Game settings, launchers & mods
Configure settings, emulators and mod managers to a target.
20 project-authored proposals · taxonomy v1.1 · 0 new benchmark runs. Verifiers and partial-credit rules below are designs, not executed results.
- Typical applications
- Steam · RetroArch · mod managers
- Class GUI-need label
G2· GUI-essential
Task proposals · 20
Expand to inspect the complete original wording and proposed checks. Original proposal text remains English in both interfaces.
R13.03.01.03-T01 Swap A and B for the Gambatte core and save a core remap in RetroArch
Original instruction
RetroArch (desktop) has the Gambatte core and a homebrew Game Boy ROM (input/roms/gb_homebrew.gb) loaded. Using Quick Menu > Controls, swap the A and B buttons for player 1 and save a core remap file (not a game or global remap). This is the GUI half of the pair with T19.
- Platforms
mac· macOSwin· Windowslin· Linux- Applications
- RetroArch
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
CL· CLI-sufficient- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clickkey· Shortcutsnav· Pan/zoom/scroll- Work product
WP08· App/system state- Conditions
- None declared
- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
config/remaps/Gambatte/Gambatte.rmp exists with input_player1_btn_a and _b swapped; no game-level .rmp and retroarch.cfg unchanged. RetroArch's network command interface is disabled; file creation time must fall inside the GUI session with matching menu log lines.
Proposed partial credit
40% A/B swapped; 40% saved as core remap; 20% no global or game remap changes
R13.03.01.03-T02 Set a game to 1280×720 windowed with V-Sync off
Original instruction
Launch the freeware game 'SuperTux' (desktop) and in its Options menu set the video to windowed mode at 1280×720 with V-Sync off and the frame-rate limiter at 60. Apply and quit so the settings save.
- Platforms
mac· macOSwin· Windowslin· Linux- Applications
- SuperTux
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
CL· CLI-sufficient- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicknav· Pan/zoom/scroll- Work product
WP08· App/system state- Conditions
- None declared
- Proposed difficulty
- 2 / 5
Proposed verifier
SuperTux config file parsed: fullscreen false, window size 1280×720, vsync off, fps limit 60. Config edits outside the game are detected by checking the game's own write marker (config timestamp matches quit event).
Proposed partial credit
30% windowed; 30% resolution; 20% V-Sync off; 20% frame limit
R13.03.01.03-T03 Load a savestate slot and save to another slot after moving
Original instruction
RetroArch is running a homebrew NES game with savestate slot 3 prepared. Load state slot 3, move the character one screen to the right, then save the state to slot 4. Leave slot 3 unchanged.
- Platforms
mac· macOSwin· Windowslin· Linux- Applications
- RetroArch
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G3· GUI-only- Interaction primitives
key· Shortcutsclick· Point & clickrt· Real-time control- Work product
WP08· App/system state- Conditions
- None declared
- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
states/ folder: .state4 exists with a newer timestamp than the task start; .state3 hash unchanged; loading .state4 headless shows the player x-screen = slot-3 screen + 1 (RAM read). RetroArch's network command interface is disabled and the agent has no shell; the states folder's writing process is logged, so a state not written by RetroArch is detected.
Proposed partial credit
30% slot 3 loaded; 40% slot 4 saved with progress; 30% slot 3 untouched
R13.03.01.03-T04 Enable a mod and order it below another in Mod Organizer 2
Original instruction
Mod Organizer 2 (Windows, portable instance for a test game profile) lists 12 installed mods. Enable 'Better Lighting' and drag it below 'Texture Overhaul' in the left-pane priority list so it wins file conflicts. Also enable its plugin in the right pane.
- Platforms
win· Windows- Applications
- mod managers · Mod Organizer 2
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G2· GUI-essential- Interaction primitives
drag· Drag & dropclick· Point & click- Work product
WP08· App/system state- Conditions
- None declared
- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
profiles/Default/modlist.txt (written highest priority first) lists '+Better Lighting' before '+Texture Overhaul'; plugins.txt contains '*BetterLighting.esp'. Edits made outside MO2 are detected via MO2's modlist backup timestamps and its log of priority changes.
