Blasphemy or saviour?

Post by **3DOKid** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:09 am

http://www.retrothing.com/2009/04/fpga- ... dware.html

FPGA is a field programmable gate array. (My firm uses 'em too)

So, it's a hardware emulator for the ST/Amiga, and I suspect this isn't a million miles from the 3Do hardware that the Freedo crowd alluded too.

Personally, I think, unlike software emulation (which is given for free) that this is too close to hardware piracy, when the original is so easily available (almost what's the point - really?) and therefore I feel bad about this sort of thing and can't really support it. (All my arguments are weak, but I just feel queasy about hardware piracy)

What do you guys think?

Post by **3DO Experience** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 3:08 am

Sounds a bit like re-inventing the wheel if you ask me. But you could also see it like a flash cart for arcade machines IF it hooked up to a JAMMA set-up but it doesn't.

Traegorn · Post by **Traegorn** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:27 pm

As long as the patent has expired on what they're emulating in the country they sell it in, then I say no harm no foul. Like the current batch of imitation Famicoms you can get ahold of.

The 3DOs patents are far from expiring though, and since 3DOs are relatively cheap to buy... I don't see the need for a similar product.

UnholyTancred · Post by **UnholyTancred** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 11:02 pm

But those NES clones are of pitiful quality.

Post by **3DOKid** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 11:31 pm

Yeah - I don't get it either.

For me it's about the whole experience. Emulators don't give you the whole experience. There is no point in me emulating a NES. I just won't enjoy it. I'd have to have a NES and a proper NES controller and a RF cable connected, preferably, to a grotty old colour TV - then I would enjoy it.

Same for the 3DO.

Trev · Post by **Trev** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 2:32 am

For me it's about the whole experience. Emulators don't give you the whole experience. There is no point in me emulating a NES. I just won't enjoy it. I'd have to have a NES and a proper NES controller and a RF cable connected, preferably, to a grotty old colour TV - then I would enjoy it.

And blowing on the cartridge connectors too?

Post by **3DOKid** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 7:56 am

Trev wrote:
For me it's about the whole experience. Emulators don't give you the whole experience. There is no point in me emulating a NES. I just won't enjoy it. I'd have to have a NES and a proper NES controller and a RF cable connected, preferably, to a grotty old colour TV - then I would enjoy it.
And blowing on the cartridge connectors too?

Yeah. That too. Otherwise you can't relate right?