Easy Online Multiplayer for your classic games! CloudBox Netplay!

One of the biggest hurdles when considering the use of RetroArch’s amazing Netplay feature is the requirement for all players to have the same versions of the RetroArch application, the core, and the game files. This, along with the learning curve to get everything working inside RetroArch, deters most people from even trying it, which is why it has never been used much.

So I was thinking that with CloudBox, most of these issues are already taken care of—everyone would have the same files. Why not try and get Netplay working in an easy-to-use format?!

The most important part, it needs to be easy for the user!

Using arguments to automatically run a game in host mode using Retroarch I was able to get the "Part One" working, the game session appeared in the public lobby so... PLAYER ONE READY!
Then I had to work on the client part, this was way harder. With a little bit of work I could get the user name, game name and console from the lobby list, but there's no way to auto connect if we don't have all the data from the host 🤔 I was about to give up, a couple of coffees later I learned that there's a way to get from Retroarch the well needed info that allowed me to create a launch routine to automatically start a session as client and connect directly to the game in progress! PLAYER TWO READY!

The tests and results

After all the work, I was finally able to connect as player 2 while testing on the same computer. Later on, I contacted one of my beta tester friends (thank you, ShockBone) and sent him the new CloudBox test build. We were able to play AeroFighters, ISSS, and some other games with great results!

How will this work?

Easy, there will be a new button under "Play Game", this new button is "Play Game - Online Allowed"

This will start the game in host mode and will announce your game in the Retroarch's Lobby, if you have no connectivity issues, You are Player 1 now!

To join a game, you only have to open the options menu (TAB or Gamepad's B button) and you will see a new option called "Show online Lobby - Connect to a Friend"

You will then see the results and the game you want to join should be there, just select it and CloudBox should take care of the rest - You are Player 2 now!

Retroarch provides notifications so you know what's going on at all times.



There's still some missing pieces like, UI adjustments, user names, private lobbies and such, some of them I may not be able to provide or get perfect, but the current experience is already nice to play with your friends or (for singleplayer games) allow people to spectate your gameplay 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This will be available for everyone in a week or so (if everything goes well).
BTW this week I'll post the next update to MyRD, so please stay tuned!

As usual, if you find my work useful 😎 you can invite me a coffee any time! ☕☕☕
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As usual, friendly Reminder:
This application does not host or include any ROMs actual files. I provide this app without warranty, and its operation is dependent on the continued public availability and security configuration of the public servers that provide the files. Should the server's status change, the app may cease to function. Enjoy it while it lasts!