Master Database
Overview
The Master Database is a local database I maintain. It is currently not publicly accessible, however I have been looking into ways to host it online. The database was seeded through a complete scrape, via their API, of MobyGames. From there we have added thousands of games not documented on MobyGames. We have also begun to track many fields that are either undocumented, or poorly documented online. This includes all sound card options in games and all possible remote connections (null-modem\serial, IPX, dial-up, NetBios, etc) to name a few.
Publisher and developer data has also been normalized.
Process
The Master database is used along with a database tool to check the XML file against the known master database, as well as the presence of files on disk to ensure everything matches. The tool enables games to be pushed from the database into the xml as well as the ability to create lists of missing or known assets for the games.
Current Database fields
The following fields make up the master eXoDOS table
| Fields List | |
|---|---|
| Field Name | Description |
| eXoID | Unique ID assigned to each game. Format is XXX000000. XXX being a text code for the project. |
| MobyID | MobyGame's unique ID. Only exists for games matched there. |
| Game | Game Name |
| HasProblem | Text field. Notates problem games, with reason. |
| File Name | Game's actual zip name once compressed and archived. |
| Safe Name | Game Name with problematic characters stripped. Used to generate File Name. |
| Year | Release Year. |
| Publisher | Assigned publisher |
| Developer | Assigned Developer |
| Genre | Primary assigned genres. |
| Perspective | Game perspective (unused in LaunchBox) |
| Sub-Genre | Used in Series field within LaunchBox |
| Misc | Misc. information about the game (MobyGames field, not used in LaunchBox) |
| Series | Game series, sub-genres, and other categorizations. |
| URL | URL website game information was sourced from, if any. |
| Des | Game description, assigned to Notes in LaunchBox. |
| Collection | (Y/N) Notes the game is archived in the collection |
| Notes | Internal notes on the game. |
| Compilation? | (Y/N) Notes if a title is a compilation of other titles. If Y, excluded. |
| Foreign? | (Y/N) Notes is a title is unplayable in English. If Y, excluded to a language pack. |
| Add-On Included? | (Y/N) Notes if the entry is an add-on for another game. If so, Y means it is included in the primary entry. |
| Not DOS? | (Y/N) Notes if an entry is not actually a DOS. |
| Folder Name | Launch folder name. |
| Designer | Designer (if different than Developer). |
| Tandy Sound Enabled | Notes if a game has Tandy sound enabled. |
| Uses Adlib or SB? | Notes if the game has support for Adlib or Soundblaster. |
| MT32 Enabled | Notes if a game successfully has MT-32 support enabled. |
| MT32 Support | Notes if a game should have MT-32 support. |
| MPU-401 | Notes game that should have MPU-401 support, and if enabled. |
| SC55 Support | Notes if a game should have SC-55 support. |
| SC55 Enabled | Notes if a game successfully has SC-55 support enabled. |
| RAP-10 | Notes game that should have RAP-10 support, and if enabled. |
| DualOPL2 | Notes game that should have Dual OPL2 support, and if enabled. |
| OPL3 | Notes game that should have OPL3 support, and if enabled. |
| InnovationSound | Notes game that should have Innovation Sound Source support, and if enabled. |
| GUS Option | Notes game that should have Gravis Ultrasound support, and if enabled. |
| 3Dfx Support | Notes game that should have 3Dfx support. |
| 3Dfx Enabled | Notes if a game successfully has 3Dfx support enabled. |
| HasManual | (Y/N) Notes if a game's manual has been found. |
| Save Transfer Setup? | Notes if the game supports Save game transfers to other titles. |
| Min CPU | Notes the Minimum CPU needed. |
| Multiplayer Support? | Notes if a game should have remote multiplayer support, and what type. |
| Multiplayer Options | Notes supposed multiplayer options, eg: hot seat, modem, ipx, null-modem, etc... |
| Multiplayer Game modes | Notes multiplayer modes,. eg: one on one, free for all, etc... |
| Max Players | Derived from the highest number of the next field group. |
| Number Offline Players | Number of offline players a game supports. |
| Number Online Players | Number of online players a game supports. |
| Number Coop Players | Number of co-op players a game supports. |
| Business Model | Commercial or Freeware. |
| Video Modes | Notes supported video modes (CGA, EGA, VGA, VESA, etc...) |
| Joystick Support | Notes if a game should have joystick support. |
| Video Resolution | Notes known supported video resolutions. |
| Input Device | Notes known supported input devices. |
| Printer Support? | Notes if the game has printer support and if it has been enabled. |