Nintendo has a history of going after sites/groups distributing their copyrighted material like rom sites and fan games, not emus because they don't break copyright. I'm sure the devs are smart enough to know the potential dangers of what they're doing so again your first paragraph doesn't really make much sense.
If ever there was a time for Nintendo to reconsider that stance, it is when a group is actively trying to emulate both of their current gen systems simultaneously. I'm certain they know the potential dangers too - that's precisely the point.
Try to see this from Nintendo's point of view. If they perceive this group as a big enough threat (they most certainly perceive them as *a* threat), at a certain point, they're going to take steps to protect their interests. Morality and technical legality take a back seat in the courtroom, where money is power. If Nintendo decides to throw enough money at this to 'make an example out of them,' it could wreck things for the entire emulation community, because then others will fear developing new emulators. All Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft need is one case of legal precedent, and then we're all screwed. Don't you think it would be wiser to develop this emulator behind the scenes, then release it after Nintendo comes out with a new system?
Again, there's a line there somewhere. It doesn't even have to be a 'moral' line, it can be one of 'common sense' if you prefer. These guys are walking right up to it with impunity and sticking their right foot over it, just to see how far they can take it. If we can't agree that testing and pushing the boundaries until they eventually and inevitably break as a potential problem, then there's no point in discussing the matter further. The companies will eventually fight back, and they have every right to when their interests are threatened in a very real way. They may even collaborate to make it happen. I don't feel passionately about it either way - it's just how I see it.
Just because an emulator is being developed for a system still on the market doesn't mean it's not about preservation. If anything it's the best time to start development and research since interest in the system will be high meaning plenty of user feedback to improve functionality and for open source projects, more potential devs to contribute. The availability of the games in stores also means it's easier for devs (and users) to legally acquire the games for use with the emu.
Valid points.
Nope, still not the dev's responsibility at all and there's nothing they can do about it even if they wanted to w/o sacrificing the accuracy/quality of the project. The goal of the emu is mimic the functionality of the original console. That means running genuine game images. A valid dump is a valid dump so there's no way to discern whether someone dumped an image from the game they personally purchased or if they're using the one they obtained from their friend or some random person upped to the net. Your drug dealer example isn't even remotely comparable to emulation in the slightest.
Let me speak plainly, no disrespect intended. All I hear is "I don't care about the potential harm that this project could cause, I am not responsible for contributing something that I know people will use to cause harm, I don't care about Nintendo's interests, I have the right to do whatever I want to do." This is exactly the kind of stuff that drug dealers say. So yes, it is comparable. It is turning a blind eye to everything bad your actions could cause (albeit indirectly), in favor of selfish pursuits.
Attributing the well being of society entirely to individual responsibility is a copout at best. At worst, it is completely selfish, bordering on sociopathy. It was never black and white. It doesn't come completely down to personal responsibility or social responsibility, it's a combination of the two. If you recognize that you have a personal responsibility, then you own up to your own role in the mess that YOU caused in your life, and you don't make excuses or try to cast all of the blame on others. If you recognize that you have a social responsibility, then you own up to a responsibility to knowingly not bring harm to society and others.
Hypothetically speaking: If the Citra team develops a perfectly functioning emulator, and as a result, Nintendo Switch dies a fast and early death, do you feel nothing about that? Is that ok?
This entire moral dilemma could easily be avoided by drawing a line, and then respecting that line. That is not happening here. The boundaries are being pushed, and they will eventually break. It's not an invalid argument, it's only a matter of time.
