Report: Nintendo Intensifies Efforts to Combat Emulation
The development of the Switch emulator Ryujinx has reportedly come to a halt after receiving a notification from Nintendo. Additionally, the company has issued a copyright strike on a YouTube channel that reviews emulated retro handheld devices.
According to Ars Technica, Ryujinx has been taken off GitHub. A developer involved mentioned on social media that 'gdkchan', the emulator's originator, was approached by Nintendo with a proposition to cease the project and eliminate all connected resources.
The aforementioned developer further noted that although they are waiting for a decision on accepting the proposal, the organization's removal suggests a clear outcome.
On another front, the creator of the YouTube channel Retro Game Corps, known for reviewing modern handhelds with emulation capabilities, revealed via a statement that Nintendo has issued a copyright strike against them.
The YouTuber explained that a video regarding the Wii U was removed, resulting in another strike on their channel. Despite being similar to previous content showcasing tech demos and reviews, the creator is contemplating a fair use counterclaim, arguing the material was educational, transformative, and did not impact the market, particularly because the Wii U is no longer sold (the Wii U eShop is also closed, removing any revenue avenue for Nintendo).
However, the creator expressed hesitation about challenging a large corporation, fearing potential legal repercussions. For the time being, they have decided to alter their strategy for future content.
Moving forward, the YouTuber plans to avoid displaying Nintendo games on screen and will blur any existing Nintendo-related visuals as a precautionary step.
The YouTuber acknowledged that this is unfortunate news but emphasized that with two strikes, they are compelled to adjust their approach.
Nintendo’s crackdown on emulators is not unprecedented. Recently, the company filed a lawsuit against Yuzu, leading its developer, Tropic Haze, to a settlement agreement last March, resulting in a $2.4 million payment to Nintendo, as reported here.
