Easy Launcher Version 4.7.0

Simple Launcher v4.7.0 offers a user-friendly frontend for retro gaming, introducing several new features. It now groups multi-file MAME games into single UI entries and includes the RetroGameCoverDownloader for obtaining game cover art. An automatic linking system for Epic, Steam, and Windows Store games has been implemented, alongside an advanced search feature. New user onboarding is streamlined with a first-run guide. UI improvements include markdown rendering and dark mode options. The latest version also refactors core services, enhances thread safety, and updates tools and emulators. Over 100 new localization strings were added. Download Simple Launcher v4.7.0 for the latest enhancements.

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Simple Launcher v4.7.0 has been released. This emulator frontend simplifies the process of playing retro games.

Simple Launcher Changelog:
🚀 New Features
File Grouping by Folder: Combines multi-file MAME games (like Software List CHDs/ROMs from PleasureDome) into single user interface entries. This feature is only compatible with MAME; warnings will appear for non-MAME setups. It’s a convenient way to launch MAME Software List CHDs.
RetroGameCoverDownloader: A new tool designed to assist users in acquiring cover art for their games.
Automatic Windows System Creation: An algorithm now automatically adds links to Epic Games, Steam Games, and Windows Store Games to the frontend.
Enhanced Global Search: Filter options based on system, filename, MAME description, folder name, and recursive searching.
Welcome Flow for First-Time Users: A guide leading new users through Easy Mode for a quicker setup.
Kebab Menu: The “…” button on game entries provides quick context actions.
Customizable Status Bar: Timeout setting (default 3s) with informative feedback for loading/saving/actions.
🔧 Core Refactoring
Dependency Injection (DI): Services such as GameLauncher, GamePadController, UpdateChecker, ExtractionService, and PlaySoundEffects are now organized as instance-based services.
ExtractionService: Refactored from ExtractCompressedFile with an IExtractionService interface and added retry logic for file locks.
Thread Safety: Implemented SemaphoreSlim for game caches; Dispatcher.InvokeAsync is preferred.
Updated to .NET 10: Framework upgraded, including C# 14 features.
🎨 UI/UX Enhancements
UpdateHistoryWindow: Native Markdown rendering without external dependencies.
EditSystemWindow: Changed from GroupBox to Expander (collapsible) with persistent states.
Resizable Windows: For SetFuzzyMatchingWindow and SetGamepadDeadZoneWindow.
Dark Mode Toggle: Navigation menu icon and handler.
Uniform Loading Overlays: Consistent across windows; UI disabled during operations.
🛠️ Tools & Emulators
Updated Binaries: Tools include (bchunk.exe, GameCoverScraper, FindRomCover.exe, BatchConvertIsoToXiso.exe, etc.).
New Emulators: Ymir (Saturn), NooDs (DS), Gearlynx/Gearboy (Lynx).
Documentation: Updated parameters.md/helpuser.xml with Amiga models and MAME rompath examples.
🛡️ Robustness & Performance
Cancellation Tokens: Used in GlobalSearchWindow and PlayHistoryWindow.
Atomic Saves: Favorites avoid corruption using temporary files.
Cache Invalidation: RA cache cleared upon credential changes.
Localization: Added 100+ new strings (artwork, Easy Mode, errors).