❗ Problem For some games, local playtime tracking may be less accurate than playtime tracked by an external service. LaunchBox already benefits from using external playtime data where available, such as Steam playtime. RetroAchievements now exposes user playtime data for supported games, which could provide a more accurate playtime source for retro games played through supported emulators. 💡 Proposal Add an option to use RetroAchievements playtime as a playtime source for matched games. When a user has connected their RetroAchievements account, LaunchBox could check supported games and update playtime using RetroAchievements data where available. This could apply to: Games linked to RetroAchievements entries Games with matching RetroAchievements achievement sets Games launched through supported emulators Library views and filters that use playtime 🧩 Use Cases Keep retro game playtime accurate across emulator sessions Reflect playtime earned outside of LaunchBox when using the same RetroAchievements account Improve playtime tracking for users who rely heavily on RetroAchievements Make playtime-based sorting and filtering more accurate for retro libraries 📦 Benefits More accurate playtime for RetroAchievements-supported games Better consistency across devices and emulator sessions Makes existing RetroAchievements integration more useful Improves playtime-based library organization ⚠️ Considerations This should be optional, since some users may prefer LaunchBox’s local playtime tracking. Syncing should also respect RetroAchievements API limits and avoid excessive requests, likely by caching results and refreshing playtime on a schedule or after gameplay.

AstroBob about 20 hours ago

LaunchBox for Windows

📋 Summary Add autocomplete support when typing into multi-select metadata fields such as Genre, Series, and supported custom fields. ❗ Problem Some metadata fields can contain long lists of existing values. When editing game metadata, users may need to scroll or type exact values manually, which can slow down bulk editing and increase the chance of inconsistent entries. For example, typing rac should quickly suggest or jump to Racing instead of requiring the user to find it manually. 💡 Proposal Improve multi-select metadata fields so typing filters and suggests matching existing values. This could include: Showing matching values as the user types Highlighting the best match Allowing Enter or Tab to accept the suggestion Supporting partial matches, such as rac for Racing Applying the same behavior to Genre, Series, and similar multi-select/custom fields 🧩 Use Cases Quickly add Racing to several games Select a Series without scrolling through a long list Reuse existing custom field values consistently Speed up metadata cleanup for large libraries 📦 Benefits Faster metadata editing Less scrolling through long value lists Reduces duplicate or inconsistent values Improves usability for large libraries ⚠️ Considerations Autocomplete should clearly distinguish between selecting an existing value and creating a new one where custom values are allowed.

GodElite 3 days ago

2

LaunchBox for Windows

This is part 2 of a 2 part request: Part 1: @Add Saved Android Export Profiles 📋 Summary Add an advanced Android device profile system that can sync only new, changed, or missing games and media to a connected Android device. ❗ Problem Android exports currently work more like one-time packages. Even if a user has already exported to the same Android device before, future exports may require rebuilding or re-copying more data than necessary. This is especially frustrating for users with large libraries or multiple Android devices, where each device may use different platforms, media selections, and storage limits. 💡 Proposal Add Android device profiles that can be linked to a specific Android device or export location. Each profile could define: Included platforms Favorites-only options Archive extraction options Additional version options Media types to sync Destination device or folder Last sync date Last known exported content When the device or export location is connected, LaunchBox could compare the saved profile against the current library and sync only what has changed. This could include: New games added to included platforms Removed games that should no longer be present Updated metadata New or changed media Missing files from a previous sync 🧩 Use Cases Keep an NVIDIA Shield TV updated without rebuilding the full export Sync a smaller handheld profile with only selected platforms and media Add new games on desktop, then quickly push only those changes to Android Repair an Android export by replacing missing media or metadata Maintain different Android devices from one LaunchBox library 📦 Benefits Makes Android exports much faster after the first sync Reduces unnecessary file copying Improves support for users with multiple Android devices Makes Android integration feel more like device management than manual exporting Builds naturally on saved Android export profiles ⚠️ Considerations This should be treated as a follow-up to saved Android export profiles rather than the first version. The initial profile system should establish reusable export settings, while this request adds device-aware incremental sync behavior on top of that. Care should be taken around deleted games, renamed files, changed media, and disconnected or moved export folders so users can review sync changes before they are applied.