Proposed partial credit
30% mod enabled; 40% priority order correct; 30% plugin enabled
R13.03.01.03-T05 Set Steam launch options and force a Proton version for a game
Original instruction
Steam (Linux desktop, test account, offline mode) has the free game 'Team Fortress 2' installed. In the game's Properties, set launch options to '-novid -windowed -w 1600 -h 900' and force compatibility tool 'Proton Experimental'. Also disable the Steam Overlay for this game only.
- Platforms
lin· Linux- Applications
- Steam
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G2· GUI-essential- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicktype· Text & forms- Work product
WP08· App/system state- Conditions
- None declared
- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
localconfig.vdf: LaunchOptions string exact and OverlayAppEnable 0 for app 440; config.vdf CompatToolMapping for 440 = proton_experimental. Steam must be running during the edit; VDF edits while Steam is closed are overwritten by the harness check. The agent has no shell, and inotify logs the process writing each VDF, so edits not made by Steam are detected.
Proposed partial credit
40% launch options; 35% compatibility tool; 25% overlay disabled for this game only
R13.03.01.03-T06 Move an installed game to a second Steam library folder
Original instruction
Steam (Windows, test account) has 'Portal' installed in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam. Add D:\SteamLibrary as a new library folder through Settings > Storage, then move Portal there using Steam's Move feature (not file copying), and verify the game still launches.
- Platforms
win· Windows- Applications
- Steam
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G2· GUI-essential- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicknav· Pan/zoom/scroll- Work product
WP08· App/system state- Conditions
- None declared
- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
libraryfolders.vdf lists D:\SteamLibrary with app 400; appmanifest_400.acf located in D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps; files absent from C:. A launch event for 400 after the move appears in Steam logs. Manual copies leave the manifest in C: and fail. The agent has no shell, and Sysmon logs the process writing the VDF and manifest, so edits not made by Steam are detected.
Proposed partial credit
30% library folder added; 50% game moved via Steam; 20% launch verified
R13.03.01.03-T07 Disable cloud sync and set update behaviour for one Steam game
Original instruction
In Steam (macOS, test account), for the game 'Stardew Valley', turn off Steam Cloud synchronisation and set automatic updates to 'Only update this game when I launch it'. Leave other games unchanged.
- Platforms
mac· macOS- Applications
- Steam
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G2· GUI-essential- Interaction primitives
click· Point & click- Work product
WP08· App/system state- Conditions
- None declared
- Proposed difficulty
- 1 / 5
Proposed verifier
appmanifest_413150.acf AutoUpdateBehavior = 1; sharedconfig/localconfig CloudEnabled 0 for 413150; other apps' settings unchanged (diff). The agent has no shell or text editor, and FSEvents logs the process writing each file, so settings not written by Steam are detected.
Proposed partial credit
50% cloud off; 40% update behaviour; 10% others unchanged
R13.03.01.03-T08 Install and deploy five mods with conflict rules in Vortex
Original instruction
Vortex (Windows) manages a test install of a moddable game. Install the 5 local mod archives in input/mods/ (drag them into Vortex), resolve the 3 file conflicts per input/conflict_rules.txt using 'load after' rules, deploy, and sort plugins with LOOT inside Vortex, then move 'PatchHub.esp' last.
- Platforms
win· Windows- Applications
- mod managers · Vortex
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G3· GUI-only- Interaction primitives
drag· Drag & dropclick· Point & clicknav· Pan/zoom/scroll- Work product
WP08· App/system state- Conditions
long· Long-horizon- Proposed difficulty
- 5 / 5
Proposed verifier
Vortex state (state.v2 LevelDB) parsed: 5 mods enabled, mod rules equal conflict_rules.txt; deployment manifest shows the winning file for each conflict; plugins.txt order has PatchHub.esp last. The agent has no shell (PowerShell and cmd blocked by AppLocker), and Sysmon logs the process writing the state and plugins.txt, so edits not made by Vortex are detected.
Proposed partial credit
25% mods installed; 35% conflict rules; 20% deployed correctly; 20% plugin order
R13.03.01.03-T09 Create a separate mod profile with local INI tweaks in Mod Organizer 2
Original instruction
In Mod Organizer 2 (Windows), create profile 'Vanilla+' with profile-specific INI files and saves enabled. In it, enable only the 4 mods listed in input/vanilla_plus.txt, and use MO2's INI editor to set fov=90 and bMouseAcceleration=0 for this profile only.
