Version History
Complete release history of MaLa from 2005 to present. All versions are available to download from GitHub.
v1.74 — March 2011 [Full package]
Last formally released version before the long development hiatus.
Improvements
- Video engine updated with more type options for startup video and screensaver
- Better logic for next letter scrolling with non-letter characters
- Added Hibernate exit option
- Improved suspend/hibernate reactions
- Error dialogue if startup video not found
- Exit key now bails out of menu from any level
- Options — moved Video Display controls onto same window as other Display delay controls
Bugfixes
- Fixed Definable 5 for info window
- Fixed Snap Display if tree enabled on menu window
- Fixed mouse scroll on initial MaLa start
- Fixed autorepeat on Letter Up/Down, X Up/Down
- Improved handling of snap and video loading after orientation change
- Better handling of bad/corrupt images — no more crashes
- Fixed ability to reduce volume via menu while music stops/fades
v1.73 — November 2010 [Exe only]
Improvements
- Major compiler change — IDE moved to Delphi 2007 (no longer Delphi 5)
Bugfixes
- Fixed bug with Auto key repeat (next letter or X skip)
- Bug fixes for Audio Fade rate and triggering
- Bug fix for Audio triggering when using Tree and Audio with Layout
v1.72 — October 2010 [Exe only]
Improvements
- Added workarounds and logging for failed graphic load attempts
- PluginSDK — added better plug-in configuration window example
- PluginSDK — added Arzoo's MaLa stub tool
- PluginSDK now packaged with the standard MaLa download
- Added code to stop more than one instance of MaLa being opened
- Added auto pause for BG music if Video Screensaver triggered with sound
- Added Hi Info page and improved Most Played lists configuration
Bugfixes
- Fixed bug with remove brackets on the fly — could enter endless loop
- Fixed bug where selected game jumps after orientation change
- Fixed BG Music for Layouts
- Fixed bug displaying some images when first item selected
v1.71 — September 2010 [Exe only]
Improvements
- Video — made MaLa more tolerant of video types; releases file handles if not playing
Bugfixes
- Fixed bug where marquees, control panel and definables not shown correctly in certain configurations
v1.70 — August 2010 [Exe only]
Improvements
- Added Show Game Metadata screen via right click
- Added Windows Focus command after every video loop
- Added memory usage logging on game list loading and game start/quit
- Added option to launch game with left mouse button
- Improved native USB hardware (LED and LCD) handling
v1.65.0 Beta — June 2010 [Exe only]
Improvements
- Added auto key repeat for 1-up/down to support older iPacs
- Added optional delay for game starting picture
- Added Shift Keys for joystick control
- MaLa Muzac/Jukebox transitioned to new engine — bass.dll no longer required
- Joystick buttons over 16 and menu buttons over 12 fixed
v1.63.4 — November 2009 [Exe only]
Improvements
- Video2/layout video option implementation finished
- Improved next letter logic for games starting with numbers
- Added 5th definable image for MAME and other emulators
- Added Plugin ConfigureStart/Stop events
- Added option not to loop video (play once)
- Enabled layout video to include animated GIFs
- Added option to launch game with left mouse button
- Windows 7 detection added
v1.62f — April 2009 [Exe only]
Major video engine replacement — developed with a group of beta testers over several weeks.
Improvements
- Video engine replaced for improved stability and wider video format support
- Added IOWarrior24 chip support for LCD display
- Number of joystick buttons increased to 32
- Second video window option (layout video)
- Added MaLa Messages ability to switch orientations
- Added hotkeys to switch to various orientations
- Added Definable images for non-MAME emulators
v1.05 — September 2008 [Full package]
First release by Loadman.
