FAQ:General Games - Revision history

Stiletto: /* How are video arcade games copy-protected, and why? */

2017-09-28T18:04:19Z

How are video arcade games copy-protected, and why?

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:04, 28 September 2017
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	Dumping this code is often a very difficult, or even an impossible task. However, there are sometimes ways to trick the MCU program to bypass the security measures and read the contents. Sometimes, though, the only option for the developer is to guess what the MCU does and simulate it as well as they can.		Dumping this code is often a very difficult, or even an impossible task. However, there are sometimes ways to trick the MCU program to bypass the security measures and read the contents. Sometimes, though, the only option for the developer is to guess what the MCU does and simulate it as well as they can.

	Of course, it gets even better if all of these are combined. The Dallas DS5002FP security chip (manufactured by Dallas Semiconductor) combines encryption of the internal ROM with a sort-of suicide battery that destroys the contents of the internal ROM if it is tampered with. It is also completely custom as opposed to for example the M68705 which has been used in many arcade games (for example Bubble Bobble) and therefore there is a lot of information available about it on the Internet. ~~The~~ Dallas security chip prevented a lot of Gaelco games from being emulated, for example, up until Peter Wilhelmsen and Morten Shearman Kirkegaard cracked it on behalf of MAME. [http://www.afdelingp.dk/files/articles/ds5002fp/ds5002fp.pdf The process they described] is not easy.		Of course, it gets even better if all of these are combined. The Dallas DS5002FP security chip (manufactured by Dallas Semiconductor) combines encryption of the internal ROM with a sort-of suicide battery that destroys the contents of the internal ROM if it is tampered with. It is also completely custom as opposed to for example the M68705 which has been used in many arcade games (for example Bubble Bobble) and therefore there is a lot of information available about it on the Internet. This Dallas security chip prevented a lot of Gaelco games from being emulated, for example, up until Peter Wilhelmsen and Morten Shearman Kirkegaard cracked it on behalf of MAME. [http://www.afdelingp.dk/files/articles/ds5002fp/ds5002fp.pdf The process they described] is not easy.

	==What are "custom chips"?==		==What are "custom chips"?==

Stiletto: Dallas update

2017-09-28T18:02:58Z

Dallas update

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:02, 28 September 2017
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	Dumping this code is often a very difficult, or even an impossible task. However, there are sometimes ways to trick the MCU program to bypass the security measures and read the contents. Sometimes, though, the only option for the developer is to guess what the MCU does and simulate it as well as they can.		Dumping this code is often a very difficult, or even an impossible task. However, there are sometimes ways to trick the MCU program to bypass the security measures and read the contents. Sometimes, though, the only option for the developer is to guess what the MCU does and simulate it as well as they can.

	Of course, it gets even better if all of these are combined. The Dallas DS5002FP security chip (manufactured by Dallas Semiconductor) combines encryption of the internal ROM with a sort-of suicide battery that destroys the contents of the internal ROM if it is tampered with. It is also completely custom as opposed to for example the M68705 which has been used in many arcade games (for example Bubble Bobble) and therefore there is a lot of information available about it on the Internet. The Dallas security chip ~~prevents~~ a lot of Gaelco games from being emulated, for example. ~~It's not invincible, though, since~~ [http://www.cl.~~cam.ac.uk~~/~~~mgk25~~/ ~~Markus Kuhn~~] ~~claims to have cracked it, although the process he describes~~ is not easy.		Of course, it gets even better if all of these are combined. The Dallas DS5002FP security chip (manufactured by Dallas Semiconductor) combines encryption of the internal ROM with a sort-of suicide battery that destroys the contents of the internal ROM if it is tampered with. It is also completely custom as opposed to for example the M68705 which has been used in many arcade games (for example Bubble Bobble) and therefore there is a lot of information available about it on the Internet. The Dallas security chip prevented a lot of Gaelco games from being emulated, for example, up until Peter Wilhelmsen and Morten Shearman Kirkegaard cracked it on behalf of MAME. [http://www.afdelingp.dk/files/articles/ds5002fp/ds5002fp.pdf The process they described] is not easy.

