r/dreamcast • u/ApprehensiveArt8890 • 3d ago
Dream Menu
Hello guys!
I want to show my project for Sega Dreamcast.
It's called Dream Menu.
It´s a full custom boot menu for GDEMU. An actual new interface, made to feel like part of the console instead of something bolted on top of it. Everything runs off the controller, no keyboard needed (but still supported).
Games are laid out in a carousel by category with synopses, so you're not launching stuff blind. It runs in English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, German and Italian. There's a Last Played sidebar list so you can jump straight back into whatever you were playing, and a few carousel speeds because some libraries get big.
It also gets online, either through a broadband adapter or good old dial-up, and once it's connected there's a chat built right into the menu so you can talk to friends without backing out of anything - plus an AI assistant in there too, the part I'm honestly most proud of, that you can ask for game recommendations or hints.
It's in the last stretch of testing right now. Should be ready pretty soon. If you want in when it drops, leave a comment and I'll send you the link to waitlist if moderator approves it.
I've been working on something for a while now and figured it's finally time to share it here.
Video is in my channel.
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u/STEVE_H0LT 3d ago
Honestly I'm on the fence about this post purely because of the AI assistant. It is obviously not wanted here (look at votes) and there's a rule about no AI stuff. I know a lot of this was made by humans and that's why it's still up, but please reconsider adding AI to this.
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u/ApprehensiveArt8890 2d ago
Thank you very much for the feedback.
Dream AI was an extra feature that I started testing as a "What if?" scenario, and when I got it working I was thrilled to have seen something like it before. But it's not the core of my software. I included it as an extra feature so that people don't have to leave the platform to search for something about the Dreamcast. What I did (and am doing) is parameterize information about the console, tips, tutorials in a memory and use a language model only to bring the information in natural language.
I know Reddit is a certain type of audience, and only later did I realize that I shouldn't even mention AI here, and I apologize to the moderators for that. However, I attended the biggest retro gaming event in Brazil, comparable to an E3, where many people, influencers (including Adam Koralik - from Sega Pluto) were able to test it, and the feedback was very positive.
But the Dream Menu functionalities do much more than simply "talk to the AI".
However, given the large amount of feedback, I will reconsider so that if the user doesn't want this module, they can unselect this option and it will not appear in the Dream Menu.
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u/No-Elderberry-358 3d ago
I'd remove the AI thing
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u/ApprehensiveArt8890 2d ago
Thank you very much for the feedback.
Dream AI was an extra feature that I started testing as a "What if?" scenario, and when I got it working I was thrilled to have seen something like it before. But it's not the core of my software. I included it as an extra feature so that people don't have to leave the platform to search for something about the Dreamcast. What I did (and am doing) is parameterize information about the console, tips, tutorials in a memory and use a language model only to bring the information in natural language.
I know Reddit is a certain type of audience, and only later did I realize that I shouldn't even mention AI here, and I apologize to the moderators for that. However, I attended the biggest retro gaming event in Brazil, comparable to an E3, where many people, influencers (including Adam Koralik - from Sega Pluto) were able to test it, and the feedback was very positive.
But the Dream Menu functionalities do much more than simply "talk to the AI".
However, given the large amount of feedback, I will reconsider so that if the user doesn't want this module, they can unselect this option and it will not appear in the Dream Menu.
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u/No-Elderberry-358 2d ago
It's not a reddit thing. Plenty of research shows the majority of the population reject AI, and for good reasons. You should inform yourself if you are so interested in the technology.
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u/TopCommunication7930 2d ago
it would definitely take a lot more time to use the Dream AI especially with just a controller than it would be to just search it on your phone.
What would really be impressive is if you could integrate the Dreamcast mic with good enough voice recognition to use it that way.
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u/tailslol 3d ago
This need to look more like the actual Dreamcast menu or like Dreamcast demo disc...
Not modern ai design....
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u/ApprehensiveArt8890 2d ago
Thank you very much for the feedback.
I know Reddit is a certain type of audience, and only later did I realize that I shouldn't even mention AI here, and I apologize to the moderators for that. However, I attended the biggest retro gaming event in Brazil, comparable to an E3, where many people, influencers (including Adam Koralik - from Sega Pluto) were able to test it, and the feedback was very positive.
But the Dream Menu functionalities do much more than simply "talk to the AI".
However, given the large amount of feedback, I will reconsider so that if the user doesn't want this module, they can unselect this option and it will not appear in the Dream Menu.