AstroBob 4 days ago

LaunchBox for Android

📋 Summary Add an optional way for LaunchBox Games Database contributors to create a shareable showcase page of their approved media submissions. ❗ Problem Media submissions to the LaunchBox Games Database are anonymous, which is valuable for privacy and should remain the default. However, some users work together on community media projects, such as clear logos, translated logos, fan translation artwork, or other curated media sets. When recruiting collaborators, it can be difficult to show examples of approved work without manually finding and sharing old local files. 💡 Proposal Allow users to opt in to a public contributor showcase page that displays their approved media submissions. The showcase could include: Approved images submitted by the user Game title and platform Media type, such as Clear Logo, Box Front, Screenshot, etc. Optional filtering by media type or platform A shareable public link A profile setting to enable, disable, or hide the showcase at any time By default, submissions should remain anonymous unless the user explicitly chooses to make their approved media visible on their showcase page. 🧩 Use Cases Share examples of logo work before joining a community project Browse a contributor’s approved media submissions Recruit artists for themed media projects Avoid manually digging through old local files to find examples 📦 Benefits Helps community media projects organize and recruit contributors Gives contributors an optional way to showcase their work Preserves anonymous submissions by default Makes approved media easier to reference and share ⚠️ Considerations This should be fully opt-in, with clear privacy controls. Users should be able to disable their showcase or hide specific items if needed.

SMASHINGblargharghar 5 days ago

3

LaunchBox Games Database

📋 Summary Add a new Timeline View that lets users browse their game library chronologically by release date. ❗ Problem LaunchBox can sort and arrange games by release date, but there is not currently a dedicated way to explore a library as a historical timeline. Users who enjoy seeing the evolution of games, platforms, genres, series, or publishers may want a more visual way to browse their collection across years and eras. 💡 Proposal Introduce a Timeline View that displays games along a chronological timeline based on release date. The view could group games by: Decade Year Month, when available Platform era Console generation Users could scroll through time and see which games were released in each period. The timeline should work like other LaunchBox views, allowing users to apply filters such as platform, genre, series, playlist, publisher, developer, favorites, completed status, or custom fields. 🧩 Display Ideas Timeline entries could appear as: Horizontal or vertical chronological rows Year-based sections with game covers A zoomable timeline that can move between decades, years, and months Compact mode for large libraries Cover-focused mode for visual browsing Selecting a game would show normal game details and launch options, just like other views. 🧩 Use Cases Browse the history of a platform from oldest to newest See how a series evolved over time Explore games released in a specific year or console generation View a playlist as a historical timeline Discover older games that are easy to miss in normal library views 📦 Benefits Adds a new historical way to explore a library Makes release date metadata more useful Improves discovery in large collections Works naturally with playlists and filters Creates a more museum-like browsing experience for game history fans ⚠️ Considerations Games with missing or incomplete release dates should be handled gracefully, such as placing them in an “Unknown Release Date” section. The view should also support large libraries without becoming difficult to navigate.

AstroBob 11 days ago

LaunchBox for Windows

This is the 1st part of a 2 part request: Part 2: @Add Incremental Sync for Android Device Profiles 📋 Summary Add saved Android export profiles so users can reuse export configurations for different Android devices. ❗ Problem Exporting to Android currently requires users to configure the export each time. This becomes repetitive for users with multiple Android devices, especially when each device needs different platforms, media types, or export options. 💡 Proposal Add a Manage Android Export Profiles section where users can create named export profiles for each device. Each profile could remember: Selected platforms Favorites-only options Extract archive options Additional version options Selected media types Export package folder Last exported date Users could then run an Android export from a saved profile instead of starting from scratch each time. 🧩 Use Cases Export a large setup for an NVIDIA Shield TV Export a smaller handheld-friendly setup for a Retroid Pocket Use different media selections depending on device storage Quickly rerun the same Android export after adding new games 📦 Benefits Saves time on repeat Android exports Makes multi-device Android setups easier to manage Reduces mistakes from manually reselecting options Creates a foundation for future update/sync workflows ⚠️ Considerations Version 1 should focus on saving and reusing export settings. A later version could add true update behavior, such as exporting only new or changed games and media.

AstroBob 13 days ago

LaunchBox for Android

📋 Summary Show whether leaderboard games are installed in the user’s local library and allow installed games to be launched directly from the Big Box leaderboard screen. ❗ Problem When browsing global high score leaderboards in Big Box, users may find a game they want to play immediately. Currently, they need to leave the leaderboard screen, search for the game in their library, and launch it separately. 💡 Proposal Add two improvements to Big Box leaderboards: A clear installed/available indicator for games already in the local LaunchBox library A direct Play Game action for installed games This would let users move from viewing a leaderboard challenge to launching the game with minimal friction. 🧩 Use Cases See whether a leaderboard game is already available locally Launch an installed game directly from its leaderboard entry Quickly attempt to beat a high score after viewing rankings Browse leaderboards as a way to discover what to play next 📦 Benefits Smoother leaderboard-to-game flow Better use of leaderboards as a play discovery tool Fewer steps for competitive players More engaging Big Box experience ⚠️ Considerations The launch action should only appear when LaunchBox can confidently match the leaderboard game to an installed local game.

