Nintendo Takes Action to Shut Down Another Popular Switch Emulator Ryujinx
Nintendo may have succeeded in eliminating both of the most notable Switch emulators, marking a critical victory in its quest to suppress game emulation. Initially, in February, they sued Yuzu, arguing it bypassed technological measures to deter piracy, leading to Yuzu’s cessation and a substantial financial settlement. Now, Ryujinx seems to have met a similar fate after its lead developer, gdkchan, received an apparently compelling offer from Nintendo. This is prepared by SSP.
As per a message from developer and moderator ripinperiperi on Discord, Nintendo approached gdkchan, proposing an agreement to cease work on Ryujinx and dismantle its related assets. Following this, Ryujinx’s download links have vanished, and its GitHub repository has been deleted. The emulator’s future endeavors, including promising ports and performance enhancements, are left unfulfilled.
While acknowledging the value of emulation for preserving games, some believe Nintendo’s aggressive legal tactics will dissuade other developers. Nintendo has previously shown an unforgiving approach, exemplified by their severe penalties against emulator creator Gary Bowser and their aggressive pursuit of copyright violations. They recently forced prominent YouTuber RetroGameCorps to stop showcasing Nintendo games after filing multiple copyright strikes.
Ripinperiperi’s farewell message emphasized a potential bright side, hoping the wider coding community may sustain Ryujinx, even as forks of the code begin to surface on platforms like Reddit. However, it's evident Nintendo remains focused on extinguishing any immediate revival attempts.
The situation with Ryujinx is eerily reminiscent of the Yuzu episode, underscoring Nintendo’s extensive reach and determination. Discussions among the emulator community even speculate whether gdkchan accepted a substantial payout—a theory fueled by the phrasing of the shutdown agreements—but the consensus remains doubtful given Nintendo’s historically stern negotiations.
This crackdown showcases Nintendo's relentless stance on emulation, creating a chilling effect that might curb similar projects. Yet enthusiasts hold out hope that grassroots efforts will continue game preservation, despite the legal risks. In the words of ripinperiperi, preserving the future gaming heritage may ultimately rest in the hands of determined individuals committed to digital history.