Emulators

Hi guys SighFye here.

I have been thinking recently about emulators. For those that do not know, an emulator is a program that imitates a machine. For example a SNES emulator will imitate a Super Nintendo. You can then get the ROM's (games) for them and play the games. My thoughts recently are whether or not they are wrong to use.

My first thought of course was that using them is piracy and piracy is illegal. Piracy is illegal because it takes away money not only from the developers or creators of the digital product, but also the industry itself. But does emulating a 2 decade old system (SNES) really do that anymore.

I can understand emulating the PS3, PS4. Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii, Wii U and other recent consoles would do this. You can still buy new games from the store and then the industry gets their profits. However, with a retro system, they no longer sell the games or consoles new. You can only get your hands on these second hand. So the money you spend getting these systems and games no longer goes to the industry. So where is the harm?

In my opinion, using emulators of decade old systems keeps those games alive. If I was a games developer I would be proud to see it since I have already made all the profits I could make.

I want you to know that I am NOT endorsing illegal behaviour in any manner. Downloading of ROM's is ILLEGAL and should not be done. I am just asking where does the harm lie if it were to be done for a retro system?

Leave a comment below. I would be interested to hear your thoughts on this.

SighFye