# emulatorCore (asset type) A pluggable console emulator: the machine spec the `RetroConsole` cabinet discovers and boots. Publishing a new `<name>.emulatorCore` asset (in any package) makes that console appear in every cabinet in the world — the cabinet enumerates `asset.list("emulatorCore")` live, so cores install like any other content, with no cabinet changes. ## Instance shape `<name>.emulatorCore/init.luau` returns the core spec: ```luau return { id = "nes", -- stable key: save/store namespaces derive from it name = "NES", -- select-screen label cover = "cover_nes", -- optional: texture reference shown on the select screen extensions = { "nes" }, -- cartridge extensions, lowercase, first = default width = 256, -- native framebuffer size height = 240, fps = 60.0988, -- hardware frame rate romsDir = "/zero/source/nes_roms", storePrefix = "nes_roms/", -- runtime-data cartridge library namespace savesPrefix = "nes_saves/", -- battery-save namespace; omit if the console has none make = function(bytes) ... end, -- romBytes -> machine; raises on a bad ROM validate = function(bytes) ... end, -- ok, err — gate for uploads/URL fetches framebuffer = function(m) ... end, -- machine -> RGBA8 buffer (width*height*4) applyInput = function(m) ... end, -- read the keyboard, set machine input neutralInput = function(m) ... end, -- release every button (called on disengage) voices = function(m) ... end, -- optional: { {active, hz, vol, noise} } for MIDI statusFor = function(m) ... end,-- optional one-line status; defaults to m.title ram = { -- optional battery accessors isDirty = function(m) ... end, clearDirty = function(m) ... end, get = function(m) ... end, set = function(m, bytes) ... end, }, } ``` The machine contract behind `make` is the `retro.host` one: `m:runFrame()` advances one video frame; `m.title` keys battery saves and the status line. ## Reading a spec `asset.resolve("<name>", "emulatorCore"):spec()` loads and caches the spec (the type's `behavior.luau` provides `:spec()` on every reference).

# chip8 A module script.

# retro A pluggable multi-console emulation system: the `RetroConsole` arcade cabinet, the `emulatorCore` asset type consoles plug into, the shared host machinery, and two machine cores (CHIP-8, NES). Install this package, drop the cabinet on a panel, and every emulator core installed in the world shows up in one cartridge loader — one screen, one machine running at a time. ## What installs - **`RetroConsole.component`** — the cabinet. One screen, one loader spanning every installed console, engage/release controls (Esc), letterboxed display, per-console battery saves and cartridge libraries. See its README for the drop-on-a-panel quick start. - **`emulatorCore.assetType`** — the console plug. A core is an asset carrying its spec (extensions, resolution, fps, `make`, input map, battery accessors); publishing one in any package adds that console to every cabinet in the world. The contract is documented in the type's README. - **`chip8_core.emulatorCore` / `nes_core.emulatorCore`** — the shipped consoles (the Game Boy core registers from `gameboy.package` as `gameboy_core.emulatorCore`). - **`chip8.module`** — CHIP-8 machine: 35 opcodes, configurable quirks, 128×64 phosphor framebuffer, beeper voice. - **`nes.module`** — NES machine: cycle-exact 6502 (nestest golden log), scanline PPU with loopy scroll + sprite-0 hit, APU voice model, controllers, mappers NROM/MMC1/UNROM/CNROM, battery PRG-RAM. - **`host.module`** — the shared machinery (`require("retro.host")`): the cabinet engine (`Console`), the core registry, and the units both the cabinet and standalone console components compose — `Display`, `RomLibrary`, `Pacer`, `Saves`, `MidiVoices`, `LoaderUi`, `Host`. - **`console_screen.texture` / `console_screen_mat.material`** — the cabinet's screen surface. ## Machine contract A core's `make(romBytes)` returns a machine with `m:runFrame()` advancing one video frame and `m.title` naming it for saves/status; the spec's `framebuffer(m)` exposes the RGBA8 buffer the cabinet blits. The `emulatorCore.assetType` README documents the full spec table.