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Microsoft formally bans emulators on Xbox, Windows 10 download shops

arstechnica.com

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Re: Microsoft formally bans emulators on Xbox, Windows 10 download shops

#21

Post by TelmoMenezes »

ysavir wrote: post #7

I guess in 10-20 years we will be telling our grandchildren about the old days, where you can do whatever you want on your computer, limited only the abilities of the hardware* . And they won't believe us. *Simplification, of course.

Not sure why the parent is being downvoted. Perhaps people don't like the read the truth, perhaps they are too young to remember a time of more computational freedom and openness.

The majority of "computers" people own are already locked down, and it seems clear that things will only get worse -- hardware is increasingly opaque and designed to do things against the interest of the user (or, to say the least, without the consent of the user).

Re: Microsoft formally bans emulators on Xbox, Windows 10 download shops

#22

Post by throwaway2048 »

TazeTSchnitzel wrote: post #11
watty wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So do "Virtual Consoles" which are releasing more and more past games on different platforms and charging for it. I'm guessing if emulators weren't so rampant on the PC then companies like Nintendo would have or would think about creating a Virtual Console on PC for NES/SNES/N64, etc.

…why would Nintendo port their old games to the PC? They develop almost exclusively for their own platforms.

This logic works in the fantasy land that many gamers occupy where its pirates and hackers that cause all gamings ills.

Nintendo is a badly managed company that refuses to do or release things differently, its about the pirates you see.

Activision has aggressively anti consumer practices that including spying on users, and disallowing private servers, must be because of the hackers you see.

Many fanboys have a pathological inability to recognise that the objects of their devotion make stupid decisions, it always must be because of some other evil force.

Re: Microsoft formally bans emulators on Xbox, Windows 10 download shops

#23

Post by jasonkostempski »

watty wrote: post #5
Fej wrote: post #2

It's not surprising, but still disappointing. Emulators preserve games of eras past.

So do "Virtual Consoles" which are releasing more and more past games on different platforms and charging for it. I'm guessing if emulators weren't so rampant on the PC then companies like Nintendo would have or would think about creating a Virtual Console on PC for NES/SNES/N64, etc.

"Virtual Consoles" do not preserve all games of eras past, they have licensing issues to deal with. Luckily the Microsoft /App/Play/Game Store will never be the only options for software distribution.

Re: Microsoft formally bans emulators on Xbox, Windows 10 download shops

#25

Post by inetknght »

hacker_9 wrote: post #18
dovdovdov wrote: post #16

Holy poop, and I thought Apple is being quirky with its App Store! Compared to the Xbox side and its costs, the App Store app review is a walk in the park. I might understand this for AAA titles, but for indies this must be a nightmare.

They probably have bad memories of their last indie store on Xbox 360 which, if you visited it, was full of tutorial games and dating apps...

And Microsoft couldn't employ a few people to curate and administer this service?

Re: Microsoft formally bans emulators on Xbox, Windows 10 download shops

#26

Post by ysavir »

kminehart wrote: post #9
ysavir wrote: post #7

I guess in 10-20 years we will be telling our grandchildren about the old days, where you can do whatever you want on your computer, limited only the abilities of the hardware* . And they won't believe us. *Simplification, of course.

No one has to put up with this though. Use free software and gain control over your computer again.

Yes, I believe that these alternatives will always be available. But it has also been made apparent that the larger part of the consumer base is not interested in the alternatives; they are interested in the mainstream. And the mainstream will always bend in its own favor.

Re: Microsoft formally bans emulators on Xbox, Windows 10 download shops

#27

Post by jasonkostempski »

douche wrote: post #10

I don't know about XBox, but does anybody actually use anything from the Windows Store? The only app that I have gotten is the SlingTV app, except I ditched it for the older native app, because the UWP Store one was so hideously broken and slow.

I tried Netflix and Hulu, both were horrible. Minecraft for Windows 10 was kind of cool since my kid always played on the iPad and I hated playing on my phone but now he's on PC.

Re: Microsoft formally bans emulators on Xbox, Windows 10 download shops

#28

Post by SXX »

dovdovdov wrote: post #16

Holy poop, and I thought Apple is being quirky with its App Store! Compared to the Xbox side and its costs, the App Store app review is a walk in the park. I might understand this for AAA titles, but for indies this must be a nightmare.

At least in past it's was nightmare for everyone. For Xbox360 for instance Microsoft charged developers $40,000 per patch:

http://kotaku.com/5884842/wait-it-costs-40000-to-patch-a-con...

Re: Microsoft formally bans emulators on Xbox, Windows 10 download shops

#29

Post by thegeomaster »

ysavir wrote: post #7

I guess in 10-20 years we will be telling our grandchildren about the old days, where you can do whatever you want on your computer, limited only the abilities of the hardware* . And they won't believe us. *Simplification, of course.

Your comment reminds me of this dystopian essay, written by Richard Stallman 20 years ago: https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/right-to-read.en.html

Re: Microsoft formally bans emulators on Xbox, Windows 10 download shops

#30

Post by [deleted] »

TelmoMenezes wrote: post #21
ysavir wrote: post #7

I guess in 10-20 years we will be telling our grandchildren about the old days, where you can do whatever you want on your computer, limited only the abilities of the hardware* . And they won't believe us. *Simplification, of course.

Not sure why the parent is being downvoted. Perhaps people don't like the read the truth, perhaps they are too young to remember a time of more computational freedom and openness. The majority of "computers" people own are already locked down, and it seems clear that things will only get worse -- hardware is increasingly opaque and designed to do things against the interest of the user (or, to say the least, without…

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