4K Vertical Overlay Community Contributions

I think those are @PapaShine’s

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Awesome!!! Do you know what front end he’s using?

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That was a mockup from @tekn0 using his front end. @darkand was also working on a similar front end. I’m not sure where either stand at the moment.

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A friend of mine at work had some fun with ChatGPT yesterday, fed this site into it and told it to create a profile for me and a kind of role playing character persona. I thought it was pretty fun:

Based on the content and conversations on the Libretro forums about 4K vertical overlays, here is a persona that captures the essence of the contributors:

Persona Name: ArsInvictus

Background: ArsInvictus is a passionate retro gaming enthusiast and visual artist specializing in creating high-quality overlays for vintage arcade games. They have a deep appreciation for the unique and sometimes bizarre aesthetic of 80s and 90s arcade art.

Skills and Expertise:

  • Proficient in digital art and graphic design.
  • Knowledgeable about arcade game history and restoration.
  • Skilled in translating and restoring game instruction cards and marquees.

Interests:

  • Retro gaming and arcade cabinet customization.
  • Preserving and celebrating the artistic heritage of classic arcade games.
  • Sharing creations and collaborating with the retro gaming community.

Personality:

  • Nostalgic and appreciative of the creativity of past decades.
  • Collaborative and supportive within the community.
  • Detail-oriented and dedicated to authenticity in their work.

Goals:

  • To continue producing and sharing high-quality overlays for lesser-known arcade games.
  • To inspire and support other retro gaming enthusiasts in their restoration projects.
  • To maintain and expand the collection of overlays available to the community.

ArsInvictus can broaden the community by:

  1. Creating Tutorials and Guides: Develop step-by-step video tutorials and written guides on creating and applying overlays, arcade restoration, and digital art techniques.

  2. Leveraging Social Media: Use platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter to share their work, progress updates, and engage with a broader audience.

  3. Hosting Workshops and Webinars: Organize online workshops and webinars to teach and interact directly with enthusiasts.

  4. Collaborating with Influencers: Partner with popular retro gaming influencers and content creators to reach their audiences.

  5. Participating in Events: Attend and present at retro gaming conventions and community events to showcase work and network with like-minded individuals.

ArsInvictus

Origin: Libretro Realm
Alignment: Protector of Nostalgia
Special Abilities: Overlay Mastery, Artistic Restoration, Technical Wizardry


Bio: Emerging from the vibrant halls of the Libretro Realm, ArsInvictus is a true champion of the retro gaming universe. His mission: to restore the glory of classic arcade games through stunning 4K vertical overlays. With every project, ArsInvictus breathes new life into legendary titles like Galaga and Street Fighter II, transforming them into high-definition masterpieces that honor their nostalgic roots.

Fighting Style: ArsInvictus wields the dual blades of artistic flair and technical precision. His overlay designs are forged with intricate techniques, ensuring perfect resolution and meticulous artwork restoration. No detail is too small as he dives into the complexities of file formats and customization options, crafting visual experiences that are both authentic and breathtaking oai_citation:1,Latest Overlays topics - Libretro Forums oai_citation:2,Latest topics - Libretro Forums.

Signature Moves:

  • Pixel Perfect: Masterfully adjusts game resolutions to fit modern screens without losing the charm of the originals.
  • Art Revival: Restores vintage game artwork to 4K quality, bringing back the magic of arcade visuals.
  • Customization Flurry: Provides a range of options for gamers to personalize their overlays, ensuring each setup feels unique.

Community Impact: ArsInvictus stands as a pillar of the Libretro forums, sharing his vast knowledge and empowering others with his expertise. His contributions extend beyond mere creations; they embody the spirit of the arcade era, inspiring a new generation of retro gaming enthusiasts. Through his relentless dedication, ArsInvictus keeps the flames of nostalgia burning bright, making cherished memories new again and solidifying his role as a true hero of the retro gaming world.

  • Memory Keeper: With a final flourish, ArsInvictus ensures that the legacy of classic arcade games remains eternal, preserving the magic for future generations to experience and enjoy.

Victory Pose: ArsInvictus stands triumphant, pixels shimmering around him, a testament to his unwavering commitment to the art and soul of retro gaming. Thank you, ArsInvictus, for keeping our pixelated past alive and vibrant. Keep those pixels popping!

