In what could possibly be the worst way to start October for emulation enthusiasts, as of just a few minutes ago the Ryujinx repository appears to be down, with the usual "404" message being given when trying to enter any of their related GitHub pages. Not even the main Ryujinx developer account seems to be active.

Currently there hasn't been any official reports as to why this occurred. None of the official social media accounts for the emulator have given any response, nor has any of the developers talked about why the repository is down, but we'll be sure to keep you updated whenever any new developments towards this situation are known.

UPDATE #1: Given the nature of the page being down with a 404 message, it's possible that this could be related to the removal of the Ryujinx account, and not a DMCA. If the repository suffered from a DMCA claim, then the DMCA notice would appear when entering the repository. However, that is not the case, and the DMCA listings from GitHub doesn't have any recent entries for Ryujinx.

UPDATE #2: The Ryujinx Discord server has paused invites for the moment, and additionally, one of the Discord mods posted the following message:
"To clarify, it's not a DMCA, it's not an issue with GitHub. Please wait for further information and refrain from spreading misinfo thanks."

UPDATE #3: According to an official statement on Ryujinx's Discord server, developer gdkchan was contacted by Nintendo and they were offered an agreement to stop working on the emulator project, and while the agreement wasn't confirmed yet, the organization has been entirely removed.

UPDATE #4: According to other devs, the developer was not only contacted, but actually tracked down by Nintendo to his location, and pressured to developer to cease and abandon development altogether for the emulator.

This marks now the 2nd and only main remaining Switch emulator that Nintendo has taken down as of today, and without any proper and clear protection when it comes to emulation and preservation down the road, it's likely that Nintendo will continue on its efforts to bring down emulation as a whole.

Ryujinx GitHub Repository

 

[M7L7NK7]

SURELY atmosphere has to be next?

I'm sure if they could've they would've years ago lol

 

[Deleted member 702243]

users when the free software they paid nothing for to pirate current-gen games for free is taken down (the author is a sellout reeee)

 

[mituzora]

To add on to the argument. Bleem! was also developed and sold during the same time the the PS1 was still being developed for. This has nothing to do with legal precedence, but everything to do with Nintendo swinging their big....Lawyers around and intimidating the little guy.

 

[Hide616]

users when the free software they paid nothing for to pirate current-gen games for free is taken down (the author is a sellout reeee)

 

[DJPlace]

wow this is bullshit just FUCK OFF NINTENDO just FUCKETY FUCKETY fuck off....

 

[Subtle Demise]

users when the free software they paid nothing for to pirate current-gen games for free is taken down (the author is a sellout reeee)

What is the starting pay to be a Nintendo astroturfer? Do you contract with other companies too, or just Nintendo? I'm looking for a side job for some extra cash.

 

[Coolsonickirby]

The amount of people here calling gdkchan a "sellout" apparently don't know what it means.

gdkchan has NO obligation to refuse any offer from Nintendo for the sake of a bunch of assholes who believe that they're entitled to what gdkchan has created (FOR FREE BTW). Anyone believing that he's a "sellout" should burn a few hundred dollars each month since they think that anyone can just go and hop into any legal battle easily (especially against a rich company who are known to be aggressive af during legal battles.)

While I'm personally not happy with the result, this is entirely gdkchan's choice. I'm grateful for everything they did (and all those who contributed to the Ryujinx project), and I wish them the best for their future.

 

[17hitcombooo]

The amount of people here calling gdkchan a "sellout" apparently don't know what it means.

gdkchan has NO obligation to refuse any offer from Nintendo for the sake of a bunch of assholes who believe that they're entitled to what gdkchan has created. Anyone believing that he's a "sellout" should burn a few hundred dollars each month since they think that anyone can just go and hop into any legal battle easily (especially against a rich company who are known to be aggressive af during legal battles.)

While I'm personally not happy with the result, this is entirely gdkchan's choice. I'm grateful for everything they did (and all those who contributed to the Ryujinx project), and I wish them the best for their future.

even if the dude said no, nintendo would still try to find something to take it down anyway.

 

[mituzora]

The amount of people here calling gdkchan a "sellout" apparently don't know what it means.

gdkchan has NO obligation to refuse any offer from Nintendo for the sake of a bunch of assholes who believe that they're entitled to what gdkchan has created. Anyone believing that he's a "sellout" should burn a few hundred dollars each month since they think that anyone can just go and hop into any legal battle easily (especially against a rich company who are known to be aggressive af during legal battles.)

I know I didn't say anything about the user being a sellout, but let me clarify that I don't think they're a sellout.

I have no ill will toward the developer of Ryujinx, and chances are, they saw the Yuzu situation unfold and knew the writing was on the walls. I really don't blame their decision at all. I blame Nintendo for all of this by swinging around their lawyers and threatening anyone who even breathes a breath that sounds similar to "switch emulator"

It's sad that Ryujinx is being taken down. but I don't for a second blame the developers by any means. I'm just glad that they gave us something to work with. In fact, I side with them for trying to get paid for their work, without paywalling the releases, allowing people to support them if they wanted to, but not if they didn't.

 

[ItsAshleyFTW]

Hypothetically, Nintendo could sue Robot Chicken because they have Mario characters in some episodes. That would likely be the moment their litigiousness and legal bullying enters the public consciousness and this starts to affect Nintendo's bottom line.

This actually came back to bite Disney in the ass one time when a school was fined $200 for showing The Lion King at a fundraiser. The backlash was so fierce that not only did they apologize, but the CEO actually donated to their fundraiser!

Unless something changes, Nintendo will be just a "well-known gaming company" in the eyes of most folks.

 

[DuoForce]

They really soldout the last switch emulator to big N, RIP

 

[DieHardjagged]

Strangely their Flathub download is still online.

 

[Fumigator]

took longer after yuzu then I thought



also anyone else think its funny it says im a newcomer who just got a 10 year trophy ? got to be the least active/active member how about a trophy for that ?

 

[Xzi]

Well that's both good news and bad news. Bad news for obvious reasons, but good news because there's no reason to shut down Ryujinx now other than Nintendo being worried about it easily forking into a Switch 2 emulator. Which is still likely to happen when other devs decide to take over the project.

 

[Fumigator]

I thought the same thing when yuzu went down, same reason I was surprised this took so long

 

[Error-1-2435-8325]

Oop, there goes my last shred of respect for Nintendo. SEGA on top.

 

[urbanman2004]

Strangely their Flathub download is still online.

Probably b/c it's related to the Linux port

 

[SeventhSon7]

Nintendo has hit the second emulator

 

[RockingDude]

Sorry Nintendo! You've probably gone too far protecting your IP, but combined with your other anti-consumer actions, like expiring vouchers, I think I'm done giving you money.

 

[BlusterBong]

Hypothetically, Nintendo could sue Robot Chicken because they have Mario characters in some episodes. That would likely be the moment their litigiousness and legal bullying enters the public consciousness and this starts to affect Nintendo's bottom line.

This actually came back to bite Disney in the ass one time when a school was fined $200 for showing The Lion King at a fundraiser. The backlash was so fierce that not only did they apologize, but the CEO actually donated to their fundraiser!

Unless something changes, Nintendo will be just a "well-known gaming company" in the eyes of most folks.

Okay and? When they sued pocketpair, they got an almost unanimous support from the Japanese side of twitter for their patent lawsuit and Emulation legality is probably much worse over there given how much stricter copyright is in japan, anyone coding the emulators that arn't made for official purposes probably would be publicly ridiculed in the region if they were taken to court in Japan.