	==What are "custom chips"?==		==What are "custom chips"?==

Firehawke: Notice: This is on the migration list.

2016-06-02T02:55:20Z

Notice: This is on the migration list.

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:55, 2 June 2016
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			This will be migrated to the official documentation later...

	Return to the main [[Frequently Asked Questions]] page.		Return to the main [[Frequently Asked Questions]] page.
	==Why are there so many versions of Galaxian, Donkey Kong, Pac-Man, etc.?==		==Why are there so many versions of Galaxian, Donkey Kong, Pac-Man, etc.?==

Stiletto: /* How do I play Truco / Hanafuda / Shougi? */

2015-03-31T17:44:10Z

How do I play Truco / Hanafuda / Shougi?

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:44, 31 March 2015
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	==How do I play Truco / Hanafuda / Shougi?==		==How do I play Truco / Hanafuda / Shougi?==
	Like mahjong, there are many online guides. Use your favorite search engine, or try these to get you started: [http://www.pagat.com/put/truco.html Truco], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanafuda Hanafuda], and [http://www.ricoh.~~com/ja~~/SHOGI/rules/erules.html Shougi].		Like mahjong, there are many online guides. Use your favorite search engine, or try these to get you started: [http://www.pagat.com/put/truco.html Truco], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanafuda Hanafuda], and [http://web.archive.org/web/20131203163902/http://www.ricoh.co.jp/SHOGI/rules/erules.html Shougi].

	==Can I build my own arcade cabinet?==		==Can I build my own arcade cabinet?==
	Certainly, depending on your woodworking skills. Instructions, examples, and guidance can be found on [http://www.dmoz.org/Games/Coin-Op/Arcade_Games/Cabinets/Constructing/ Constructing Cabinets] and [http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade.htm Build Your Own Arcade Controls]. There are/were also pre-made cabinets available from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanaho Hanaho Games] and [http://www.dreamarcades.com Dream Arcades].		Certainly, depending on your woodworking skills. Instructions, examples, and guidance can be found on [http://www.dmoz.org/Games/Coin-Op/Arcade_Games/Cabinets/Constructing/ Constructing Cabinets] and [http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade.htm Build Your Own Arcade Controls]. There are/were also pre-made cabinets available from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanaho Hanaho Games] and [http://www.dreamarcades.com Dream Arcades].

Stiletto at 03:36, 25 November 2014

2014-11-25T03:36:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:36, 25 November 2014
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	==How do I play Truco / Hanafuda / Shougi?==		==How do I play Truco / Hanafuda / Shougi?==
	Like mahjong, there are many online guides. Use your favorite search engine, or try these to get you started: [http://www.pagat.com/put/truco.html Truco], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanafuda Hanafuda], and [http://www.ricoh.~~co.jp~~/SHOGI/rules/erules.html Shougi].		Like mahjong, there are many online guides. Use your favorite search engine, or try these to get you started: [http://www.pagat.com/put/truco.html Truco], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanafuda Hanafuda], and [http://www.ricoh.com/ja/SHOGI/rules/erules.html Shougi].

	==Can I build my own arcade cabinet?==		==Can I build my own arcade cabinet?==
	Certainly, depending on your woodworking skills. Instructions, examples, and guidance can be found on [http://www.dmoz.org/Games/Coin-Op/Arcade_Games/Cabinets/Constructing/ Constructing Cabinets] and [http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade.htm Build Your Own Arcade Controls]. There are/were also pre-made cabinets available from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanaho Hanaho Games] and [http://www.dreamarcades.com Dream Arcades].		Certainly, depending on your woodworking skills. Instructions, examples, and guidance can be found on [http://www.dmoz.org/Games/Coin-Op/Arcade_Games/Cabinets/Constructing/ Constructing Cabinets] and [http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade.htm Build Your Own Arcade Controls]. There are/were also pre-made cabinets available from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanaho Hanaho Games] and [http://www.dreamarcades.com Dream Arcades].

