PixelPal Devlog: New Direction & Major Terminal Rework! (Development Paused)

Hi everyone, Creator X here!

This is a big update on PixelPal. I've made the decision to officially pause further development on the current iteration as I pivot to an entirely new direction.

It has been a blast working on this version, and the changes I've made recently are massive. In fact, they've been so transformative that they've pushed the project into a new phase.

✨ What's Changed? A Complete Rebuild!

The biggest news is that I've completely rebuilt PixelPal to run fully in the terminal using Textual! It's leaner, faster, and much more versatile.

Here are the key improvements and fixes that went into this final version:

• 🧠 Local AI Integration:
  • The model functionality now works flawlessly. Just point it to your model folder.
  • It's currently configured to use a lightweight model: qwen2.5-1.5b-instruct-q4_k_m.gguf. Small model, big potential!
  • Queen the AI's personality has been fine-tuned for a more engaging experience.
• 🕹️ Simplified Game Library:
  • We've added a new, simplified game library system.
  • All you need to do is copy your ROM folder into the location of the PixelPal application in your system's config. Just click "Browse" within the app, and it will point you straight there!
  • The application now auto-generates an onboard database and configuration file.
• ⚡ New Terminal Commands:
  • /recommend: Get game recommendations straight from your library.
  • /stats: Instantly pull up your system statistics.
• 💻 System & Feature Fixes:
  • Fixed up the idle monitor timer, adding a few extra seconds for better accuracy.
  • Added support for a large number of new ROM compatibility formats.
  • The emulator page has been cleaned up and fixed.
  • Added a purge functionality for the knowledge base training—start fresh whenever you need to!
• 🌐 Web Simulation Fun:
  • Check out the PixelPal OS for the web! It's a simulated environment (with basic system monitoring included).
  • Try the command /launch game to see what happens!

🔓 Unlock the Download!

To gain access to the download, you will need to play and pass the simple mini-game on the page. (Don't worry, you should be able to clear it!)

What's Next for PixelPal?

As mentioned, a major change has necessitated a different direction for the project. I'll be focusing PixelPal on new content and a new mission, which might even involve a complete relabeling.

PixelPal will be officially paused in its current form as I evolve it into its next phase or apply the tool's core functionality somewhere new.

Thank you all again for testing this tool out and providing feedback! I'm excited to share the next iteration of this concept with you down the line.

Regards, Creator X