Emulation: Piracy or Desperation?

 

By: Safwan Hakim - April 11, 2023

Definition

Before anything else, we must first discuss what the word "emulation" represents. Due to many standardized definitions by official and non-official parties, the raw term of emulation has been lost in misinterpretations. In short, emulation is the process by which a program can replicate the actions of another software in order to run that particular software's applications. Emulators are the programs which accomplishes this task. An example of this is RetroArch which can replicate a whole array of devices. Most emulations are done to replicate video game consoles. However, there are examples where even computers are replicated in myriads of devices like Sysnova in Bangladesh which was used to provide computers in rural areas as a way to have access to computers. For the purpose of this blog, we will mostly be looking at emulators which are used to incorporate video games. With the meaning out of the way, let us move on.

Process

While the total technicality is hard to describe without involving complex series of codes and scientific words, the shortened explanation is much easier to understand. Emulators are essentially the mediums and not the main content. They are simply a platform to run the ROMs (read only memory). These ROMs are applications which represent a certain software. For transparency, let us use RetroArch again as an example. With its help, we can build a platform through it which allows us to run applications such as video games. A chart detailing the process in computer science terms is below. The problem arises here: emulation is essentially a process to have access to these media while bypassing the payment to their respective copyrighted owners.

Piracy?

The rise of emulations began in 1990s when the piracy of media applications became popular. The original purpose of emulations was not to pirate video games. In fact, it was done to have a new method of playing such video games in other platforms. The first emulators necessitated the need for the real hardware and software to prove the user owned the setup in question. However, the hardware to play such video games became a soft-copy converted feature which was added to emulators and the video games themselves containing the files of the ROM became public on the Internet. It gave an alternative way of experiencing things for consumers without the need to fork over money. What was the need to buy consoles capable of running hardware when one can simply download an emulator? What was the need to buy video games when one can simply install a ROM containing the same files from a website? These two questions paved the way for piracy. Mind you, the emulators themselves are not illegal. Its the ROM files which causes legal consequences. This is why we can freely mention emulators like RetroArch and Sysnova while mentioning websites containing ROM files is discouraged and in some cases, prohibited. The two acting together is what we refer to as the process of emulation. To this day, emulation is being done in droves. However, to simply label the users as pirates without seeing the bigger picture would be an error of judgement. 

Desperation?

Before we talk about the morality of the situation, let us see some prices of old software. It is natural to want to experience some old media for games since they have historic values to them. Here are the prices for some of them in eBay which is the best place one can fine them online. Note that they are not pre-owned to ensure the best quality.

#Pokemon Emerald - original retail price $35

#Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance - original retail price $50

#The Legend of Zelda - original retail price $60

As you can see, the prices of these items have skyrocketed in recent times. A big reason for this is the fact the game companies are not manufacturing and selling them on the market anymore. Furthermore, the money that will be used to purchase them will not go to the company making them. They go to the previous owner. Essentially, this is scalping (the process of reselling for a higher price). With nowhere to go, those who cannot afford such a price hike opt to go for emulation to experience these classics and many more.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, emulation is definitely a part of piracy since it is basically theft. However, who is being robbed? The video game companies who no longer sell them? The people making the games who do not get paid from extra sales? The resellers who sell them for exorbitant prices to exploit consumers? Or the consumers who chose to pay such prices? Emulation is simply a means to an end. The ones to blame are the people.

SAFWAN HAKIM

is a student of BRAC University who is currently in Computer Science department. He likes to read Japanese manga(comics), visual novels, light novels, watch anime(cartoons) and take part is thought provoking discussions. He is a an enthusiast of the fantasy, mystery and psychological genres. He enjoys candies and playing video games as well.