Stiletto at 03:28, 25 November 2014

2014-11-25T03:28:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:28, 25 November 2014
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	==What are "custom chips"?==		==What are "custom chips"?==
	Custom chips are chips that were specifically designed by the game manufacturer, usually for one specific hardware system (although that doesn't have to be the case - Konami and Taito both heavily reused their customs across multiple PCBs and systems). These chips are often what gives a game it's special features that make it stand out, in much the same way that the [~~https~~://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amiga Commodore Amiga] was defined largely by the capabilities of it's custom chips.		Custom chips are chips that were specifically designed by the game manufacturer, usually for one specific hardware system (although that doesn't have to be the case - Konami and Taito both heavily reused their customs across multiple PCBs and systems). These chips are often what gives a game it's special features that make it stand out, in much the same way that the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amiga Commodore Amiga] was defined largely by the capabilities of it's custom chips.

	Most typically the graphics hardware of a game is on a custom chip (or an FPGA in the case of newer games), while the CPU, sound, and other hardware are off-the-shelf parts from makers like Motorola, Zilog, or Yamaha. In earlier games, when the technology wasn't yet capable of allowing cheap production of high-powered custom chips, often large arrays of simple logic gates (so-called "74xx-series" chips) were used to perform the same function. Also, while a majority of games used stock audio hardware, Sega, Namco, and Konami all used custom audio processors to try and gain an additional advantage.		Most typically the graphics hardware of a game is on a custom chip (or an FPGA in the case of newer games), while the CPU, sound, and other hardware are off-the-shelf parts from makers like Motorola, Zilog, or Yamaha. In earlier games, when the technology wasn't yet capable of allowing cheap production of high-powered custom chips, often large arrays of simple logic gates (so-called "74xx-series" chips) were used to perform the same function. Also, while a majority of games used stock audio hardware, Sega, Namco, and Konami all used custom audio processors to try and gain an additional advantage.
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	==What are the Mahjong games doing in MAME?==		==What are the Mahjong games doing in MAME?==
	Mahjong is very popular in Japan, so literally dozens (if not hundreds) of mahjong games have been made for [~~https~~://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_domestic_market JDM] consumption. While this may seem strange to people outside of Japan, there are other similar situations in the world of sport. American football, cricket, and rugby each are big sellers in specific countries and largely unheard of elsewhere.		Mahjong is very popular in Japan, so literally dozens (if not hundreds) of mahjong games have been made for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_domestic_market JDM] consumption. While this may seem strange to people outside of Japan, there are other similar situations in the world of sport. American football, cricket, and rugby each are big sellers in specific countries and largely unheard of elsewhere.

	Anyway, mahjong isn't actually too hard to learn, and it can greatly expand your selection of puzzle/strategy type games. Several online guides exist, including [http://web.archive.org/web/20090401210638/http://tokyo.cool.ne.jp/barfhappy/ Introduction to Ma-Jan Video Games] (archived), [http://web.archive.org/web/20071030170201/http://www.sys2064.com/faq/mahjong.txt SYS 2064] (archived), [http://www.japanesemahjong.com Mahjong for Dummies], and [http://mahjonginmame.com Mahjong In MAME], which teaches you Mahjong using MAME and some of the mahjong games it emulates.		Anyway, mahjong isn't actually too hard to learn, and it can greatly expand your selection of puzzle/strategy type games. Several online guides exist, including [http://web.archive.org/web/20090401210638/http://tokyo.cool.ne.jp/barfhappy/ Introduction to Ma-Jan Video Games] (archived), [http://web.archive.org/web/20071030170201/http://www.sys2064.com/faq/mahjong.txt SYS 2064] (archived), [http://www.japanesemahjong.com Mahjong for Dummies], and [http://mahjonginmame.com Mahjong In MAME], which teaches you Mahjong using MAME and some of the mahjong games it emulates.