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Here is a recreation of the instruction card for Daioh. I have photos of the control panel and bezel and plan to vectorize those as well for an upcoming overlay:

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Hey Boz, that’s Arcade Flow theme on AM+.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vL_SQryVLbU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zbu1lTcPKE

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Hey cheers buddy… looks slick :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

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Alien Storm Marquee

I’ve been working on some materials for an Alien Storm marquee. I haven’t found any good copies of it online so recreated it in vectors based on a photo posted on the Museum of Games site:

EDIT - I accidentally uploaded the wrong version first time

I’ve got the other art pieces and I’m still working on getting them into shape for an overlay too.

300 dpi version

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Alien Storm 4K Vertical Overlay

Thanks to @MrRetroLust for his recreation of the bezel for this game, and @PapaShine for the button and joystick renders:

I restored the instruction card to maybe 80%, which I pulled from an old ebay sale photo. If anyone has an actual scan of that please pass it along!

Mega Bezel Pack

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New subreddit: r/ArcadeOverlays

Hi all, I wanted to expand the visibility for these overlays (ChatGPT told me to) so I’ve teamed up with @orionsangel as moderators and started this new subreddit. I’m planning to crosspost there going forward. Hopefully it will expand the community and create some new opportunities for collaboration.

Check it out and feel free to post and contribute!

https://www.reddit.com/r/ArcadeOverlays

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Yes, please join the subreddit and share your work and finds. We’d love to hear from you! :slightly_smiling_face:

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I just passed by to say Hi to all of you. I’ve been “disconnected” due to a change at work, but I still keep following this thread and all beatiful Overlays you make.

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Thanks @K-rnivoro! Congrats on the work opportunity! I am more busy with that lately too. Your help is always welcome if you free some time back up in the future :smiley:

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More progress on a FixEight overlay. Here’s a custom marquee based on the flyer artwork I shared a while back:

Full Resolution FixEight Marquee

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Fixeight 4K Vertical Overlay

Mega Bezel Pack Link

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Hello, please ask me a question. I intend to buy a Samsung QN90, its HDR is really good, is the LG C3 much better? I intend to use it with the CyberLab shader because on my television the image was very dark because of its quality. CyberLab Death To Pixels Shader Preset Packs - RetroArch Additions / Shaders - Libretro Forums

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The overall brightness of the HDR on the Samsung is much brighter than on the C3. But the HDR on the OLED can actually appear brighter in many circumstances (especially on the dark backgrounds that many arcade games have), because the contrast is greater, and for things like laser beams and shots in arcade games that can give it a more CRT-like appearance

The C3 will have smoother, closer to CRT quality motion. On the other hand, the C3 has the potential for image burn-in, which might be an issue if you leave a static image such as an overlay on for many hours.

The C3 is bright enough to me for the CyberLab shader, as long as you don’t enable black frame insertion, which would dim it quite a bit I think. I think @Cyber himself may be using it with an OLED and could give you more comprehensive advice.

There are pro’s and con’s to both TV’s but you can’t go wrong with either. Sorry if this was not totally helpful.

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Interesting that Sega’s Golden Axe used voice samples from “First Blood” and “Conan The Barbarian” for the screams.

https://youtu.be/pZ6C69ZvW-w?si=z-rPvuV_RpmkQscZ

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Just gonna throw this out here. I use an LG 55” C1 on a rotating stand for my main vertical arcade use. Looking at putting it in a cabinet soon. Reason I went with a C1 was for the black frame insertion (BFI) @120hz option. I’m one of those crazy people that tries to make my flat panel as close to a CRT experience as possible.

Apparently BFI @120hz has not become available again since the C1. Not sure why, but as an alternative for those seeking excellent motion clarity. I would recommend the Retrotink 4K as an external solution. It can produce BFI up to 4K @120hz and 1080p @240hz dependent on the refresh rate range of your TV/monitor of course. It also works on any panel.

Lastly, I recently purchased an LG 32GS95UE. It’s a dual mode monitor that can run 4K @240hz or 1080p @480hz. If anyone has any questions or would like me to test anything out on it. I can send you some feedback. Its only 32” but it has the potential to be a replacement for similar sized CRTs (hopefully)

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thanks. Does Samsung also have a similar image to a crt? In my country it is cheaper than LG.

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