I do agree the whole “oh no I’m just emulating to preserve games that can’t be acquired otherwise” excuse cringy.
I emulate everything, because I want to. Because piracy is cool. Because I want the entire ROM set. I’ll pirate everything, I don’t give a shit, I don’t have noble reasons. Intellectual property means nothing to me.
I don’t think they are arguing against preservation though, they are criticizing a specific type of person who is opposed to unofficial emulation unless it’s the only option. There are a shocking number of people out there who will avoid options that are both cheaper and higher quality than official means of playing games just because they respect IP rights.
I do agree the whole “oh no I’m just emulating to preserve games that can’t be acquired otherwise” excuse cringy.
I emulate everything, because I want to. Because piracy is cool. Because I want the entire ROM set. I’ll pirate everything, I don’t give a shit, I don’t have noble reasons. Intellectual property means nothing to me.
Refusing to respect intellectual property is a noble enough reason all on its own
Either reason is fine.
there are a whole shitload of lost films from early cinema and even TV shows as late as whatever doctor who episodes are missing
mainline pokemon isn’t in danger of becoming lost media but a bunch of other stuff is or has been lost.
I don’t think they are arguing against preservation though, they are criticizing a specific type of person who is opposed to unofficial emulation unless it’s the only option. There are a shocking number of people out there who will avoid options that are both cheaper and higher quality than official means of playing games just because they respect IP rights.