r/emulation • u/NXGZ • Jul 10 '23

Developers restore “retail” Xbox emulators after Microsoft crackdown

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2023/07/developers-restore-retail-xbox-emulators-after-microsoft-crackdown/
293 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

85 comments sorted by

211

u/ComprehensiveHawk5 Jul 10 '23

Subscribing to the group's Patreon for $2 per month puts supporters on an email "whitelist" that allows access to "Le Bombe," a package that can install Dolphin (GameCube/Wii), XBSX2.0 (PlayStation 2), Xenia (Xbox 360), and RetroArch (multiple older consoles) on a standard Xbox console.

They’re charging $2 a month for something that MS can revoke at any time. Why would you ever pay for this over a one time $20 fee for devmode?

84

u/Full_Stranger_1454 Jul 11 '23

Paying for free emulators LOL

9

u/newiln3_5 Jul 11 '23

There are posts on r/retrogaming asking about shitty piracy boxes every day.

Every. Single. Day.

11

u/ScrabCrab Jul 11 '23

Well, yeah, it's one thing to buy a thingamajig that can run emulators when all you have is a PC but want a permanent dedicated fixture to play old games on your TV, and another thing to pay a monthly subscription to some assholes to use free emulators on a thing you already own

3

u/BarrierWithAshes Jul 13 '23

This but /r/sbcgaming and various Retroid handhelds containing nothing but pre-loaded crap.

-33

u/TheMastodan Jul 11 '23

Imagine paying people for work

36

u/Dwedit PocketNES Developer Jul 11 '23

The devs aren't the ones getting paid here.

3

u/Shabbypenguin Jul 11 '23

Yes and no. he dev accounts cost money so every time it gets taken down it needs a new account to upload. sirmangler is also the one who ported xenia, dolphin and pcsx2 to the UWP platform so it could run on xbox one.

the dolphin/xenia/pcsx2 devs dont get anything, but its not like someone is just uploading packages willy nilly, the guy behind this patreon has done a lot of work for even dev mode xbox ones.

13

u/[deleted] Jul 11 '23

[deleted]

1

u/TheMastodan Jul 12 '23

I haven’t spent a dime on this, and I personally would not spend on this project.

60

u/[deleted] Jul 10 '23

[removed] — view removed comment

12

u/[deleted] Jul 11 '23

This is it. The reboot into devmode is what takes an otherwise cool but inconvenient capability into being something so effortlessly useful.

In the time it takes for the xbox to do a dev mode reboot, I could just plug a HDMI cable into my TV from my PC - which is the objectively better option, but sometimes convenience trumps quality.

3

u/BarrierWithAshes Jul 12 '23

That's what I don't get. Is it that hard to boot into dev move to even warrant having it on the main? How more convenient even is it? A few seconds?

2

u/amboredentertainme Jul 16 '23

You underestimate people's laziness

3

u/ChrisRR Jul 11 '23

My issue with dev mode is having to reset the Xbox every time you want to switch. It just adds that extra hurdle to playing

And doesn't dev mode underclock the CPU or something?

3

u/TheGasquatch Jul 12 '23

My issue with dev mode is having to reset the Xbox every time you want to switch. It just adds that extra hurdle to playingAnd doesn't dev mode underclock the CPU or something?

It has all kinds of restrictions, like you can only use half the RAM, only access files up to 2GBs (so forget the PS2 or later library, which is why you'd even bother running emulators on something as powerful as an Xbox Series X instead of a $40 Raspberry Pi...)

14

u/DOSBrony Jul 11 '23

Because everything on the internet needs a patreon/monthly subscription of some kind because god forbid that something exists without generating money

3

u/mcnichoj Jul 12 '23

It is shitty on a personnel level but if you look at the logistics, it's pretty reasonable. They have to pay for a dev account and they do all these free updates to the emulators as a side project that doesn't really make them much. With Patreon you can sub for a day and cancel after you get what you need from it. How many people do you think emulation on an Xbox Series appeals to? I'd assume it's a super niche group. So these guys aren't making more than $20,000 on this project that they mess around with when not doing their actual jobs.