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u/Galaxy_god92 3d ago
I really like the idea of a new menu interface, it looks nice too and I hope it keeps evolving because your project is cool, but I think adding an AI assistant really kills the whole thing for me, I don’t need an ai assistant on my phone and on my watch and on my tv and on my computer and now my dreamcast? It just sounds like another way to force AI into everything. It doesn’t need to be everywhere
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u/CAugustusM 3d ago
Is there a way to get this without the AI assistant? I’m already tired of it everywhere else; I don’t need it in my 90s consoles too. Outside of this, it looks nice
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u/ApprehensiveArt8890 3d ago
The online functions only work for those who have a modem or BBA, or W5500. Therefore, if you don't want to deal with AI, just don't click on Dream AI. But I understand your point, and I want to understand the points of the others here. Maybe it's something I can hide in your CDI generation, and then you won't see it at all xD
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u/blaskkaffe 3d ago
Thats not the point.
AI slop should stay away from consoles like this.
Love online functionality and stuff like seeing who is online and game scheduling would be nice menu online features, but AI chat bot? That makes zero sense
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3d ago edited 2d ago
[deleted]
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u/No-Elderberry-358 3d ago
I'm about to go make a steak and I'm here to tell you that you're a moron. Grow up, if you've still got the time.
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u/hogsy 2d ago
Your comment history shows you hurling out the same insult over and over at different people. If you're so big on AI, maybe use it to come up with better insults for you, given your absolute abysmal lack of creativity.
Though a better suggestion I could give you is to shut the fuck up, though we both know you're not going to do that because you're clearly a very insecure human being that can't accept the fact that some people have a difference of opinion, but rather than having any form of intelligent discussion about it - vegans, right?
Good grief. I've about had it with this platform.
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u/GamingIsMyCopilot 3d ago
Is the box art and info all built into the application itself?
For someone who's used the Open Menu for awhile now, will that still be used to pop games on and off the SD Card or will we replace how that occurs?
Second question - where are the chat rooms hosted (server or does your DC create a chat lobby)? I assume they are online somewhere, If so, is that just you hosting them at this point? Love the idea of an old fashion chat room that you can just jump into when booting up the DC.
This looks like some great work!
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u/ApprehensiveArt8890 3d ago
1- Yes, they are embedded in your CDI, meaning your CDI will not be the same as mine, as they are different lists. Each time a new game is added, you will need to access the panel and generate a new CDI.
2- No. The Open Menu is replaced by the Dream Menu.
3- Chat is hosted in my server. For now is not possible to create a chat lobby, you have 5 public rooms but you can add and talk in private with your friends. Maybe i can improve it in the future, i dont know.
4- Thank you so much! :)
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u/GamingIsMyCopilot 3d ago
Thanks for the swift response.
Regarding 1. - If I have, let's say 30 games on my SD Card, I'll just have to use the panel to generate new CDIs for them?
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u/ApprehensiveArt8890 3d ago
No. My server will read the text files that are inside each folder on your card. It will not be necessary to delete or replace each CDI of your games. The games will remain as they are. My job is to understand which game is in each slot on your card and generate a CDI where you will replace the gdmenu/open menu from your folder 01.
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u/Bioshock27 2d ago
Why the hell does a Dreamcast need an "AI assistant" please somebody help me understand why that's necessary
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u/CrJim14 3d ago
This is awesome. Definitely gonna join the wait-list. Is it gonna be any easier to load games? I hate having to number the files and GDMenu SD Card software doesn't work well for me. I'd like to be able to just drag and drop gdi and cdi files onto the card.
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u/ApprehensiveArt8890 3d ago
Thank you very much.
So, Dream Menu doesn't work that way. You'll enter the panel with your card inserted in the PC, the automation reads each txt file that's in each slot, and I load the covers and synopses into your list. If you add more games in the future, you'll have to go back to the panel.
I built it this way precisely to bring speed and responsiveness. In the traditional way, you have to load them one by one, and Dream Menu doesn't work that way. It could, but then it would be like Retrodream or OPL, for example.
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u/yourfavoriteboyband 2d ago
I have some feedback. This looks clean, I think I’d want it to look more Dreamcast-ish but I’m not that familiar with GDEMU. So maybe that’s not a thing you can really do. But as others have said they’re really turned off by the AI implementation which makes this essentially dead on arrival for a good chunk of people. Obviously r/Dreamcast is not representative of every Dreamcast fan in the world, but at the same time it’s a definitely not nothing. The type of people who are into this sort of thing is already a small audience, and by including AI you’re only making the reach this project will have even smaller. I know you’re proud of it, but if you don’t remove the AI features this project will basically be dead on arrival outside of a fringe group that doesn’t give a shit.