	==How do I play Truco / Hanafuda / Shougi?==		==How do I play Truco / Hanafuda / Shougi?==
	Like mahjong, there are many online guides. Use your favorite search engine, or try these to get you started: [http://www.pagat.com/put/truco.html Truco], [~~https~~://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanafuda Hanafuda], and [http://www.ricoh.co.jp/SHOGI/rules/erules.html Shougi].		Like mahjong, there are many online guides. Use your favorite search engine, or try these to get you started: [http://www.pagat.com/put/truco.html Truco], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanafuda Hanafuda], and [http://www.ricoh.co.jp/SHOGI/rules/erules.html Shougi].

	==Can I build my own arcade cabinet?==		==Can I build my own arcade cabinet?==
	Certainly, depending on your woodworking skills. Instructions, examples, and guidance can be found on [http://www.dmoz.org/Games/Coin-Op/Arcade_Games/Cabinets/Constructing/ Constructing Cabinets] and [http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade.htm Build Your Own Arcade Controls]. There are/were also pre-made cabinets available from [~~https~~://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanaho Hanaho Games] and [http://www.dreamarcades.com Dream Arcades].		Certainly, depending on your woodworking skills. Instructions, examples, and guidance can be found on [http://www.dmoz.org/Games/Coin-Op/Arcade_Games/Cabinets/Constructing/ Constructing Cabinets] and [http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade.htm Build Your Own Arcade Controls]. There are/were also pre-made cabinets available from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanaho Hanaho Games] and [http://www.dreamarcades.com Dream Arcades].

Stiletto at 02:36, 25 November 2014

2014-11-25T02:36:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:36, 25 November 2014
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	Mahjong is very popular in Japan, so literally dozens (if not hundreds) of mahjong games have been made for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_domestic_market JDM] consumption. While this may seem strange to people outside of Japan, there are other similar situations in the world of sport. American football, cricket, and rugby each are big sellers in specific countries and largely unheard of elsewhere.		Mahjong is very popular in Japan, so literally dozens (if not hundreds) of mahjong games have been made for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_domestic_market JDM] consumption. While this may seem strange to people outside of Japan, there are other similar situations in the world of sport. American football, cricket, and rugby each are big sellers in specific countries and largely unheard of elsewhere.

	Anyway, mahjong isn't actually too hard to learn, and it can greatly expand your selection of puzzle/strategy type games. Several online guides exist, including [http://tokyo.cool.ne.jp/barfhappy/ Introduction to Ma-Jan Video Games], [http://www.sys2064.com/faq/mahjong.txt SYS 2064], [http://www.japanesemahjong.com Mahjong for Dummies], and [http://mahjonginmame.com Mahjong In MAME], which teaches you Mahjong using MAME and some of the mahjong games it emulates.		Anyway, mahjong isn't actually too hard to learn, and it can greatly expand your selection of puzzle/strategy type games. Several online guides exist, including [http://web.archive.org/web/20090401210638/http://tokyo.cool.ne.jp/barfhappy/ Introduction to Ma-Jan Video Games] (archived), [http://web.archive.org/web/20071030170201/http://www.sys2064.com/faq/mahjong.txt SYS 2064] (archived), [http://www.japanesemahjong.com Mahjong for Dummies], and [http://mahjonginmame.com Mahjong In MAME], which teaches you Mahjong using MAME and some of the mahjong games it emulates.