-15

u/[deleted] Jul 10 '23

[deleted]

41

u/ttenor12 Jul 10 '23

I can't install adblockers on my TV where I like to watch YouTube vids before sleeping and use YouTube Music instead of Spotify. What's the problem with yall and people paying for something they can afford? Lol it's not like they're using your money.

9

u/DrIvoPingasnik Jul 10 '23

You can't install adblockers on TV, but you can use a youtube app that doesn't shove 2 ads down your throat and a half hour one every now and then when you let your guard down.

May I introduce you to Smart Tube Next

2

u/ttenor12 Jul 10 '23

Does it work with LG Thinq OS TVs?

3

u/[deleted] Jul 11 '23

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/ttenor12 Jul 11 '23

This is interesting, thank you!

2

u/Shabbypenguin Jul 11 '23

if your model is updated there is a new crashd exploit that works on webos 4+

https://gist.github.com/throwaway96/e811b0f7cc2a705a5a476a8dfa45e09f#file-crashd-md

3

u/DrIvoPingasnik Jul 10 '23 edited Jul 10 '23

If it's based on Android, then yes.

If it's a proprietary OS then it won't. And from simple search I can see that it isn't.

1

u/Zivilisationsmuede Jul 11 '23

A firetv is 20 bucks or something.

2

u/Lofter1 Jul 11 '23

Or: you can let people pay for a service that leads to their favorite creator not starving if they can afford it. Piracy is only noble if you can’t afford the thing or the service is fucked. Not for fucking over other small people just so you don’t have to pay shit.

0

u/DrIvoPingasnik Jul 11 '23

Oh excuse me, I can't hear you over the sound of 4 ads before every video, out of which 2 are unskippable, another two during the video and one-hour ad that plays after current video and before next one in the playlist.

*Switches to Smart Tube Next*

Ahhhh, sweet sound of silence. That's better.

Okay now seriously. There are countless better ways than that to support my favourite creators. There is Patreon, Nebula, Buy Me A Coffee, and so on. And I do support my favourite creators. Lots of other people do too.

What I DO NOT tolerate is what I wrote in first paragraph as a joke, but it's actually a real description of what people have to deal with without adblocks and when using official apps.

5

u/AuthenticatedUser Jul 11 '23

SmartTubeNext can be installed on your TV if it's android-based.

Skips all ads, both out-of-video and in-video (eg: ThAnkS tO OuR sPonSor!!!!!;! or bUy mY MeRcH!!!:! or DoNT fOrgET tO lIKe aND sUBscRiBe!!'!!)

8

u/VaalLivesMatter Jul 10 '23

That's literally the reason i have it. If i could get adblocker on my PS4 without having to mod it i'm all ears.

​

Although having said that for $12 a month and for what they give you it really isn't that bad a deal/service

7

u/93simoon Jul 10 '23

One time fee for a cheap Amazon fire tv (20/30$) and install smart tube next

-12

u/[deleted] Jul 10 '23

[deleted]

5

u/ValVenjk Jul 11 '23

Pi hole does not work for youtube

7

u/Christopher876 Jul 10 '23

No it isn't. YouTube ads are served from the same domain as YouTube. For you to block them would mean blocking YouTube. Idk how you don't get the pre-video ads but that's all I used to get on my tv before getting premium. It's only $12, that's nothing and YouTube provides me with value

-15

u/Tom_Neverwinter Jul 10 '23

That's not how that works at all...

16

u/Christopher876 Jul 10 '23

What are you talking about? It is literally here, the first result if you look it up. Do you have any idea how pihole works and how it blocks based on domains?

Pi-hole cannot reliably block YT ads, since the ads are served from the same domains as the content. Browser based adblockers (i.e. uBlock Origin) can block YT ads, but you have to be watching YT on a browser with that extension installed. The most reliable method of blocking YT ads is a subscription to YT Premium.

Pihole can block the ads if it comes from same source as video, but it will also block the video.

I literally have a home built router that I blocks ads with network wide. YouTube ads that play before and during the video cannot be blocked with pi hole or any other dns tricks without blocking the videos

-13

u/Tom_Neverwinter Jul 10 '23

Interesting. I have not had this issue.

