Amiga Game Selector 3.1 is coming: what Paul Vince is planning next

Amiga Game Selector 3.1 isn’t out yet, and creator Paul Vince hasn’t officially announced a release date. That hasn’t stopped interest from growing, though, with plenty of Amiga users already keen to see what the next version brings. Still, the planned changes give us a pretty clear picture of what to expect. This doesn’t look like a small visual refresh or a routine collection update. Version 3.1 appears to focus on the parts people actually notice when they use the system: start-up speed, stability, hardware support, menu design and the way the software collection is organised. There’s a lot on the list. Some changes are small, others go much deeper, but together they could make Amiga Game Selector feel quicker, cleaner and far easier to manage.

Faster start-up and fewer delays

The most immediately noticeable addition could be a new fast boot mode. It’s designed to skip the usual splash screens and get users into the launcher sooner. That sounds simple. It’ll probably make a big difference.

Nobody wants to sit through the same start-up sequence every time they switch on a machine, especially when they already know exactly what they want to run. The fast boot option should remain optional, so users who like the full introduction won’t lose it. It can be controlled through the launcher settings and the Workbench menu.

The wider start-up process is also being cleaned up. User-startup files are being reorganised, while components linked to instability are being removed or replaced. Hardware selection is changing too, with dedicated scripts taking over from the current variable-based method. In practice, that should mean fewer odd start-up problems and more consistent behaviour between different Amiga Game Selector editions.

A simpler drive structure

Amiga Game Selector currently uses several separate HDF images for different parts of the installation. Version 3.1 is expected to combine a number of them. Workbench and Work will share one image. WHDLoad games and demos will also be combined, as will Media and Music, plus Games and Premium.

That’s a sensible move. Fewer mounted images mean fewer things to configure, fewer paths to keep track of and fewer chances for something to go wrong. It should also make installations easier to move between devices.

Portable use seems to be a bigger priority this time. Configuration paths are being adjusted so they don’t depend as heavily on assigns, and the operating-system folder structure is being revised. MAME and ScummVM will move to their own HDF partitions, which should keep the main installation tidier. It’s not glamorous work, but it matters.

Better support for different Amiga setups

One of the difficult parts of maintaining a package like Amiga Game Selector is the sheer variety of systems it has to support. A real Amiga, a PiStorm machine, WinUAE and an A500 Mini don’t all behave the same way. Version 3.1 appears to recognise that more clearly.

New PiStorm, RetroArch and ECS variables should allow scripts to react more accurately to the chosen platform. PiStorm DOSDrivers and start-up support are also planned for both the ECS and AGA editions.

WinUAE users can expect revised FPU JIT handling, while WHDLoad settings are being adjusted for stronger 68060 compatibility. CompactFlash drivers are moving to version 1.39, and the PCMCIA card buffer is being increased to reduce crashes. HippoPlayer should also perform better on original hardware.

The A500 Mini edition gets its own set of changes. Fast Copper will be enabled for Scorpion Engine games, while MAME is being removed because the hardware simply doesn’t have enough processing power or memory to run it well. That’s the right call. Keeping a feature that performs badly doesn’t help anyone.

A launcher that’s easier to use

The launcher itself is getting plenty of attention. Menus are being cleaned up, categories are being revised and recently added software should become easier to find. A New & Updated section will highlight fresh and revised content. Extra Demos will become a dedicated category, while Extra Games Premium will be renamed Premium Games. IGame is also expected to receive an English-only list.

My Programs will gain support for software stored inside subfolders, which should be useful for anyone with a carefully organised personal collection. There are also fixes for filters, database entries, archive sizes, installation sizes, IGame loading and ADF mounting. Individual games are getting attention too, including Lionheart, Carmageddon, Doom and Sinbad and the Throne of the Falcon. None of those fixes will dominate a promotional trailer. Users will notice them anyway.

Hundreds of new and updated games

The software collection is also growing. The ZX Spectrum section alone is expected to gain roughly 450 titles, alongside a long list of corrections. WHDLoad additions include classic games, newer conversions, remasters and recent Amiga releases. Extra Games will pick up more demos, AGA projects and modern productions.

Premium Games is expected to add Mortal Kombat 3, AmiQuake, AmiQuake 2 and Chocolate Doom. Planned ScummVM additions include Broken Sword, Blade Runner, Cruise for a Corpse and The Curse of Monkey Island. Several bundled tools are being updated as well, including WHDLoad, IGame, HippoPlayer and AmiSSL.

A serious upgrade where it counts

Amiga Game Selector 3.1 still has no confirmed release date, and parts of the feature list may change before it arrives. Even so, its direction already looks promising. This update seems less interested in flashy presentation and more focused on making the whole package work better. It should boot faster, crash less often, handle different hardware more intelligently and make a growing software library easier to use. That’s exactly the kind of upgrade Amiga Game Selector needs.