Nintendo 64 Emulation Package

[Iconoclast]

When I say package, I mean the way I have my Nintendo 64 emulators set up and the way I recommend it to most people.

*Edit: Nevermind.

What this is is an emulator package that comes with Project64 and 1964, as well as all the graphics, sound, and input plugins I think anybody should ever need to use. It also comes with a helpful readme I inserted.

Sometimes, Mupen64 and Nemu64 are necessary, but I didn't include those emulators for some reasons.

Lastly, most of the files are marked with the 'Hidden' property so you can only see the emulators, readme, and the screenshots folders for both emulators, and not those extra DLL files supporting the emulators. If you disable view of hidden files and folders in your Folder Options, you should get a more simplified view of the contents, but you won't be able to see the Plugin folder and some other folders that you sometimes need to be able to see for advanced purposes. Beginner users don't need to see such files and folders, though. It's up to you if you want to view these files.

 

[Agozer]

You're not allowed to repackage Project64 in any form and distribute it, AFAIK.

 

[Iconoclast]

I had a feeling it might have seemed a little copyright-infringing or something for me to do this...damn. Well, someone delete this thing ASAP, and I don't mean close.

Wait...not allowed to distribute it even in private, like in something like a private message to someone, or just in public on the worldwide web?

How can this be? According to Nintendo.com, emulators are illegal, so how can there be any law applicable to Project64?

 

[Agozer]

Hey, this is just what I've heard/read. Ask the devs for a confirmation.

 

[Allnatural]

It's in the user manual:

You may NOT repackage Project64 (add, remove, alter files) without the authors' permission - this INCLUDES distribution of Jabo's and Zilmar's plugins seperately - they are a part of Project64. It's also best for users if they get the complete package and documentation. You are welcome to distribute the original archive as long as you do not charge for it.

I wouldn't call a law per se, but it's the wish of the authors and it should be respected.

 

[Iconoclast]

You may NOT repackage Project64 (add, remove, alter files) without the authors' permission - this INCLUDES distribution of Jabo's and Zilmar's plugins seperately - they are a part of Project64. It's also best for users if they get the complete package and documentation. You are welcome to distribute the original archive as long as you do not charge for it.

OK, so I can't upload Project64 unless nothing has been touched or added in the original package. Well, then, nevermind, unless zilmar or maybe Jabo pops in and just suddenly allows it, but I don't think that'll happen.

I'll take no risks, so I won't try to bother uploading it with everything except Project64 or any of its files in it.

But IDK...making illegal software and expecting no one to repackage it in any altered form seems kind of hypocritical. But I believe emulation is fair, and Toasty says it's legal, so I promise not to repackage it and upload it like that again.

That's the one thing in the User Manual I didn't read, though. I just skipped the legal stuff, or read it but quickly.

 

[NES_player4LIFE]

y don't you just type in your recommended settings

 

[Allnatural]

But IDK...making illegal software and expecting no one to repackage it in any altered form seems kind of hypocritical. But I believe emulation is fair, and Toasty says it's legal...

Not only is emulation legal, but it's more common than you think. How do you suppose the recent retro-compilations work on the PS2, Xbox, etc.? The games aren't recoded for the hardware; they're emulated. In fact, Aaron Giles (of MAMEDev) had a hand in the Taito Legends compilation (I believe some MAME code was used).

 

[Doomulation]

But IDK...making illegal software and expecting no one to repackage it in any altered form seems kind of hypocritical. But I believe emulation is fair, and Toasty says it's legal, so I promise not to repackage it and upload it like that again.

I believe it is to avoid confusion. You download PJ64 and it would be the same everywhere. Thus the instructions would apply everywhere you download it. I know they're all very "casual user" thinkers.

 

[Iconoclast]

y don't you just type in your recommended settings

That helps, but it doesn't do everything that I want. For example, I took Rice's Video Plugin's INI configuration file, tested every single N64 game from # to B (got tired of downloading ROMs, so I stopped at the B ROMs), and spent 10 minutes trying to improve configuration for them. I thought I had made an improvement of Rice's INI, but I'd have to upload it. I can't just type the entire text document here, and I don't know if I'm allowed to upload it if 1964 has that same restriction as Project64. I even compressed the Project64 RDB by removing those blank lines (when you press Enter/Return on your keyboard? Doesn't screw up the RDB.), and just compacted everything. Things like that are things I can't really type, without exceeding a post limit of a huge size. It would be easier to upload.