Mike Nelson 13 days ago

4

LaunchBox for Windows

📋 Summary Add an option to keep the selection rail visible in the main game view instead of only showing it on hover. ❗ Problem The new selection rail is useful for quickly jumping through games based on the current “Arrange By” setting, such as jumping to a letter when arranged by title. However, requiring the user to hover in a specific area before the rail appears can feel clunky, especially for users who rely on it frequently. 💡 Proposal Add a setting to always show the selection rail in the main game view. Users who prefer the current cleaner layout could keep the hover behavior, while users who want faster access could enable the rail permanently. 🧩 Use Cases Quickly jump to a letter when arranged by title Keep navigation controls visible in large libraries Reduce extra mouse movement when browsing Make the rail easier to discover and use 📦 Benefits Improves usability for large collections Makes the selection rail more accessible Gives users more control over the main view layout Reduces friction for frequent rail users ⚠️ Considerations This should be optional so users who prefer a cleaner interface can keep the current hover-based behavior.

Retrofrogg 19 days ago

2

LaunchBox for Windows

📋 Summary Improve LaunchBox behavior when a drive runs out of space during imports, media downloads, or file updates. ❗ Problem If a drive becomes full while LaunchBox is downloading artwork or updating files, users may see an error and be unsure how to recover. This can be especially confusing for less technical users who later move or clone their library to a larger drive but do not know whether LaunchBox can continue normally. 💡 Proposal When LaunchBox detects that storage is full, provide clearer recovery options and guidance. This could include: A clear “drive is full” message The affected folder or drive path A retry option after space is freed Guidance to free space or move the library/media folder Better handling of incomplete media downloads 🧩 Use Cases A user runs out of space while downloading game artwork A user moves their LaunchBox setup to a larger drive A user wants to retry failed downloads after freeing space A less technical user needs clearer instructions on what went wrong 📦 Benefits Reduces confusion after storage-related errors Helps users recover failed downloads Prevents LaunchBox from feeling broken after a full-drive issue Improves reliability for large libraries ⚠️ Considerations LaunchBox should not attempt to resize drives or partitions itself, but it can provide clearer messaging and recovery tools when storage problems occur.

stephenslaunchbox2025 21 days ago

3

LaunchBox for Windows

📋 Summary Add support for managing a local folder of game installers and compressed game packages within LaunchBox. ❗ Problem Some users keep offline backups of PC game installers, DRM-free games, homebrew games, or compressed game packages in local folders. LaunchBox can manage installed games well, but it does not currently act like a local storefront where users can browse, install, launch, and manage games from installer files stored on their own drives. 💡 Proposal Allow users to choose one or more local folders for LaunchBox to scan for game installers or compressed packages. Initial support could focus on simpler cases, such as: Single-file installers like.exe or.msi Compressed games such as.zip,.7z, or.rar Basic filename matching to identify games Running the installer or extracting the package Letting the user confirm the installed game folder and launch executable Later improvements could add better installer detection, multi-file installer support, uninstall handling, and smarter game matching. 🧩 Use Cases Manage DRM-free installer backups from a local drive Import homebrew or fan games distributed as archives Reinstall games without manually browsing folders Keep offline PC game collections organized inside LaunchBox 📦 Benefits Makes LaunchBox more useful for local PC game collections Helps users manage installer backups Reduces manual setup after installing or extracting games Provides a foundation for more advanced local library management later ⚠️ Considerations Save syncing, AI-assisted detection, cloud storefront support, and community-maintained save paths should likely be separate follow-up requests because they significantly increase complexity.

GameTag 24 days ago

2

LaunchBox for Windows

📋 Summary Add support for linking related game images together as matched packaging sets in LaunchBox and the LaunchBox Games Database. ❗ Problem Some games have multiple official box variants within the same region, such as original releases, Greatest Hits, Player’s Choice, or other re-release packaging. When multiple fronts, backs, and spines exist for the same game, LaunchBox may combine images from different variants when displaying box art or generating 3D boxes. For example, an original front cover could be paired with a Player’s Choice spine or back cover. 💡 Proposal Allow images in the Games Database to be grouped into named or numbered sets. Example: Set 1: Original release front, back, and spine Set 2: Player’s Choice front, back, and spine LaunchBox could then use images from the same set when displaying related artwork or building 3D box views. 🧩 Use Cases Keep original release box images together Keep re-release box images together Avoid mismatched front, back, and spine artwork Improve accuracy for 3D box presentation 📦 Benefits More accurate box art matching Better 3D box results Cleaner Games Database organization Improved preservation of different official packaging variants ⚠️ Considerations The database would need a simple way for contributors or moderators to assign images to the correct set without making image submission too complicated.