- Platforms
win· Windows- Applications
- mod managers · Mod Organizer 2
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G2· GUI-essential- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicktype· Text & formsnav· Pan/zoom/scroll- Work product
WP08· App/system state- Conditions
- None declared
- Proposed difficulty
- 4 / 5
Proposed verifier
profiles/Vanilla+/settings.ini has LocalSettings and LocalSaves true; modlist.txt enables exactly the 4 mods; the profile's game INI has the two values; Default profile INIs unchanged. The agent has no shell or text editor, and Sysmon logs the process writing each profile file, so edits not made by MO2 are detected.
Proposed partial credit
25% profile with local options; 35% exact mod set; 30% INI values; 10% Default unchanged
R13.03.01.03-T10 Create a Fabric Minecraft instance with three local mods in Prism Launcher
Original instruction
Prism Launcher (desktop) is installed. Create instance 'Fabric 1.20.1' with Fabric loader, add the 3 mod jars from input/mods/ through the instance's Mods page, set max memory to 4096 MB and select the bundled Java 17 runtime for this instance.
- Platforms
mac· macOSwin· Windowslin· Linux- Applications
- Prism Launcher
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
CL· CLI-sufficient- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clickdrag· Drag & droptype· Text & forms- Work product
WP08· App/system state- Conditions
- None declared
- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
instances/Fabric 1.20.1/mmc-pack.json lists minecraft 1.20.1 and fabric-loader; instance.cfg MaxMemAlloc=4096, OverrideJava true with Java 17 path; .minecraft/mods contains the 3 jars (hash). The agent has no shell, and the process writing the instance files is logged (inotify/FSEvents/Sysmon), so files not written by Prism Launcher are detected.
Proposed partial credit
30% instance with Fabric; 30% mods added; 20% memory; 20% Java override
R13.03.01.03-T11 Configure a CRT shader with integer scaling as a per-core override
Original instruction
In RetroArch with the Snes9x core and a homebrew SNES ROM running, load the shader preset 'crt/crt-royale.slangp', enable integer scaling and aspect ratio 4:3, then save both as a core override and core shader preset (not global).
- Platforms
mac· macOSwin· Windowslin· Linux- Applications
- RetroArch
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
CL· CLI-sufficient- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicknav· Pan/zoom/scrollvis· Visual judgment- Work product
WP08· App/system state- Conditions
- None declared
- Proposed difficulty
- 4 / 5
Proposed verifier
config/Snes9x/Snes9x.cfg contains video_scale_integer=true and aspect ratio index for 4:3; config/Snes9x/Snes9x.slangp references crt-royale; retroarch.cfg unchanged; no game-level overrides. RetroArch's network command interface is disabled, the agent has no shell, and the config files' writing process is logged, so files not written by RetroArch are detected.
Proposed partial credit
35% shader preset at core level; 35% override values; 30% global config untouched
R13.03.01.03-T12 Map a keyboard controller and per-game graphics in Dolphin
Original instruction
Dolphin emulator (desktop) with a homebrew GameCube demo in the game list. Configure GameCube Controller port 1 as Standard Controller mapped to keyboard per input/mapping.png, and in the game's Properties set internal resolution 3× native and widescreen hack on for this game only.
- Platforms
mac· macOSwin· Windowslin· Linux- Applications
- Dolphin
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
CL· CLI-sufficient- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clickkey· Shortcutsvis· Visual judgment- Work product
WP08· App/system state- Conditions
- None declared
- Proposed difficulty
- 4 / 5
Proposed verifier
Config/GCPadNew.ini [GCPad1] bindings equal the image's mapping (12 inputs); GameSettings/<ID>.ini has EFBScale=3 (or InternalResolution=3) and wideScreenHack=True; GFX.ini global values unchanged. The agent has no shell or text editor, and the process writing each INI is logged (inotify/FSEvents/Sysmon), so files not written by Dolphin are detected.