To avoid confusion would be the right thing. I don't see any other valid excuse why Project64 is copyrighted that way, at least as long as you don't repackage and reupload your version of Project64 like I tried to do BUT ALSO claim it as your own emulator or any part of it created by you. That would be copyright-infringing. What I tried to do in this thread was help, that's all. I understand how noobishly annoying it would be if I uploaded my configured version of all the best N64 emulators and it was actually all wrong and I screwed up the RDB and stuff like that, but I knew what I was doing, I can assure that.

Allnatural, I know emulation is not really illegal, but let me explain. Video game emulation is not declared to be illegal, but is impossible to do without illegally getting the ROMs. Take Nintendo's consoles, for example. Nintendo.com says that the devices used to copy the software from the actual game cartridge are illegal, and downloading ROMs from somebody else who did that via the Internet is illegal. That makes it impossible to legally get the ROM files, as they were created by Nintendo, and copying them in any way is illegal. So, if getting (requiring copying) the ROM files is illegal, then it is impossible to be able to emulate consoles like the Nintendo 64 using Project64, without illegally getting the ROM file. The only way for users like me to get it is to illegally download it or to illegally copy it from my N64 cartridge, either way, Project64 requires that one of these be done. So, directly, the emulators for video gaming consoles cannot be said to be illegal, but they are definitely promoting illegal intentions and have a good excuse for being called illegal, if intentionally released to people outside of video game companies by their author(s). That's why I think this "let's copyright Project64 so no one can repackage it in any modified form" idea is slightly hypocritical, unless it's really done to avoid confusion, like Doomulation suggested.

 

[NES_player4LIFE]

Nintendo 64 Emulation Configuration List Online

this is the best config list out there

 

[Iconoclast]

Oh, indeed it is...but I already know that link. In fact, I'm currently helping BigHead with some configuration suggestions I have for his list. I even included that link in the Readme of the package I uploaded. I did things differently than that list suggested, so that's why I wanted to upload my configured version of all the emulators. Don't mean to sound arrogant by thinking I know the best way to configure all of the N64 emulators, because I don't; I was just trying to help.

To summarize with much shorter words: Slightly hypocritical, though, the remorselessness of Project64's emulation intentions promoting illegal ROM-copying to use for the emulator to play them, the anger it has caused Nintendo by providing a way to emulate the N64, and the expectation of its authors to not have anyone repackage it, declaring that to be illegal. I wonder why the emulators aren't declared illegal, themselves, so long as their authors mean to provide them to the general public, requiring the illegal copying of ROM files.

Don't get me wrong, though! I don't mean to scold the emulation authors for their hard word. If I had PayPal (ain't going to happen; I'm 15,) I would donate $50 to the Project64 team. Since I can't, though, my only purpose of existence or helping anyone on the emulation Internet is to help people out with emulating the N64.

 

[Allnatural]

Allnatural, I know emulation is not really illegal, but let me explain. Video game emulation is not declared to be illegal, but is impossible to do without illegally getting the ROMs. Take Nintendo's consoles, for example. Nintendo.com says that the devices used to copy the software from the actual game cartridge are illegal, and downloading ROMs from somebody else who did that via the Internet is illegal. That makes it impossible to legally get the ROM files, as they were created by Nintendo, and copying them in any way is illegal. So, if getting (requiring copying) the ROM files is illegal, then it is impossible to be able to emulate consoles like the Nintendo 64 using Project64, without illegally getting the ROM file. The only way for users like me to get it is to illegally download it or to illegally copy it from my N64 cartridge, either way, Project64 requires that one of these be done. So, directly, the emulators for video gaming consoles cannot be said to be illegal, but they are definitely promoting illegal intentions and have a good excuse for being called illegal, if intentionally released to people outside of video game companies by their author(s). That's why I think this "let's copyright Project64 so no one can repackage it in any modified form" idea is slightly hypocritical, unless it's really done to avoid confusion, like Doomulation suggested.

