melonDS-android v0.7.0.rc1: Vulkan Release Candidate Testing Begins

Version 0.7.0.rc1 is now available.

Download: https://github.com/SapphireRhodonite/melonDS-android/releases/tag/0.7.0.rc1

This update starts a new release flow for the project.

From now on, I will publish Release Candidates before updating the main release. The goal is to do proper public testing rounds first, collect reports in one place, and catch issues before promoting changes to the main release.

This first RC is especially important because it introduces my Vulkan integration work for melonDS Android.

Testing for each Release Candidate will now be handled through GitHub Discussions:

https://github.com/SapphireRhodonite/melonDS-android/discussions

A dedicated discussion will be opened for each RC so reports stay organized and easy to follow.

Main feature:

Vulkan Integration

• That work covers the Android side integration in the main project plus the renderer/backend side integration in the subproject.

In practice, this means Vulkan is now wired into the frontend flow, settings/configuration, validation, JNI bridge, and Android presentation path, while the subproject contains the Vulkan renderer work itself, including core backend pieces needed to make it function.

I need help from you!

For this RC, I want people to test as many 3D games as possible.

Please compare:

• Software

• OpenGL

• Vulkan

What to report?, Please share any differences you notice between renderers, especially:

• visual differences

• missing effects

• broken geometry

• lighting or fog issues

• performance differences

• crashes

• black screens

• games that work correctly in one renderer but not in another

If possible, include:

• game name

• device model

• Android version

• renderer used

• what looks correct (image)

• what looks wrong (image)

• comparison against another renderer

• screenshots or video if available

How RC testing will work from now on:

Each Release Candidate will have its own GitHub Discussion thread.

That thread will be the main place for feedback, bug reports, game compatibility observations, and renderer comparisons.

This should make testing much easier to track than scattering reports across multiple places.

Additional synced improvements!

This RC also includes a set of upstream improvements from @rafaelvcaetano that I merged into my fork.

They still bring useful fixes and improvements in areas such as renderer stability, dual screen behavior, layout editor work, audio, RetroAchievements, and screenshot handling.

If you test this version, please let me know how it behaves for you, especially in 3D games on vulkan and especially when comparing Software/OpenGL vs Vulkan. Your reports will help a lot!

- Sapphire 💙