Unique Game Identifier

Game DB
1

I want to start the discussion about a Unique Game Identifier. This is the Forums discussion around Universal game ID · Issue #7 · 1fpga/retronomicon · GitHub.

Here are some requirements:

  1. MUST be unique for all games
  2. MUST allow for variants based on region, language, revision, etc.
  3. MUST allow for romhacks as well
  4. SHOULD be readable if you know a game.

What I’m offering is a URI scheme with a numeral ID for the game franchise, followed by a path that includes versions, regions, revisions, hack, etc.

Examples

Game IDs

  • game:123/nes/jap. Super Mario (JAP)
  • game:123/nes/jap/1.1. Super Mario (JAP) (Rev 1.1)
  • game:123/nes/jap/1.1?a38933e6379e64d2fdbad595cec0b8c9. Patched Super Mario (JAP) (Rev 1.1). Patches can be added sequentially with +.

ROMs

  • rom:0fd709df061927706f32e7ad34326eae12ee8e8753b04fb1ded3946d04f508f7. Super Mario (JAP) from a ROM file
  • rom:0fd709df061927706f32e7ad34326eae12ee8e8753b04fb1ded3946d04f508f7+a38933e6379e64d2fdbad595cec0b8c9 (notice the plus). Super Mario (JAP) with a patch. There would be duplicates but I think that’s okay.

A resolver website should be able to map between the two.