Your view on emulators.

[Black Watch]

Emulators are NOT illegal. What is illegal is running copyrighted games on it. Unless it is a back up that you made. Of course, it gets a little spotty there because not everyone agrees on that (Google Sony Vs. Geohot).

 

[Tourmeta]

Not all of them are illegal, it's that extra file thing you download next to the emulator to make it work that is illegal. (Doesn't apply to all of them, I think)

Something like that... Can't bother looking it up.

 

[evilneko]

Emulators themselves are not illegal, nor is the distribution of them illegal.

Neither are the roms or CD images. However, the distribution of these IS illegal, as these are protected by copyright law. Even so, they mostly fall into the same category as abandonware: technically illegal, but not enforced very much.

 

[Richardplex]

Same rule as all piracy, as stated by Extra Credits: If you physically can not get them legally, go nuts. and go play mother 3.

 

[The Night Shade]

Great without them i couldn't be able to play a lot of classic games

 

[Elosandi]

If a game is no longer in production and a pre-existing copy would be too hard to find; I support their use. Legality aside I think it's the only reason to use them. I've hunted down games and spent a lot (in some cases triple their original cost) to own them. I've never had to rely on an emulator to get my nostalgia fix. I'm sure it will occur someday though. So I'm going to avoid future hypocrisy by expressing my support now.

There are many reasons why people would use an emulator other than the game no longer being in production. The PSX emulator I use allows me to run it directly off discs and works perfectly well on my laptop. It's far more convenient than having to bring a playstation and a television with me when I go somewhere.

Some people also seem to prefer the improved visuals that it seems to give.


Also, why would the game being in production matter? Emulator or not, you still need to track down the game anyway.

Did you mean if the console is in production? In that case, there are still some fringe examples, such as PSX emulators that required you to actually own one in order to use the Bios files legally.

 

[RA92]

Without emulators I would have never played Eathbound and Herzog Zwei.

Also, DOSBox. Need I say more?

 

[Rockchimp69]

Emulators are legal, pirating a ROM instead of making your own isn't.

That's the US legal view on it, and I agree with this.

But sometimes you can't get hold of old games and the only way to relieve old times is by getting pirated roms?

Obviously the law has to draw the line somewhere but do you have to?

Honestly, I have no problem with piracy if the company is no longer around, can't make money off sales any more because the game is so old, etc. and honestly, I don't think the government would, either.

I have trouble justifying giving what little money I have to giant music corporations and film studios when the people I want to reward for making a good film/song are the creators and people who actually worked on it.

 

[Cheesus333]

If the game's old enough to actually work on or, in fact, require an emulator, then I sincerely doubt anyone will give a shit whether you're paying for it.

 

[The Breadcrab]

I see nothing wrong with them. Yeah, you didn't pay for the game or system, but let's say you want to play some really old and obscure NES game. Much easier and cheaper to emulate it. Besides, it's not like you're interfering with a company's business by emulating NES/SNES/N64 games anyways.

 

[Dragonclaw]

I use emulators because I am a junkie for old arcade games....so I've been using MAME for ages...HOWEVER because I am such a big fan I fully support the guys who make the games I like possible. ANY time an arcade compilation comes out it is a DAY 1 purchase

 

[yohlazy]

my over all view they are ok if you already own the system whats wrong with wanting a portable ps1 on your laptop if you already own one that is stuck at home on a tv a whole family may share.

All the same I don't have any nore have I used any (I always just had a gba or psp for hand held) I am not encouraging them or anything just stating my view...

 

[ZRendZ]

My view on emulations is its fine to play games that are currently no longer distributing (first hand copies), however they shouldn't be making money off of it.

 

[eternal-chaplain]

Illegal or not I am not against them. The other day a very close friend of mine told me his first games were on an emulator played on his father's Mac. You have to at least appreciate them for spreading games across a very scattered community.

 

[starwarsgeek]

I think it should be okay as long as you're emulating either a game you own or a game that cannot be purchased new (games that were never released in your region or older games that haven't been re-released). If you're not downloading something the developers can make money with (even if it's just on virtual console, steam, ect.), then there should not be a problem.

 

[SMR]

The way I see it, any game I'm using an emulator for is out of print, so if I bought it, the money would be going to some random person on eBay and won't affect the company, so there is no issue there in my opinion.

 

[KaizokuouHasu]

I love emulators. I already own a SNES and a PS2, but I still have a SNES emulator and a PSX Emulator. There is a freedom that comes with having a copy of games you already have on disc on the computer as well. For instance; More save spaces!

I wouldn't say I directly approve of emulators as such; it is a software that allows you to play games without the game-makers ever making a penny, which is a shame since their hard work shouldn't go unrewarded. That said; games that are either impossible to get your hands on today, or games that weren't shipped to your country in a language you can understand I don't mind if you get on an emulator. After all; what can you do?

Here's what I say; If you download an emulator and a game ROM but you are financially and physically able to get a hold of the game and console legitimately, at least donate some money to the company that made the jewel you just got your hands on.

 

[jbchillin]

i only use emulators for old games like gameboy and n64. those are old games that are hard to get a hold of. i am against piracy so emulating current generation console games, it's not right in my book. but people do what they want so its not like anybody can stop them.

 

[neonsword13-ops]

I'm not wasting $13,000 dollars on a copy of Earthbound when I could play it for free. That's what emulators ar for.