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147 Nintendo Obliterates the Yuzu Switch Emulator in $2.4 Million Settlement

Episode Summary

Plus: What it's like to be in the same room as Stardew creator ConcernedApe.

Episode Notes

The Switch emulator Yuzu has been in development since 2018, allowing hobbyists to play Nintendo software on PCs and Steam Decks, often at higher resolutions and frame rates. But the trappings around Yuzu — including a Patreon that raked in $30,000 per month, and specific updates encouraging users to emulate "Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom" —  have finally triggered the wrath of Nintendo's lawyers. This week's settlement of the lawsuit compels Yuzu's creator to terminate the project (along with 3DS emulator Citra), post a public apology, and pay Nintendo damages of $2.4 million. We discuss the ramifications of the settlement and the future of responsible community-driven emulation projects.

Plus, a mental health check in, some very special gems lingering from Steam Next Fest, seeing ConcernedApe (Eric Barone) in NYC, and why "Unicorn Overlord" might be the best tactics RPG ever made.