Why is it some Dolphin versions run better then others ?

[Aussieguy]

You would think updating to the latest release of Dolphin for each platform would be best, but its not for some reason.

Some versions crash, some play games worse then previously, why is that ? I thought when i new version comes out, games would continually improve performance wise and compatibility wise, but its not the case.

I mean, whats the use in bringing out a new version if its performance is worse instead of better ?

[mstreurman]

First of all:
Android works (completely) different from Windows/linux/Mac because it uses a different architecture (ARM vs x86_64) on top of that it also uses a different type of GPU api (GLeS or Vulkan vs OGL or Vulkan) and has its own drivers (which are not user updateable) which leads to incompatibilities with newer versions of Dolphin when the devs add something that increases performance on ARM but only on newer drivers because that instruction isn't Available in an older one.

Secondly:
Dolphin doesn't necessarily focus on performance they focus on accuracy, this means that in some versions something new is emulated which hasn't been fully optimized yet which can cause slowdowns but fixes a lot of bugs or adds new enhancement possibilities.

Finally:
There just aren't that many developers for Android compared for the Windows/Linux (and to some extent Mac) OS. This means that Android has been an underdog for a long time and is only now catching up, another thing is that Android devices in general are still waaay to slow to effectively emulate GameCube/Wii without resorting to potentially gamebreaking hacks. Thus most developers don't even bother until the devices start to become fast enough.

Hope this somewhat answers your question.

[Aussieguy]

(01-10-2020, 10:37 PM)mstreurman Wrote: First of all:
Android works (completely) different from Windows/linux/Mac because it uses a different architecture (ARM vs x86_64) on top of that it also uses a different type of GPU api (GLeS or Vulkan vs OGL or Vulkan) and has its own drivers (which are not user updateable) which leads to incompatibilities with newer versions of Dolphin when the devs add something that increases performance on ARM but only on newer drivers because that instruction isn't Available in an older one.

Secondly:
Dolphin doesn't necessarily focus on performance they focus on accuracy, this means that in some versions something new is emulated which hasn't been fully optimized yet which can cause slowdowns but fixes a lot of bugs or adds new enhancement possibilities.

Finally:
There just aren't that many developers for Android compared for the Windows/Linux (and to some extent Mac) OS. This means that Android has been an underdog for a long time and is only now catching up, another thing is that Android devices in general are still waaay to slow to effectively emulate GameCube/Wii without resorting to potentially gamebreaking hacks. Thus most developers don't even bother until the devices start to become fast enough.

Hope this somewhat answers your question.

Yeah thanks for that. So if you own an older Android device, your basically stuck with the best there is now, because chances are nothing new will come out for it ?

I got a Nvidia shield tv (and thought it was a popular device) and I know its fairly old now, but its a really good machine and would be nice if someone updated Dolphin for this. But i can probably understand why they wouldnt (unless one of the devs owned one) when newer tech keeps coming out all the time. I just dont understand why people would play emulators on their phones when the batteries die so fast.

Nvidia shield tv is basically the best all in one device that you can hook up to your tv IMO (and has no battery, so can play it as long as you want) in such a small little box.

[Helios]

Dolphin is updated for Android for every PR merged to master, automatically. The play store gets updated roughly once every month or two (syncs with the progress report)

We have nobody actively working on Android right now though. Sometimes we get some java devs to dig in and implement a few UI features though.

[Aggro_hamtaro]

Well running games like Mario Galaxy really isn't impossible on ARM devices, NVIDIA released lots of WII games for their shield console in the Chinese market. It is to assume that they are using a very advanced emulator.



https://youtu.be/bTqdFTIPHMQ


Pretty impressive, would be nice if we somehow could get our hands on that emulator. Not necessarily impossible since it happened with Sony and their PSX emulator on the Psp in the past too.

[Aussieguy]

I reckon the shield tv is the best device currently available for all emulators that hooks up to a tv (besides a pc) and it can run wii and gamecube games perfectly if the right programmer gets their hands on it. As i heard Nintendo ported 4 wii games to the Nvidia shield tv in China.

Shame they didnt do it for a worldwide release, but i know the shield tv is powerful enough to run these games, just wish one of the Dolphin devs had a shield tv though.

If i was rich enough i would buy yous one for sure.

[Helios]

Getting the hardware isn't an issue. The issue is interest.

We have funds to buy established and regular Dolphin devs hardware they need, but that also saddles them with obligation, which nobody has expressed interest in right now.

Sorry

[Aussieguy]

(01-12-2020, 06:31 AM)Helios Wrote: Getting the hardware isn't an issue. The issue is interest.

We have funds to buy established and regular Dolphin devs hardware they need, but that also saddles them with obligation, which nobody has expressed interest in right now.

Sorry

Thats ok, its not your fault if your not interested in the same things as me. Can i ask do you get payed to develop for Dolphin or just do it in your spare time ?

Also, do you play emulators at all, if so, do you play them on PC ?

[JosJuice]

(01-13-2020, 02:32 AM)Aussieguy Wrote: Can i ask do you get payed to develop for Dolphin or just do it in your spare time ?

Nobody gets paid to work on Dolphin.

[Aussieguy]

(01-13-2020, 02:37 AM)JosJuice Wrote: Nobody gets paid to work on Dolphin.

So yous just do it for fun ? Wow, thats pretty nice of yous and to share your work.