Emulation - The Legalities, Ethics, Benefits and Drawbacks

[Pemalite]

Oneeee-Chan!!! said:
Is it easy to emulate cell CPU ?

Doesn't seem to be holding emulation back that's for sure. PS3 emulation is farther along than Xbox 360 emulation.

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What are your views on emulation?
In full support. It preserves software, games and ecosystems, it brings games to a wider audience that otherwise might not have been able to experience said games... And allows people to revisit nostalgic eras in gaming. 

What benefits does emulation provide?
Better graphics, mods, online multiplayer (For games that don't have it), homebrew and more. 

Does it impact game sales?
Probably not to any great degree. Emulation rarely works with newer platforms and newer games, it usually takes time. (The WiiU being an exception to the rule.) Console sales usually drop-off to being non-existent after the initial release window. 

How do game creators feel about this?
I don't think it matters how they feel? It's going to happen whether they like it or not. They either embrace it, or face a loosing battle. 

What are the legalities and ethics around emulation?
Emulation is perfectly legal. Acquiring the games is where the legality issues resides. In Australia and many European nations it is perfectly legal to make duplicate copies of software/games for personal use, however... Those same rights don't extend to countries like the UK, USA or Canada. 

What percentage of those that use emulators are engaged in privacy?
Well. I would hope everyone is engaged in privacy. Most countries frown upon those who are perverts. 

Are there sources of data to support this?
The Bleem vs Sony precedent. Sony lost against the Bleem emulator on all accounts, cementing the idea that Emulation is perfectly legal. 

Let's discuss this!  Keep it civil, please.
You are not my real mother, you can't tell me what to do. :P

estebxx said:

To be honest i dont know anyone in real life who actually owned a game he or she was emulating... everyone was just pirating...

Are there people who own the game and are just emulating? sure there must be, but im yet to find the first one (thats not some comment on the internet).

I own all the games I emulate. Sometimes I even own multiple copies of a game.
For example I own a copy of Perfect Dark on the Nintendo 64, Xbox 360 (Digital via Arcade) and Xbox One (Disc via Rare collection). And will thus Emulate it on PC too.