FAQ

What are the eXo projects?

Currently, the eXo projects consist of eXoDOS, eXoWin3x, eXoScummVM, eXoDREAMM, eXoAppleIIGS, eXoDemoScene, and the RLP (Retro Learning Pack). The projects are focused on the preservation of games & media, for their respective platforms, via playability. The projects seek original copies of games when possible and present them in an easy-to-enjoy format.

How do I get one of the eXo projects?

You may download it via torrent or via wget (http). Considering the size of these packages, the torrent method is suggested. A ratio-free torrent of every project is available on each project's respective page.

Why do some games not have cover art?

Cover art is included for all games that were released in a box, folder, or sleeve of some kind. Many games were simply released digitally, however, such as your typical shareware game. As these games did not have a "cover," there is no cover to scan. Registered users of LaunchBox have the option to replace the missing images with the title or screenshot included with each game.

What is LaunchBox? Can I use a different front end?

LaunchBox is a front end that allows easy browsing of the games and their metadata. It has been chosen due to its wide variety of features that are available in its free version. Registering LaunchBox is not necessary to use it with eXoDOS, however, registered users do gain the benefit of some extra features, primarily in the form of "BigBox" mode. More information about this can be found on their website.

It is possible to use a different front end by pointing it to the launch batch files as "roms" and simply telling it to run the files straight. However, all of the metadata (year, genre, publisher developer, scanned art, manuals, etc.) will have to be manually exported from the LaunchBox xml and folders and added to your front end of choice. At this time, we do not have any exporters to automate this process.

Why are the projects so big? Can't I just get some of the games instead of all of them?

eXoDOS is over 600GB which, while large for a typical platform game set, is relatively small when you consider it spans games over two decades. Imagine every console from the Atari 2600 through the PS1 being in a single set, and you have your explanation.

If you do not want to download the entire pack, a lite version is available for some of the projects. This allows you to download just the metadata for all of the games. The first time you attempt to launch a game, it will detect that you do not have it and prompt you to download it. It downloads the game using a command-line based torrent client, which is supported by those who are seeding the full project. If you run into issues with this, you likely need to look into forwarding your ports.

What if I think I have a game you are missing?

Step 1: Is the game DOOM?

Step 2: If so, please leave me alone. ;)

Seriously though, a majority of game submission suggestions are of games we already have in the pack. Either due to regional name differences or simply the sheer fact there are so many games in the pack, many times the obvious ones are overlooked. Please search the game title *within* LaunchBox. Alternate & regional titles of each game are stored in the database. That way, if you think Broken Sword is missing from the pack, a quick search will show you that it is under its U.S. release title, Circle of Blood.

Can I merge an eXo project into my existing launchbox install? Can I merge multiple eXo projects into the same LaunchBox install?

Yes! And it is quite easy. Visit our YouTube page for an instructional video, or follow these steps:

1. Ensure the project has been installed by running the SETUP.bat file.
2. Copy the following folders to your target LaunchBox folder from your project folder:

.\eXo\
.\Images\
.\Manuals\
.\Plugins\
.\xml\
.\data\Platforms\
.\data\Playlists\

1. Copy the following file to your target LaunchBox folder from your project folder:

\data\Parents.xml

1. When you start LaunchBox, please allow it to update.
2. You should now have your eXo projects merged together or merged with your parent LaunchBox folder.

For further help, please visit our help and support channel on the project's Discord server.

Are there DATs available for the projects?

DATs are a product of ROM distribution, designed to assist in joining a download with as much existing data as possible. Unfortunately, computer games are very different from ROMs in multiple ways, creating a problem when it comes to using DAT files.

DAT files are based on the idea of a common version of a game existing. The following list covers many of the reasons there is no common version of computer games:

1. Computer games were often released on multiple mediums. Each could have slight differences.
2. Standard variations such as versions, regional variants, languages, etc...
3. Computer games change state when installed.
4. During install, unique configuration files are created.
5. Many games' original files have been modified over the years, either during the time they were ripped (new dates) or after they were installed (cracks).
6. eXo Projects do not use TorrentZip, due to the fact that it changes the internal date and time of the files.

With all of this said, it would essentially be impossible to join any eXo project with existing data. The files would have to be the same game release, with the same patches, installed to the same folder name, with the same configuration files, and the same cracks, with the original media named the same and in the same folder. The chances of all of that are practically zero.

And if one wants to join with existing data, the lack of TorrentZip support means that any change at all to the files will result in an entirely new compressed file, which defeats the point of the DAT in the first place.

Can I run the projects from a network drive?

Maybe. This really just depends on your network. We have had several users try this and claim it is unworkable, as the transfer time for the larger CD-based games is so slow that it causes massive stuttering.

However, we have had a handful of users report success in doing this. On our Discord is a pinned message with step-by-step instructions provided by one of our members that has worked for some people.