📋 Summary
Use playtime reported by emulators (and storefronts) as the primary source of truth for each game, instead of relying only on “time-in-focus” tracking. This improves accuracy when games are launched outside LaunchBox or when focus changes mid-session.
🎯 Feature Overview
Detect and read emulator-native playtime where available, then write/merge it into LaunchBox’s playtime field.
Support periodic sync (on game exit, on LaunchBox start, or manual “Sync Playtime” action).
Provide per-emulator toggles: Use emulator playtime, Prefer LaunchBox timer, or Merge.
Expose a conflict rule (e.g., “take max,” “sum,” or “prefer emulator”).
Log changes in the game’s audit/history so users can see when and why a number changed.
Combine with Manual Playtime Editing to fill gaps
🧩 Example Integrations (initial targets)
Dolphin (Wii/GC): read per-title stats files.
RPCS3 (PS3): read game time from games.yml/config DB.
Vita3K (PS Vita): read per-title playtime store.
RetroArch: optionally read core/game runtime where available (in addition to LaunchBox’s existing timing).
(Stretch) PCSX2, PPSSPP, Cemu, Yuzu/Ryujinx if/when stable per-title counters exist.
🔁 Sync & Conflict Handling
Modes:
One-way (Emulator → LaunchBox): overwrite LaunchBox playtime with emulator value.
Merge: add delta since last sync (avoids double-counting).
Prefer Greater: choose the larger of the two values.
When: on game exit, on app launch, scheduled, or manual per-platform.
Where stored: per-game “Last Sync Source / Timestamp” to prevent duplicate adds.
📦 Benefits
More accurate playtime when games are launched outside LaunchBox or when focus is lost.
Consistent stats across multi-device setups (desktop/handheld) that use different launch paths.
Less manual correction; better inputs for playlists, progress automation, and analytics.
📱 Android & Cross-Build Considerations
Add a lightweight provider layer on Android to read emulator stats where possible; fall back to LaunchBox timing if not available.
Respect existing cloud sync: merged values should sync just like current playtime/play count.
Please authenticate to join the conversation.
Open To Community

LaunchBox for Windows
11 months ago

AstroBob
Get notified by email when there are changes.
Open To Community

LaunchBox for Windows
11 months ago

AstroBob
Get notified by email when there are changes.