HanzJWeasel 26 days ago

2

LaunchBox Games Database

📋 Summary Add an option to sort games alphabetically within grouped Arrange By sections. ❗ Problem Some Arrange By options group games into sections, such as Star Rating or Release Year. When these groups are created, users may still want the games inside each section to be sorted alphabetically by title. Without this, grouped views can feel harder to browse, especially in large libraries. 💡 Proposal Add an option to sort games alphabetically within each Arrange By group. For example: Arrange By: Star Rating Groups: 5 Stars, 4 Stars, 3 Stars Games inside each group: sorted A-Z by title This could apply to grouped Arrange By views such as star rating, release year, and other similar categories. 🧩 Use Cases Browse 5-star games alphabetically View games by release year while keeping each year easy to scan Restore a preferred browsing style for users who liked the previous behavior 📦 Benefits Makes grouped views easier to navigate Improves browsing for large libraries Gives users more control over sorting behavior Preserves flexibility for different library organization preferences ⚠️ Considerations This should likely be an optional secondary sort setting so users who prefer the current behavior can keep it.

Parse9 about 1 month ago

3

LaunchBox for Windows

📋 Summary Improve ROM import title detection by filtering common filename tags before matching games to metadata. ❗ Problem Some ROM filenames include extra information that is not part of the actual game title. Examples: 7th Sector [01004B200DF76000] incl v1.0.2.xci 88 Heroes 98 Heroes Edition [010006A0042F0000] + (v65536 UPD) During import, LaunchBox may treat parts like incl v1.0.2, +, title IDs, or update labels as part of the game name. This can cause incorrect titles and failed metadata matches. 💡 Proposal Improve ROM filename parsing to ignore common non-title metadata during import. Examples of text to filter could include: Title IDs in brackets Version/update labels UPD, Update, or patch indicators incl v... style text Standalone symbols like + when used as separators Other common ROM release tags LaunchBox should use the cleaned title for metadata matching while still preserving the original filename. 🧩 Use Cases Import Switch ROMs with title IDs and update labels Improve metadata matching for ROM sets with release-group style naming Reduce manual title cleanup after import Prevent games from being skipped or unmatched due to filename clutter 📦 Benefits Better automatic metadata matching Less manual cleanup after importing Smoother import experience for modern ROM collections More accurate game titles in the library ⚠️ Considerations Filename cleanup should be conservative so valid game titles are not accidentally changed. Ideally, users could review or edit detected titles before finalizing the import.

Mighty_Richman about 1 month ago

2

LaunchBox for Windows

I have 2 screens, and would love big box running on my second screen while I have something else open on my first screen. Big box stays open, but the screen is frozen. can this be changed?

feo75555 about 1 month ago

1

LaunchBox for Windows

📋 Summary Allow users to customize LaunchBox’s existing keyboard shortcuts from Options. ❗ Problem Current LaunchBox system shortcuts are fixed and may conflict with other software, feel inconvenient, or be difficult to use with certain keyboard layouts. 💡 Proposal Add a Keyboard Shortcuts page where users can: Change or disable existing shortcuts See warnings for conflicting assignments Restore individual shortcuts or reset all defaults 🧩 Use Cases Resolve conflicts with other applications Choose easier-to-remember combinations Adapt shortcuts for different keyboard layouts 📦 Benefits More flexible and accessible controls Fewer accidental activations and conflicts A quicker workflow tailored to each user

