Mala Plugins

Installing MaLa Plug-Ins

Installing a plug-in varies a little but basically you need to have the *.mplugin file in the ../mala/plugins directory as well as any other files (like set-up files) that are provided with the Plug-In.

When MaLa starts it looks to see what *.mplugin files are in that directory. It will then list them in..

Assuming you have done the relevant set-up (if any) required for that plug-in, it should work the next time you run MaLa.

Creating MaLa Plug-Ins

Know how to code in Delphi or C++?

Even if you don't, why not try?

You can download 'Free' Delphi and 'Free' C++ and begin producing your own Plug-ins very quickly:

It can be as complex or as simple as you like. Start by modifying the example supplied. (Event Logger)

Free Download Links:

Turbo Delphi: http://www.turboexplorer.com/downloads

MS C++: http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/visualc/default.aspx

In a nutshell, the plug-ins are triggered on various events.

• Game Selected,
• Emulator Selected,
• List Selected,
• Orientation Switch,
• Game Start,
• Game Quit,
• Screen saver Start,
• Screen saver Switch,
• Screen saver Stop,
• Attract Mode Start,
• Attract Mode Stop,
• MaLa Start,
• MaLa Quit,
• MaLa Tree Up,
• MaLaTree Down

On these events you decide what your plug-in will do..

Or you can have your Plug-in tell MaLa what to do (using MaLa Messages)

• STOP BG MUSIC
• START BG MUSIC
• NEXT SONG

    MALAMSG_PREVIOUSSONG = WM_USER + 13;

    MALAMSG_SWITCHORIENTATION = WM_USER + 20;
    MALAMSG_FLIPORIENTATION = WM_USER + 21;

    MALAMSG_STARTSCREENSAVER = WM_USER + 30;
    MALAMSG_STOPSCREENSAVER = WM_USER + 31;

    MALAMSG_ONEUP = WM_USER + 40;
    MALAMSG_ONEDOWN = WM_USER + 41;
    MALAMSG_XUP = WM_USER + 42;
    MALAMSG_XDOWN = WM_USER + 43;
    MALAMSG_LETTERUP = WM_USER + 44;
    MALAMSG_LETTERDOWN = WM_USER + 45;

    MALAMSG_NEXTGAMELIST = WM_USER + 50;
    MALAMSG_PREVIOUSGAMELIST = WM_USER + 51;
    MALAMSG_NEXTEMULATOR = WM_USER + 52;
    MALAMSG_PREVIOUSEMULATOR = WM_USER + 53;

    MALAMSG_STARTGAME = WM_USER + 60;
    MALAMSG_STARTRNDGAME = WM_USER + 61;
    MALAMSG_QUITGAME = WM_USER + 62;

    MALAMSG_EXIT = WM_USER + 70;

• Much more

You, for example may have the PC do something like make a BEEP noise when you start a game or you may have it do something more complex like mapping controls for your joysticks for a custom control panel.

In any case, download the Plug-in SDK and have a play. http://mala.arcadezentrum.com/easytrack.php?id=pluginSDKv1.1

The example provided, 'EVENT LOGGER' saves a line to a text file every time a event happens.

When you are ready you can substitute this code with your own code to make the plug-in do somethings else.

Try it. It's lots of fun :-)

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