The developers behind “RPCS3”, a popular PlayStation 3 emulator, have been dealt a DMCA request from Atlus, an action that was likely brought on by the developer group heavily advertising the fact that their software is capable of running Persona 5.
The developer’s website and Patreon page were temporarily affected by this DMCA, with Atlus claiming that the emulator’s ability to run Persona 5 is an infringement of their IP – though this argument was not enough to force Patreon to shut down the group’s account.
However, it seems Atlus were more concerned over the poor quality of the emulator rather than the legality of the matter (or at least are cunningly spinning it this way rather than seem Nintendo-tier killjoy rights-holders), as shown by their statement on the issue via their official website:
“We believe that our fans best experience our titles (like Persona 5) on the actual platforms for which they are developed.
We don’t want their first experiences to be framerate drops, or crashes, or other issues that can crop up in emulation that we have not personally overseen.
We understand that many Persona fans would love to see a PC version. And while we don’t have anything to announce today, we are listening!
For now, the best way to experience Persona 5 is on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3.”
Atlus concluded by stating that they appreciated the publicity generated by the event, which may have been their incentive the whole time:
“We appreciate the awareness generated by the emulation community for Persona 5 and know that it is a fantastic example of how much people are loving our game. We want to keep bringing you titles like Persona 5.
Unfortunately, when our content is illegally circumvented and potentially made available for free, in a format we do not think delivers the experience and quality we intend, it undermines our ability to do so by diverting potential support from new audiences.
We want to continue having a dialogue about where and how you would like to play our games. Please let us know what you think.”
The RPCS3 team addressed the take-down claims in a Reddit thread, stating that they are skeptical of Atlus and their argument that Persona 5 should not be available to players on PC since those using the emulator must dump their own legal copy of the game:
“Why Atlus would choose this time to target this project will probably never be known.
We choose not to speculate about the reasons at this time and hope for there to be open communication with Atlus.
We firmly believe we operate within a legal framework and will continue to work on RPCS3, undeterred.”
The official RPCS3 website and Patreon account are both still available but have removed all mention of Persona 5.
So they know we want Persona on PC yet they won’t sell it to us. Then they get upset when we find other ways of obtaining the game they refuse to sell us. Seems silly to me.
Games are hostages and console manufacturers are terrorist. You would be pissed as well if people find a different way to retrieve the hostage without paying the ransom.
I wouldn’t be pissed because I’m not a terrorist and I’m sure most people would be happy with me If I got the hostages out without paying any ransom.
Seems like something Sony would be doing vs a third party developer.
Still the nature of the suit shows just how flawed DMCA is and why it should be repealed.
Sony would never do this because the 2 times in the past they tried, they failed making legal precedent that emulation is legal in their cases against Connectix Virtual Game Station and Bleem. The only reasons why these emus left market though is because Sony bought out VGS and the lawsuits against Bleem bankrupted the company through legal fees.
Imagine you could build a device that let’s you unlock and start any car on the street. Not illegal I guess but do you think people would just let you advertise it and make money off it?
No, it’s more like, imagine a device that lets you clone any car on the street and drive off in it.
Imagine a device you can hold in your hand, that lets you injure or kill another human being.
Not illegal I guess but do you think people would just let you advertise it and make money off it?
I’m thinking, yeah….
“America”
I didnt realize America was the only place a deadly weapon was allowed to be
Or do you think guns are the only things that can hurt people?
What about knives, bats, cars, acid, poison.
Ah, that’s true I guess, can never understand America.
Bring it to PC = problem solved.
back off, steam slave! play your s♥♥t and don’t touch console games with your filthy hands :/
“framerate drops, or crashes, or other issues”
Every PC port ever.
f♥♥k Atlus.
f♥♥k piracy and emulator retards that pretend they are not doing any illegal stuff.