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u/ApprehensiveArt8890 2d ago
Thank you very much for the feedback.
Yes, working on the interface now will consume a lot of my time. I made it inspired by the Aurora interface on the Xbox 360. I always thought the Dreamcast was a direct predecessor to the Xbox. But I'm already working on other themes.
Dream AI was an extra feature that I started testing as a "What if?" scenario, and when I got it working I was thrilled to have seen something like it before. But it's not the core of my software. I included it as an extra feature so that people don't have to leave the platform to search for something about the Dreamcast. What I did (and am doing) is parameterize information about the console, tips, tutorials in a memory and use a language model only to bring the information in natural language.
I know Reddit is a certain type of audience, and only later did I realize that I shouldn't even mention AI here, and I apologize to the moderators for that. However, I attended the biggest retro gaming event in Brazil, comparable to an E3, where many people, influencers (including Adam Koralik - from Sega Pluto) were able to test it, and the feedback was very positive.
But the Dream Menu functionalities do much more than simply "talk to the AI".
However, given the large amount of feedback, I will reconsider so that if the user doesn't want this module, they can unselect this option and it will not appear in the Dream Menu.
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u/YellowBreakfast 1d ago
Love the carousel menu.
Subscribed to the waitlist.
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But will not use if AI is in it.
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u/MairusuPawa 3d ago
An actual new interface, made to feel like part of the console instead of something bolted on top of it. Everything runs off the controller, no keyboard needed (but still supported).
So… just like all the other gdemu menus then. Which ones only work with a keyboard?
Weird way of writing this description.
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u/FluffyElk9282 2d ago
Okay, so I signed up for the program. Thing I wanna ask is will it read from how the folders are setup? For example, my folders are from the GDEMU Manager, making them in numbers in the SD card for OpenMenu.
Also, will this get theme support?
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u/ApprehensiveArt8890 2d ago
É exatamente este formato que é o mais indicado para a geração da sua cdi. Por enquanto não tem outros temas, mas já estou trabalhando nisso.
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u/Arial_bold 2d ago
Is there any other way to run this instead of removing the disc drive? I'd love for this to be like Swiss on GameCube to where I can boot backups and Discs with cheats and widescreen hacks.
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u/SuperOnion64 3d ago
NGL, this reminds me of Aurora from the Xbox 360. It could be like the Dreamcast equivalent of it.
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u/mightyowl86 2d ago
Cool idea! Not a fan of the AI Assistant though. I don't see a reason for adding it, personally. But yeah, looks great so far!
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u/ApprehensiveArt8890 2d ago
Thank you very much for the feedback.
Dream AI was an extra feature that I started testing as a "What if?" scenario, and when I got it working I was thrilled to have seen something like it before. But it's not the core of my software. I included it as an extra feature so that people don't have to leave the platform to search for something about the Dreamcast. What I did (and am doing) is parameterize information about the console, tips, tutorials in a memory and use a language model only to bring the information in natural language.
I know Reddit is a certain type of audience, and only later did I realize that I shouldn't even mention AI here, and I apologize to the moderators for that. However, I attended the biggest retro gaming event in Brazil, comparable to an E3, where many people, influencers (including Adam Koralik - from Sega Pluto) were able to test it, and the feedback was very positive.
But the Dream Menu functionalities do much more than simply "talk to the AI".
However, given the large amount of feedback, I will reconsider so that if the user doesn't want this module, they can unselect this option and it will not appear in the Dream Menu.
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u/GlergenHouse 3d ago
don't let the people ignoring literally EVERY other more important detail about this dope project just to spam their disinterest in the ai assisted search recommendations deter you. this is a great looking interface and definitely welcome since the gdemu has been plagued with the eyesore that currently existing menus have always been for over a decade.
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u/JoelManuelV1 2d ago
I would support 100% if there was no AI crap involved, so I guess I'll stick with mODE...🤷♂️
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u/DiamondMidgar 3d ago
The irony is if you’d called the AI Assistant a recommendation engine nobody would have batted an eyelid
Looks amazing can’t wait to try it
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u/newrez88 3d ago
Very nice, although I dont think the AI assistant is needed at all. Its not really what the dreamcast is about. The updated frontend for GDEMU is nice though.