Commodore Pack RC3 is out!

Heya pixel lovers! Easter is coming, so I decided to drop some EASTER EGGS and dutiful hotfixes. Without further esitations, let me introduce...

Mega Bezel Commodore Pack RC3 (April 16th, 2022)

Download link
New release for public testing, adding lots of blocky memories with Commodore64 and VIC20 packs. HAPPY EASTER BONUS: Amiga 1000 ambient preset and c264-series Commodore16.

Content:

• Added COMMODORE 64 Silver label presets and original assets, the first model
• Added COMMODORE 64 Breadbin presets and original assets, the real classic
• Added COMMODORE 64 ALDI presets and original assets, cheap consumer edition
• Added COMMODORE 64 DreanComm presets and original assets, with extra argentine flavor
• Added COMMODORE 64 G Series presets and original assets, with additional german taste
• Added VIC20 Gold label presets and original assets, first revision collector edition
• Added VIC20 Mark2 presets and original assets, the most widespread model
• Added VIC20 Mark3 presets and original assets, rainbow logo edition for Europe, Canada and Australia
• Added VIC-1001 presets and original assets, first Japan-only edition
• BONUS: Added AMIGA 1000 presets and original assets with a new experimental 'ambient design'
• BONUS: Added Commodore 16 presets and original assets, from c264-series

Features:

• Added CURVED bezel presets to each display
• Added FLAT bezel presets to each display
• Added NORMAL SCALING presets, full display chassis visible
• Added INTEGER SCALING preset, automatic display zoom for cleanest pixels and less artifacts

Enhancements:

• Revamped MEGA BEZELS presets for much nicer depth, realistic lightning and customized decals
• Revamped DISPLAY presets for much nicer depth and better reflections
• Refactored DISPLAY preset names for a clear separation of presets variations
• Refactored FOLDER STRUCTURE for incoming future features ;)
• Updated BEZELTRON CRT-SERIES presets and assets in favor of real-life brands
• Updated LO-FI MONOCHROME presets with tube texture to mimic phosphor surface
• Updated LICENSE and WATERMARKS to Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 because of bad guys stealing my assets without permission

Fixes:

• Updated MEGA BEZEL REFLECTION SHADER presets parameters to latest public MBR shader version
• Updated AMIGA CD32 led assets for proper YELLOW cd-drive indicator
• Updated MONITOR C1702 PRESETS NAMES typo C1072 -> C1702
• Updated MONOCHROME PRESETS with better brightness, wider contrast and a subtle 'matheric' texture
• Removed PERFORMANCE PRESETS as they are no longer needed (thanks to graphics caching)

Just 4k for now, the 1080p edition will follow soon.

Question time

What's cool about latest Release Candidate?

Oh, lots of much anticipated Commodore goodies. Commodore 64 being one of the most requested features, I had to go deep in researches and build many regional and historical variants beyond the classic BREADBIN model. :nerd_face:

The same process went on for Datassette and VIC20, and the little Commodore16 from the x264 series. The share a pretty similiar chassis, speeding up the design process. But hey, this required lots of logos to be customized! :grin:

I highly doubt anybody will ever emulate a VIC20 game in Retroarch, but that was a pretty interesting journey in memory preservation... and Commodore 16 being slick black is simply TOO COOL.

I also added some features to enhance visuals: a more CRT-like color correction from my incoming custom shaders, NTSC variants from almighty @guest.r, flat/curved variants for displays and integer scaling to reduce bad artifacts. Levels of zoom, being 'near' and 'normal', will let you decide how far from the simulated screen will your face be. :dizzy_face:

Is Mega Bezel Commodore Pack complete?

Nope, hence the Release Candidate tag.

I'd like to add more Amiga, Commodore 64, VIC20 and Commodore 264 series variations and data units. I'm pretty torn about pc-looking A1500, A2000, A3000, A4000. I already acquired references for these and will update as soon as I complete the visual shaders overhaul 🤞

What's going on with the CRTgaming thing about PVM/BVM?

Lots of things are moving under the hood.

As visual permutations for CRT TECHS (dot-mask, slot-mask, aperture grille, plasma), SIGNALS (RGB/SCART, S-VIDEO, COMPONENT, RF MODULATOR) and FLAVOURS (smooth, sharp, soft, more monochromes) was taking a bit too long, I decided to give some love to the Commodore Suite.

Complexity of output is the real problem here: at the current status, permutations lead to over 200.000 presets, making Github management pretty difficult. I had to stop the very moment I tried to do a commit and my HDD failed while trying to calculate diffs... nothing is lost, but I need to work smarter.

I need a script for presets generation!

That's all folks, happy easter everybody!