemented in future patches, so we can see how well/badly this initial patch works out for people... :) 

Edited by johnparker007
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[ Arcade Simulator ] Pre-alpha installer: http://arcadesimulator.net  |  Known Issues: https://tinyurl.com/yz4uom2e  |  Donation info: https://tinyurl.com/yzvgl4xo
[ Community Drive ] The drive: http://tinyurl.com/yckze665
[ Fruit Machine Database ] Initial google sheets (WIP): https://tinyurl.com/2c5znxzz
[ MFME Launch ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/MFMELaunch
[ Oasis ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/Oasis
[ Sound ROM Editor ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/SoundRomEditor

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24 minutes ago, johnparker007 said:

It's been a while, but... a new patch is live! :)

This is the initial patch for the video games... it's all pretty experimental at present ;)  The attract videos are disabled by default, as they require a beefy CPU.  Enable them from Settings > Graphics > Attract Videos - you will then need to exit the arcade and reload it to see/hear the attract videos (The video games still work without the attract videos).

Video games keys (usually - some games have fire instead of start button):
0 - insert coin
1 - start
QAOP - up/down/left/right
Space/M/N/B - button 1/button 2/button 3/button 4

I've still a bunch of tasks to do on this, but I re-evaluated and decided these can be implemented in future patches, so we can see how well/badly this initial patch works out for people... :) 

that’s my April and may sorted 

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living the dream

 

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2 minutes ago, cja272 said:

WOW!!! fantastic just tried this on my laptop and all works fine 😀

Thanks for letting me know :) seemed to run ok in my limited testing, still a bunch more things to do before I can move back onto new fruities yet...

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[ Arcade Simulator ] Pre-alpha installer: http://arcadesimulator.net  |  Known Issues: https://tinyurl.com/yz4uom2e  |  Donation info: https://tinyurl.com/yzvgl4xo
[ Community Drive ] The drive: http://tinyurl.com/yckze665
[ Fruit Machine Database ] Initial google sheets (WIP): https://tinyurl.com/2c5znxzz
[ MFME Launch ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/MFMELaunch
[ Oasis ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/Oasis
[ Sound ROM Editor ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/SoundRomEditor

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Additional info - some pads such as PS4/5, Xbox360 etc might work for the games, this is vaguely set up though I've not tested for that yet as there's a whole big 'Controls' task to do at some point.

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[ Arcade Simulator ] Pre-alpha installer: http://arcadesimulator.net  |  Known Issues: https://tinyurl.com/yz4uom2e  |  Donation info: https://tinyurl.com/yzvgl4xo
[ Community Drive ] The drive: http://tinyurl.com/yckze665
[ Fruit Machine Database ] Initial google sheets (WIP): https://tinyurl.com/2c5znxzz
[ MFME Launch ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/MFMELaunch
[ Oasis ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/Oasis
[ Sound ROM Editor ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/SoundRomEditor

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7 minutes ago, dad said:

Fantastic work there JP athough quite a few of the Arcade games for me are rotated 90 degrees clockwise.   My lappy display res is 1920 x 1080 if that has anything to do with it??

Ah buggers, I tried a few and they seemed ok - this must be a bug - what is one of the arcade games that is rotated for you please?   :)

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[ Arcade Simulator ] Pre-alpha installer: http://arcadesimulator.net  |  Known Issues: https://tinyurl.com/yz4uom2e  |  Donation info: https://tinyurl.com/yzvgl4xo
[ Community Drive ] The drive: http://tinyurl.com/yckze665
[ Fruit Machine Database ] Initial google sheets (WIP): https://tinyurl.com/2c5znxzz
[ MFME Launch ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/MFMELaunch
[ Oasis ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/Oasis
[ Sound ROM Editor ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/SoundRomEditor

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Also just recorded a vid playing some of the fruits and videos games from the new patch:

 

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[ Arcade Simulator ] Pre-alpha installer: http://arcadesimulator.net  |  Known Issues: https://tinyurl.com/yz4uom2e  |  Donation info: https://tinyurl.com/yzvgl4xo
[ Community Drive ] The drive: http://tinyurl.com/yckze665
[ Fruit Machine Database ] Initial google sheets (WIP): https://tinyurl.com/2c5znxzz
[ MFME Launch ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/MFMELaunch
[ Oasis ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/Oasis
[ Sound ROM Editor ] Source code: https://github.com/johnparker007/SoundRomEditor

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7 minutes ago, johnparker007 said:

Ah buggers, I tried a few and they seemed ok - this must be a bug - what is one of the arcade games that is rotated for you please?   :)

Actually most I tried.  Space Invaders 1 & 2, Frogger, Galaxians etc

Star Castle works fine though, which is the one I asked for so thanks very much for adding that :)

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