libretro / libretro/libretro-common

[Feature Request] 2nd Framebuffer for Video Modes

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Dominant language
C
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Description

In the Desmume Core repository, a limitation concerning the framebuffer was discussed.
https://github.com/libretro/desmume/issues/30

For some cases it is useful to have a second framebuffer which only affects regions of the screen.
The Desmume Case is one example. However more cases are upcoming which more or less will require a second framebuffer. Especially due to Subsystem support, which was introduced in the latest main release, a second framebuffer could be helpful to display systems differently.
Cases are for example:
Nintendo DS - Desmume - Hybrid Mode (as the link already shows)
Nintendo 3DS - Citra - Hybrid Mode
Gameboy/Gameboy Advance - VBA-M/mGBA - Multiplayer
GameCube/Gameboy Advance Link - Dolphin/VBA-M/mGBA - Link Cable Connection
Dreamcast - Reicast - VMU Display
WiiU - CEMU (?) - Second Screen

Most likely there will be other use cases in which a second framebuffer is useful. Especially to render a "different" output at a certain region on the screen. or to display the output on two different screens.

Contributor guide

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First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start by reviewing the linked Desmume issue and locating the existing framebuffer and video-mode entry points in libretro-common; no file or test is named here. Done requires an agreed design and implementation for a second framebuffer that supports region-specific or separate-screen output, with validation for the stated use cases.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
c
Domain
computer-graphics
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
25/100

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