AstroBob about 1 month ago

LaunchBox for Windows

📋 Summary Add an official way for plugins to cancel a game launch before it begins. ❗ Problem Plugin developers can currently respond to game launch events, but there is no clear supported way to stop a launch from continuing. This forces developers to rely on unsafe workarounds, such as temporarily changing launch settings or redirecting the launch to a dummy application. These workarounds can be fragile and may risk altering a user’s emulator or game configuration. 💡 Proposal Add a supported launch cancellation option to the plugin API. When a plugin runs before a game or additional app launches, it should be able to safely cancel that launch and optionally provide a reason that can be shown to the user. 🧩 Use Cases A plugin blocks launching when required files are missing A plugin prevents launch until a custom confirmation prompt is accepted A parental control or playtime plugin cancels launches based on rules A plugin checks dependencies before allowing an emulator to start 📦 Benefits Makes launch-related plugins safer Prevents accidental changes to emulator or game configuration Gives plugin developers a clean supported workflow Improves reliability for custom launch validation tools Helps users understand why a launch was stopped ⚠️ Considerations The cancellation design should avoid breaking existing plugins. It may be better to add a new cancellable launch event or launch arguments object rather than changing existing plugin behavior directly. Cancellation should work consistently in both LaunchBox and Big Box.

stigzler about 1 month ago

2

LaunchBox for Windows

📋 Summary Add an estimated total download size to the media download wizard so users can see how much disk space selected media will require before downloading. ❗ Problem When downloading media for games, users can select many image and video types, but there is no clear indication of how large the download will be. This can cause issues because: Large media downloads can consume significant disk space Users may not know the impact of selecting videos, high quality images, or multiple media types Downloads can be started without realizing the required storage space Users with limited drives may need to cancel or manually clean up afterward 💡 Proposal Display file size information in the media download wizard: Show the estimated total size of all selected media Optionally break down size by media type, such as: Images Videos Manuals Music Update the estimate as users change their selections Warn users if the download may exceed available disk space 🧩 Use Cases A user sees that selecting videos will add several gigabytes before starting A user with limited storage adjusts media selections to stay within available space A user compares image only vs image plus video download sizes Large collection imports become easier to plan 📦 Benefits Helps users manage disk space more effectively Prevents unexpected large downloads Improves transparency in the media download process Reduces cancelled downloads and post-download cleanup ⚠️ Considerations File sizes may need to be estimated before download Estimates should clearly be marked as approximate if exact sizes are unavailable Available disk space checks could be added as an optional enhancement

AVissie about 1 month ago

1

LaunchBox for Windows

📋 Summary Improve LaunchBox startup responsiveness by deferring more non-essential systems until after the main interface is usable. ❗ Problem LaunchBox can take longer to start on large or complex setups, especially when many systems, media files, plugins, or online services are involved. When too much work happens before the UI appears, users may feel like LaunchBox is frozen or stuck, even if it is still loading in the background. 💡 Proposal Load only the core data needed to show the main interface first, then continue loading secondary systems in the background. Potential candidates for deferred loading could include: Media caches Non-visible views or panels Related games or discovery data Online service checks Plugin initialization where safe Optional background services 🧩 Use Cases Large libraries reach the main interface faster Users can begin browsing before every secondary system is ready Background loading remains visible after startup Slow startup components become easier to identify 📦 Benefits Faster perceived startup time Fewer cases where LaunchBox appears frozen Better experience for large libraries More modern and responsive startup behavior ⚠️ Considerations Some features may need to remain temporarily unavailable until their background loading completes. Startup messaging should also clearly show what is still loading.

slacker24l7 about 2 months ago

2

LaunchBox for Windows

📋 Summary Add Sega Lindbergh as a platform within LaunchBox and the LaunchBox Games Database. ❗ Problem The Sega Lindbergh platform has become increasingly relevant to emulation enthusiasts following the release and continued development of the Lindbergh Loader project for Windows. Currently: Users must manually create the platform in LaunchBox Games are typically categorized under the generic Arcade platform Metadata and media management is less organized than dedicated arcade hardware platforms There is no standard platform entry for users to contribute to or scrape against As support and compatibility improve, more users are beginning to add Sega Lindbergh titles to their collections. 💡 Proposal Add Sega Lindbergh as an official platform in LaunchBox and the Games Database. This would allow: Dedicated platform metadata Platform-specific media Consistent organization across user collections Easier contribution and moderation of Lindbergh titles Where appropriate, existing Lindbergh games currently categorized under Arcade could be reviewed and reassigned to the Sega Lindbergh platform. 📦 Benefits Improves organization of modern arcade hardware platforms Provides consistency across LaunchBox collections Makes media and metadata management easier Reduces reliance on generic Arcade categorization Supports the growing interest in Sega Lindbergh emulation ⚠️ Considerations Existing Arcade entries may need review to determine whether they should remain under Arcade or move to Sega Lindbergh Platform naming should align with existing LaunchBox platform standards Platform icons, clear logos, and metadata would need to be added to support the new platform

stonev about 2 months ago

2

LaunchBox Games Database