Proposed partial credit
50% scaled by correct bindings; 30% per-game graphics; 20% global untouched
R13.03.01.03-T13 Install a DRM-free Windows game on Linux with Lutris and DXVK
Original instruction
Lutris (Linux desktop) is installed. Add the DRM-free installer input/installers/setup_freeware_game.exe as a new Wine game in prefix ~/Games/freeware, run the installer through Lutris, enable DXVK and set the Wine version to the bundled 'wine-ge' runner, and create a desktop shortcut.
- Platforms
lin· Linux- Applications
- Lutris
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G2· GUI-essential- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicktype· Text & formsnav· Pan/zoom/scroll- Work product
WP08· App/system state- Conditions
- None declared
- Proposed difficulty
- 4 / 5
Proposed verifier
Lutris pga.db has the game entry; its YAML config has wine.version = wine-ge, dxvk true, prefix path; installed executable exists in the prefix; .desktop file present in ~/.local/share/applications. The agent has no shell, and inotify logs the process writing pga.db, the YAML and the .desktop file, so files not written by Lutris are detected.
Proposed partial credit
25% game entry; 30% installer completed; 25% runner and DXVK; 20% shortcut
R13.03.01.03-T14 Add a local game to GOG Galaxy with custom launch arguments
Original instruction
GOG Galaxy 2.0 (Windows, test account offline) has a DRM-free game installed at D:\Games\Freeware. Add it via 'Add game manually' > 'Add a locally installed game', set custom launch arguments '-skipintro -lang en' and a custom tag 'Backlog'.
- Platforms
win· Windows- Applications
- GOG Galaxy
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G3· GUI-only- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicktype· Text & forms- Work product
WP08· App/system state- Conditions
- None declared
- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
galaxy-2.0.db (SQLite) has the game in the local library with the executable path, PlayTasks arguments exact, and tag 'Backlog' in UserReleaseTags. The agent has no shell (PowerShell and cmd blocked by AppLocker, no sqlite3), and Sysmon logs the process writing the database, so edits not made by GOG Galaxy are detected.
Proposed partial credit
40% game added; 40% launch arguments; 20% tag
R13.03.01.03-T15 Create a per-game frame cap in the GPU control panel
Original instruction
On the Windows test machine with an NVIDIA GPU, open NVIDIA Control Panel > Manage 3D settings > Program Settings, add D:\Games\Freeware\game.exe and set Max Frame Rate 60 and Low Latency Mode On for it only. Global settings must stay unchanged.
- Platforms
win· Windows- Applications
- NVIDIA Control Panel
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G2· GUI-essential- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicknav· Pan/zoom/scroll- Work product
WP08· App/system state- Conditions
- None declared
- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
Driver profile exported with NVIDIA Profile Inspector in the harness: a profile containing game.exe with FRL = 60 and low-latency setting On; Base profile unchanged. Profile Inspector runs only in the harness, and PowerShell and cmd are blocked by AppLocker for the agent, so the driver profile cannot be set through NVAPI tools.
Proposed partial credit
30% program profile created; 40% frame cap; 20% low latency; 10% global untouched
R13.03.01.03-T16 Build a Steam Input layout with back-button and gyro bindings
Original instruction
Steam (Windows, Big Picture or desktop controller UI) with a virtual Steam Deck-style controller profile for 'Portal 2'. Create a layout: right back grip = Crouch (Ctrl), left back grip = Use (E), gyro enabled as mouse only while the right trackpad is touched, and save it as personal layout 'Portal2-Gyro'.
- Platforms
win· Windows- Applications
- Steam
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G2· GUI-essential- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicknav· Pan/zoom/scrollvis· Visual judgment- Work product
WP08· App/system state- Conditions
- None declared
- Proposed difficulty
- 4 / 5
Proposed verifier
steamapps/common/Steam Controller Configs/<id>/config/620/*.vdf parsed: binding for grips as specified; gyro activator = right trackpad touch; layout title 'Portal2-Gyro'. The agent has no shell or text editor, and Sysmon logs the process writing the layout VDF, so a file not written by Steam is detected.
Proposed partial credit
30% grips bound; 40% gyro with touch activation; 30% saved under name
R13.03.01.03-T17 Create, edit and export a mod profile in r2modman
Original instruction
r2modman (desktop) for a supported game. Create profile 'Coop-Light', import the local modpack zip input/coop_pack.r2z, disable the mod 'HeavyShaders', update nothing, and export the profile as a code-free file input/out/coop_light.r2z.