	==How do I play Truco / Hanafuda / Shougi?==		==How do I play Truco / Hanafuda / Shougi?==

Stiletto at 02:28, 25 November 2014

2014-11-25T02:28:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:28, 25 November 2014
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	==Can I build my own arcade cabinet?==		==Can I build my own arcade cabinet?==
	Certainly, depending on your woodworking skills. Instructions, examples, and guidance can be found on [http://~~directory~~.~~google~~.~~com/Top~~/Games/Coin-Op/Arcade_Games/Cabinets/Constructing/ Constructing Cabinets] and [http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade.htm Build Your Own Arcade Controls]. There are also pre-made cabinets available from [~~http~~://~~www~~.~~hanaho~~.~~com~~ Hanaho Games] and [http://www.dreamarcades.com Dream Arcades].		Certainly, depending on your woodworking skills. Instructions, examples, and guidance can be found on [http://www.dmoz.org/Games/Coin-Op/Arcade_Games/Cabinets/Constructing/ Constructing Cabinets] and [http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade.htm Build Your Own Arcade Controls]. There are/were also pre-made cabinets available from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanaho Hanaho Games] and [http://www.dreamarcades.com Dream Arcades].

Stiletto at 02:13, 25 November 2014

2014-11-25T02:13:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:13, 25 November 2014
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	Mahjong is very popular in Japan, so literally dozens (if not hundreds) of mahjong games have been made for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_domestic_market JDM] consumption. While this may seem strange to people outside of Japan, there are other similar situations in the world of sport. American football, cricket, and rugby each are big sellers in specific countries and largely unheard of elsewhere.		Mahjong is very popular in Japan, so literally dozens (if not hundreds) of mahjong games have been made for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_domestic_market JDM] consumption. While this may seem strange to people outside of Japan, there are other similar situations in the world of sport. American football, cricket, and rugby each are big sellers in specific countries and largely unheard of elsewhere.

	Anyway, mahjong isn't actually too hard to learn, and it can greatly expand your selection of puzzle/strategy type games. Several online guides exist, including [http://tokyo.cool.ne.jp/barfhappy/ Introduction to Ma-Jan Video Games], [http://www.sys2064.com/faq/mahjong.txt SYS 2064], [http://~~www16~~.~~brinkster~~.com~~/mahjong/~~ Mahjong for Dummies], and [http://mahjonginmame.com Mahjong In MAME], which teaches you Mahjong using MAME and some of the mahjong games it emulates.		Anyway, mahjong isn't actually too hard to learn, and it can greatly expand your selection of puzzle/strategy type games. Several online guides exist, including [http://tokyo.cool.ne.jp/barfhappy/ Introduction to Ma-Jan Video Games], [http://www.sys2064.com/faq/mahjong.txt SYS 2064], [http://www.japanesemahjong.com Mahjong for Dummies], and [http://mahjonginmame.com Mahjong In MAME], which teaches you Mahjong using MAME and some of the mahjong games it emulates.

	==How do I play Truco / Hanafuda / Shougi?==		==How do I play Truco / Hanafuda / Shougi?==

Stiletto at 01:19, 25 November 2014

2014-11-25T01:19:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:19, 25 November 2014
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	==Can I build my own arcade cabinet?==		==Can I build my own arcade cabinet?==
	Certainly, depending on your woodworking skills. Instructions, examples, and guidance can be found on [http://directory.google.com/Top/Games/Coin-Op/Arcade_Games/Cabinets/Constructing/ Constructing Cabinets] and [http://~~www.~~arcadecontrols.com/ Build Your Own Arcade Controls]. There are also pre-made cabinets available from [http://www.hanaho.com Hanaho Games] and [http://www.dreamarcades.com Dream Arcades].		Certainly, depending on your woodworking skills. Instructions, examples, and guidance can be found on [http://directory.google.com/Top/Games/Coin-Op/Arcade_Games/Cabinets/Constructing/ Constructing Cabinets] and [http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade.htm Build Your Own Arcade Controls]. There are also pre-made cabinets available from [http://www.hanaho.com Hanaho Games] and [http://www.dreamarcades.com Dream Arcades].