Nintendo may say that back-up devices are illegal, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are. I'm not aware of any legal action brought against the manufacturers, so owning a backup device and using it legitimately (backups for your use only) should lie within your fair use rights.

Doom is right. The authors want to avoid a flood of questions concerning plugins and modifications they have no control over, so the package can only be distributed in its original form.

 

[NES_player4LIFE]

The authors want to avoid a flood of questions concerning plugins and modifications they have no control over, so the package can only be distributed in its original form.

i use rice in pj64,
and jabo in 1964,
but i would not upload any package with any plugins
it under minds the authors work.
we don't want to do that;
if we did they could say oh-well i'll stop working on this coz there
100 combos out there we don't need to make it 101

i'm not saying we can't play a round with them just that we can't repackage them

 

[Iconoclast]

Nintendo may say that back-up devices are illegal, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are. I'm not aware of any legal action brought against the manufacturers, so owning a backup device and using it legitimately (backups for your use only) should lie within your fair use rights.

Doom is right. The authors want to avoid a flood of questions concerning plugins and modifications they have no control over, so the package can only be distributed in its original form.

I still think they're illegal, because Nintnedo says their intentions to copy the ROM files are definitely illegal, because they are copyrighted by Nintendo. Nintendo has declared that unauthorized copying of these ROM files is illegal, and Nintendo would not lie about their own restrictions within their rights.

Oh, wait! I just checked Nintendo.com, and it said that the backup/archival copy exception can apply IF you copied the ROM from the actual game cartridge you own. Got me there; that is legal, then.

So, it is not the Project64 team's fault that people, today, are using Project64 to play ROM files they illegally downloaded from the Internet. The emulators cannot be declared illegal because they were not intented to promote emulation of illegally copied ROM files, or at least innocent until proven guilty. However, Nintendo.com THINKS these emulators were intended to play ILLEGALLY-copied ROMs from the Internet, and if that is Project64's intention, then Project64 is illegal. I don't know Project64's intention, though.

And I still don't know if you're right when you say the game-copying devices are legal, but I believe that they shouldn't be, only if used to make backup copies of your games, not to make copies to provide on the Internet or distribute in any way to others. They might not be illegal, because I'm stuck on what the website said:

Are Game Copying Devices Illegal?
Yes. Game copiers enable users to illegally copy video game software onto floppy disks, writeable compact disks or the hard drive of a personal computer. They enable the user to make, play and distribute illegal copies of video game software which violates Nintendo's copyrights and trademarks. These devices also allow for the uploading and downloading of ROMs to and from the Internet. Based upon the functions of these devices, they are illegal.

But can they be illegal because of what they are capable of allowing, or is Nintendo wrong and they are legal because they are intended for allowing us to make a backup of our original game? I'm stuck on that one.

 

[NES_player4LIFE]

US law says u are allowed a BackUp copy

So, it is not the Project64 team's fault that people, today, are using Project64 to play ROM files they illegally downloaded from the Internet. The emulators cannot be declared illegal because they were not intented to promote emulation of illegally copied ROM files, or at least innocent until proven guilty. However, Nintendo.com THINKS these emulators were intended to play ILLEGALLY-copied ROMs from the Internet, and if that is Project64's intention, then Project64 is illegal. I don't know Project64's intention, though.

no it's not Project64 team's fault

emulators are in the legal gray
not white not black

 

[Iconoclast]

US law says u are allowed a BackUp copy
no it's not Project64 team's fault

emulators are in the legal gray
not white not black

Obviously, to get my point across, I have to explain things this way:

I know you are allowed a backup copy, if you don't download it from the Internet, but it's illegal to USE the backup copying DEVICES because they are illegal. They are illegal because of their functions, their ability to give someone the power to illegally distribute the software to others. Even if that is not your intention, Nintendo says they are declared (by which force, them or the U.S., I don't know) to be illegal, so they are illegal. Nintendo knows more about this stuff than any of us, so I have to believe them rather than what I think. They specifically say they are illegal, no matter what. It is illegal to use them to copy ROM files from the actual game cartridge using those devices, simply because using those devices is illegal, because the devices are illegal.

