GameBrowser Metadata

[Concept211 13]

I recently set up GameBrowser III on my server and noticed the metadata that is collected when auto-scanned is nearly completely missing. I've noticed several posts on the forums where people complain that a large majority of their titles are not found.

 

Another thing I've noticed is that for me, the initial scan couldn't find any of my sample NES roms that I put in the proper directories, even very obvious/popular ones like Super Mario Bros 1, 2, 3 and The Legend of Zelda. However, if I manually went into each title and clicked the "Identify" button, I could then make a selection and the complete metadata and graphics would download immediately. However, who wants to do that for every individual game (not me)?

 

So I've been trying to do some research and I used another popular title (Rad Racer) as a test subject...

 

On initial scan all you see collected is a screenshot and disc image of the game:

 

In the Emby web UI you see no cover or metadata:

  

 

 

I checked the server logs and found only a few lines mentioning "Rad Racer".

 

So I see that it download several files which I'm assuming 2 of them are the screenshot and disc images which are coming from http://gamesdbase.com/game/nintendo-nes/rad-racer.aspx (another metadata downloader which isn't even listed in the Emby Metadata server settings).

2016-02-12 05:30:55.1300 Error App: Error parsing xml file \\HTPC\Games\NES\Rad Racer\game.xml
2016-02-12 05:30:55.1300 Info App: HttpClientManager GET: http://thegamesdb.net/api/GetGamesList.php?name=Rad+Racer&platform=Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
2016-02-12 05:30:55.3090 Info App: HttpClientManager GET: https://api.gamesdbase.com/search.aspx?search=Rad+Racer&system=Nintendo_NES&media=Cabinet&sessionid=8AE76E7F4EC46D48528C44C7
2016-02-12 05:30:55.4460 Info App: HttpClientManager GET: https://api.gamesdbase.com/search.aspx?search=Rad+Racer&system=Nintendo_NES&media=Cart&sessionid=8AE76E7F4EC46D48528C44C7
2016-02-12 05:30:55.5890 Info App: HttpClientManager GET: https://api.gamesdbase.com/search.aspx?search=Rad+Racer&system=Nintendo_NES&media=Snap&sessionid=8AE76E7F4EC46D48528C44C7
2016-02-12 05:30:55.7300 Info App: HttpClientManager GET: https://api.gamesdbase.com/search.aspx?search=Rad+Racer&system=Nintendo_NES&media=Title&sessionid=8AE76E7F4EC46D48528C44C7
2016-02-12 05:30:55.8730 Info App: HttpClientManager GET: http://api.gamesdbase.com/3734c85e3634643265c3645ec33163c33730313362c3c35e36ffddc9ed5a6db45b6c6dc86f5771c8631b71c8625e711bb0.png

The curious thing I noticed for ALL games is that it always throws an error saying that it couldn't parse the "game.xml" file even for the titles it did successfully find. Why is this? Is it just to let you know that the game.xml wasn't found since it's a brand new game in the directory/database?

 

So I checked TheGamesDB.net API search results to see what it returned and I noticed "Rad Racer" isn't even on the list:

 

I tried to use the "Identify" feature in Emby, but as expected, I got the same results as the API response:

 

 

I then went directly to the general TGDB website and searched there and I also don't see "Rad Racer" in the search results:

 

However, if you hit enter on the search field, you're suddenly displayed the details page of Rad Racer:

http://thegamesdb.net/search/?string=rad+racer&function=Search

 

 

 

So I think the reason Emby can't identify the majority of people's ROM titles is because TGDB website/API is buggy.

 

 

I did some research and there seems to be a better Website+API that has even more titles and the results seem accurate. It's Giant Bomb (www.giantbomb.com) and they also have an API available: http://www.giantbomb.com/api/  - they mention on the page that they have a restriction of 200 requests per hour, but when I signed up for a API key, it is labeled with "no rate limits". This might be worth implementing to get better results.

 

 

I also found another online database with a public API, but it's geared more for modern consoles: https://www.igdb.com/api/v1/documentation

 

Here are several other resources, but without APIs:

• www.mobygames.com
• www.archive.vg
• www.spong.com
• www.ugdb.com
• www.vgcollect.com

 

Is @@Redshirt or anyone else still involved in maintaining this Plugin? I'm a web developer/designer so I can help if you guys need it, although I have very limited knowledge of the inner workings of Emby (but I can certainly get up to speed if needed) 

Edited February 12, 2016 by Concept211

[Redshirt 1487]

I looked at GB a few weeks ago as I noticed the game identification has gone down the tank. I don't think it's an issue with the TGDB api. I believe the lack of images is due to ongoing Emby server changes and the GB plugin just hasn't been updated to support them

 

I've only been active on the forums for the last 2 months or so after nearly a year long hiatus, so am really out of the loop. If the loss of functionality is due to Emby, I'd rather Luke took a look at it since it will take him 45 minutes to fix that which will take me a day to learn all over again.

[Concept211 13]

Hi Redshirt,

 

Thanks for letting us know! The issue might be a little bit of both (bugs in Emby AND TGDB). I venture to say it's TGDB just because of my example above where it couldn't find a title via the API and search but they actually DO have it in their database. Along with the Rad Racer test, I also had Ninja Gaiden as a second title, and Emby/TGDB was able to find it and download the metadata with no issues at all: http://thegamesdb.net/api/GetGamesList.php?name=Ninja%20Gaiden&platform=Nintendo%20Entertainment%20System%20(NES)- so it seems very hit and miss with their API.

[Luke 37010]

The GameBrowser plugin has been updated with a new configuration screen to match the look and feel of the rest of Emby Server. I think you'll find it much more enjoyable to use and configure now. 

 

We are looking for contributors who might be interested in helping with other GameBrowser development, so if that's something you'd like to help out with then please let us know.

 

Thanks !

[cash84 4]

I have the same issue here. Not sure if this ever been resolved. Are there just limited interest in the Plugin?

[Luke 37010]

I think there's plenty of interest, we're just hoping to get a little community help with this. Thanks.

[cash84 4]

Thanks for you response Luke. I wish I knew how to code better but very limited. All I can really do is test it and find bugs.