- Platforms
win· Windowslin· Linux- Applications
- mod managers · r2modman
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
G3· GUI-only- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicknav· Pan/zoom/scroll- Work product
WP08· App/system state- Conditions
- None declared
- Proposed difficulty
- 3 / 5
Proposed verifier
Profile folder exists with mods.yml listing all pack mods, HeavyShaders enabled: false; exported .r2z manifest equals the profile; mod versions identical to the pack (no updates). The agent has no shell, and the process writing the profile and export is logged (inotify/Sysmon), so files not written by r2modman are detected.
Proposed partial credit
25% profile created; 30% pack imported; 25% mod disabled; 20% export correct
R13.03.01.03-T18 Tune graphics settings to reach 60 fps in a built-in benchmark
Original instruction
The open-source RTS '0 A.D.' (desktop) has a test map with a built-in profiler overlay. Adjust graphics options so the average frame rate over a 60-second scripted camera run is ≥ 60 fps on this VM while keeping texture quality 'High' and shadows enabled. Save the settings.
- Platforms
win· Windowslin· Linuxmac· macOS- Applications
- 0 A.D.
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
CL· CLI-sufficient- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clickvis· Visual judgmentnav· Pan/zoom/scroll- Work product
WP08· App/system state- Conditions
- None declared
- Proposed difficulty
- 4 / 5
Proposed verifier
user.cfg parsed: texture quality high, shadows true. Harness runs the replay benchmark with the saved settings: mean fps ≥ 60. Changing resolution below 1280×720 is disallowed. The agent has no shell, and the process writing user.cfg is logged (inotify/FSEvents/Sysmon), so settings not saved from the game's Options are detected.
Proposed partial credit
30% constraints kept; 70% scaled by mean fps from 30 to 60
R13.03.01.03-T19 Control: write the Gambatte core remap file directly
Original instruction
Control pair of T01. With RetroArch closed, create config/remaps/Gambatte/Gambatte.rmp in a text editor or shell so player 1's A and B are swapped, matching what RetroArch's Controls menu would save. Do not change retroarch.cfg.
- Platforms
mac· macOSwin· Windowslin· Linux- Applications
- RetroArch
- Interfaces
term· Terminal- GUI need · task setting
CL· CLI-sufficient- GUI need · ordinary access
CL· CLI-sufficient- Interaction primitives
code· Code & commandstype· Text & forms- Work product
WP08· App/system state- Conditions
- None declared
- Proposed difficulty
- 2 / 5
Proposed verifier
Same checks as T01: .rmp swaps A/B, loads without error in RetroArch headless, retroarch.cfg unchanged. Used as the CLI control to measure the GUI gap.
Proposed partial credit
60% correct remap keys; 20% loads in RetroArch; 20% global config untouched
R13.03.01.03-T20 Set up a RetroArch library of homebrew ROMs with playlists and thumbnails
Original instruction
RetroArch with cores installed. Scan input/homebrew/ (30 homebrew ROMs for GB, NES, SNES, Genesis) into per-system playlists, set the default core for each playlist, manually add 3 ROMs that the scanner misses with Manual Scan, assign the provided boxart PNGs as thumbnails, and disable netplay discovery.
- Platforms
mac· macOSwin· Windowslin· Linux- Applications
- RetroArch
- Interfaces
desk· Desktop GUI- GUI need · task setting
G2· GUI-essential- GUI need · ordinary access
CL· CLI-sufficient- Interaction primitives
click· Point & clicknav· Pan/zoom/scrolltype· Text & forms- Work product
WP08· App/system state- Conditions
long· Long-horizon- Proposed difficulty
- 5 / 5
Proposed verifier
playlists/*.lpl JSON: 30 entries across 4 playlists with correct system grouping and default_core_path per playlist; thumbnails present in thumbnails/<playlist>/Named_Boxarts with names matching entry labels; retroarch.cfg netplay_public_announce false. The agent has no shell, and the writing process of each file is logged, so files not written by RetroArch are detected.
Proposed partial credit
35% entries and grouping; 35% default cores and manual-scan entries; 20% thumbnails; 10% netplay off
Mapped research references
No benchmark reference is assigned to this class in the current mapping.