I know this contradicts the backup/archival copy exception, but I think Nintendo expects you to ask them to make a backup for you or something. I'm not sure, though...I'll have to e-mail them about that.

However, for the very same reason above, emulators CAN be declared illegal (don't know why they aren't...they might be, actually, but Nintendo doesn't say they are, directly) based on THEIR functions, like game-copiers are illegal based on their functions. Let's just say that game-copiers ARE legal to use. Try to imagine how many people, in this whole world, would want to use a game-copier to copy their Nintendo games for backup purposes and legally, using Project64 (for example), to emulate the game on their PC as a backup when they can just play it on their actual console? Not a lot of people, right? NOW try to imagine how many people would want to use these devices to copy their ROM files, illegally share them with their friends and ask them for theirs in return? That would be copyright-infringing. In fact, there are a lot more people who would want to UPLOAD these ROM files on the Internet (which, obviously, has already been done) rather than legally copy them using such devices for backup purposes when most people don't worry about that stuff (Allnatural might, though.), since they can just play it on their N64 without usually losing their cartridge. It isn't that easy to lose a game you bought, as long as you keep it somewhere safe. The odds, I believe, are therefore the reason why these game-copiers are deemed illegal to help prevent their use or manufacturing.

To conclude: Emulators are illegal, even if they are intended to emulate ROMs copied legitimitally by their owner, just like game-copying devices are illegal even if they are used to legally copy ROMs.

 

[Doomulation]

To summarise:
Emulators are NOT illegal. Emulators allow to run content that was designed for another system on another architecture, like the PC's x86 architecture. You're getting this all wrong. Just because you most likely play games illegally on it does NOT mean the tool itself is illegal. That's like saying buying a weapon is illegal. You can use your weapon legally, but you can also use it illegally. Are weapons illegal, then?

Backup software is NOT illegal. Again, due to US copyright law, you are entitled a backup of your own software. That includes games. Even if you weren't, the tool itself is still legal. In US, backing up a copy of your game is legal. Distributing this copy, however, is illegal. Downloading a copy is illegal. This is contradictory to what companies say. On a movie you've bought, you're likely to find a label that says that any copy of that movie, including for private purposes, is illegal. But it is not. You may do a backup copy.

Emulators are not just used to play games, you know? They can be used in a number of other ways. Look up the definition of emulation. As for Pj64, you CAN play games legally on it. The way is to acquire legal copies of your games to play. How do you do that? Back 'em up, or download Public Domain roms, which are free and are not illegal to download.

Now don't come saying that Pj64 is illegal.
Devices are not illegal. It is the wrong use that is illegal.
Claiming a backup device to be illegal because with it users MIGHT copy games illegally is to say that your PSP/PC/Whatever is illegal because you can crack it to run illegal software.

 

[NES_player4LIFE]

To conclude: Emulators are illegal, even if they are intended to emulate ROMs copied legitimately by their owner, just like game-copying devices are illegal even if they are used to legally copy ROMs.

are you working for the big N?
and if you feel like that don't use them delete all your roms and get over it

 

[Allnatural]

I don't know why this is so hard to understand. An emulator is just a piece of code, and so long as the code is a completely original work (meaning, not copied from another source without permission), it is completely legal. Nintendo can't sue an author based on how their software is used.


Here's an interesting bit you'll find in the manual of every GC game:

WARNING: Copying of any Nintendo game is illegal and is strictly prohibited by domestic and international intellectual property laws. "Back-up" or "archival" copies are not necessary to protect your software. Violators will be prosecuted.

According to them, any copying, including back-ups, are illegal. Then you read a little further:

The contents of this notice do not interfere with your statutory rights.

As in, your fair use rights? Quite a contradiction there...

Here's the clause in the US copyright code that people are referring to when they say you are permitted one back-up copy:

U.S. Copyright Office - 128-Bit Browsers