Improvements
- Plugin Configure support — configuration GUI can be launched from within MaLa
- Added check for OS so MaLaHook.dll only loaded on 98/98SE/ME
- Added config for exit confirmation to be optional
- Added Standby to shutdown options
- Development IDE moved to English — exception errors now in English
Bugfixes
- Startup video and screensaver now works when mouse is enabled
- MaLa won't crash if put into standby mode in a gamelist or screensaver
- GUI now sets game collecting options for MAME only masters correctly
v1.04 — September 2007 [Full package]
Last release by original developer Swindus.
Improvements
- Added conditional command line parameter for MAME
v1.03 — August 2007 [Exe only]
Improvements
- Aspect ratio of images and videos can be adjusted individually
- Added delay option for video display in layout
- Added scroll acceleration for mouse and joystick — adjustable individually
Bugfixes
- Scroll acceleration not working when using MaLa shift key
v1.00 RC10 — August 2007 [Exe only]
v1.00 RC9 — March 2007 [Exe only]
Improvements
- Smooth display fade out/fade in when switching layout
- Screensaver enhancements including watermark image support
- Ability to configure the info window (add/remove pages, reorder, edit titles)
- New plugin events: MaLaOrientationSwitch, MaLaScreensaverSwitch, MaLaTreeUp/Down
- Many new MALAMSG messages for plugin/external app control
- Added ability to play a video on MaLa start
v1.00 RC8 — October 2006 [Exe only]
Improvements
- Added event plugin system for developer extensibility
- Added option to use LED files to override default lighting per game
- Added lock exit option to avoid accidental exiting
- Improved copy roms to folder in MaLaGamelist
v1.00 RC7 — July 2006 [Exe only]
Improvements
- Complete rework of joystick handling — no more glitches when scrolling
- Joystick handles up to 4 axis, POV and 12 buttons per joystick
- Added support for second joystick
- Added ability to display pictures instead of text in game list
- Added new LED types to LED config
- Added LED animation sequences on GUI events
v1.00 RC6 — June 2006 [Exe only]
Improvements
- Added video display to screensaver
- Added ability to launch external apps
- Added ability to launch application on MaLa exit
- Added optional configurable LED flash on game start
- MaLa Menu now available in tree mode
v1.00 RC5 — June 2006 [Exe only]
Improvements
- Option to use fullscreen picture instead of starting window
- Layout: Different count of games above and below selected game
- Layout: Diagonal, peaked and curved display of game list
- Layout: Text size gradient in game list
v1.00 RC4 — May 2006 [Exe only]
Improvements
- Added aspect ratio of 1.6 (16:10) for widescreen layouts
- MalaTree and MalaGamelist stay on top when started via command line
v1.00 RC3 — May 2006 [Exe only]
Improvements
- Added ability to rotate videos in realtime (90, 180, 270 degrees)
- Added ability to execute commands before and after emulator execution
- Complete rework of Most Played game list handling
- Added ability to add/remove games to/from game lists from popup menu
- Added more GUI sounds: quit game, emu switch, screensaver start, orientation switch
- Added emulator command line presets
- Added manifest so all applications use WinXP controls
v1.00 RC2 — May 2006 [Exe only]
Improvements
- Added smart encoder programming option
- Added use pictures of master for clones to definable images
- Added function to MalaLayout to change absolute path for all images and sounds
- Added more layout properties: fonts and colors for all windows
Bugfixes
- GUI option Show videos always disabled when closing MaLa with exit window
- Default images for definables not working
- Error in MaLaGamelist when saving after deleting a game
v1.00 RC1 — April 2006 [Exe only]
Improvements
- Added support for CPViewer
- Complete rework of video display — faster loading, focus problems fixed
- Complete rework of keyboard encoder programming
- Added ability to search rom files in subfolders
- MalaLayout: Added new quick access menus for fonts and colors
v1.00 Beta 4 — April 2006 [Exe only]
Improvements
- Added desktop resolution handling
- Added screensaver with picture slideshow
- Added ability to use LNK files as rom files
- Splash rotates to MaLa orientation
- Added debug log file
- Added snaps for MaLa tree nodes
v1.00 Beta 2 — September 2005 [Exe only]