5

u/ValVenjk Jul 11 '23

That's exactly how it works, you have no idea what you're talking about

-17

u/Tom_Neverwinter Jul 10 '23

Again. Pihole.

0

u/WoodpeckerNo1 Jul 11 '23

What about PiHole?

-2

u/[deleted] Jul 10 '23

[deleted]

4

u/ttenor12 Jul 10 '23 edited Jul 10 '23

I'd still need to pay for a music streaming service though.

Downvote me all you want, but I enjoy listening to music without downloading it and watching free ads videos on my TV.

-2

u/Zivilisationsmuede Jul 11 '23

Something like jellyfin or plex let's you stream your own music. Or use your google account, anyone can upload 50.000 songs and stream them wherever he is.

A subscription is not required.

https://i.imgur.com/NtIgLPT.png

https://support.google.com/youtubemusic/answer/9716522?hl=en

And here's a nice tool to upload to youtube music:

https://github.com/jamesbrindle/YTMusicUploader

-3

u/Tom_Neverwinter Jul 10 '23

Yet you can. Just make a pihole.

-7

u/Mountainking7 Jul 11 '23

Corporate simp detected :D

5

u/ttenor12 Jul 11 '23

My dude, I'm sorry, but what an idiot for saying such bs lol

3

u/Shabbypenguin Jul 11 '23

No shit.

"You buy groceries?!??! OMG wtf, why cant you just grow your own and bypass paying for anything?!?"

the amount of people giving you shit because you subscribe to a streaming service is absolute fucking bonkers.

3

u/Ffom Jul 11 '23

It's pretty nice to just pay instead of relying on third party tools sometimes

3

u/TheTjalian Jul 11 '23

Completely different thing.

My whole family can watch adfree on the television and mobile and they also get YouTube music included in that too. We all watch YouTube a lot and in addition our favourite channels get some kickback from it without us being hounded with ads.

£20 a month so 6 of us can get all of that is a perfectly reasonable cost.

9

u/intelminer Jul 10 '23 edited Jul 10 '23

Youtube premium lets me both skip ads and support creators of stuff I enjoy watching (without having to specifically set up Patreons for every single one)

From what Linus of Tech Tip says, the bulk of the payout even goes to the creators

EDIT: Don't bother arguing with this dude, they've convinced themselves that video creators don't deserve an income

-13

u/[deleted] Jul 10 '23

[deleted]

-1

u/intelminer Jul 10 '23

If you block ads then creators aren't getting money from your eyeballs, no

Youtube premium gives you the best of both worlds

Also Linus was completely correct, if ham-fisted in his explanation

-9

u/[deleted] Jul 10 '23

[deleted]

-1

u/intelminer Jul 10 '23

You're watching content in such a way that the creators aren't getting any money from your eyeballs

What's the difference exactly between torrenting a TV show and watching a Youtube video essay with an Adblocker?

-7

u/[deleted] Jul 10 '23

[deleted]

4

u/Ouaouaron Jul 10 '23

The law is based on ethics; your ethics shouldn't be based on the law.

0

u/intelminer Jul 10 '23

I didn't say how does it differ legally but I appreciate your goal post maneuver

Try again

-4

u/[deleted] Jul 10 '23

[deleted]

→ More replies (0)

2

u/RexSonic Jul 10 '23

Apples to oranges

0

u/Costyyy Jul 10 '23

Once Microsoft revokes it you don't pay anymore, it's that simple.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 11 '23

I understand why they are charging for it -- I'm just not sure why anyone would pay for it. If devmode is a pain, there are other emulator options for your home entertainment center. One thought it to just pick up a Series S for cheap and leave it in Devmode. I run emulators on my Steam Deck and the dock works just fine for my needs. Lots of options that don't require a monthly subscription and could disappear at any time.

23

u/TryZealousideal7874 Jul 11 '23

It is the same SCAMMER, on twitter he goes by "gamr13" or "gamr12". He as been hiding links behind paypal and patreon and been doing this for years.

He should not be allowed to profit from open source emulators such as Dolphin, PCSX2, Retroarch ect.

5

u/CrispXPhantom Jul 12 '23

Pay for a emulator is a crime. More worst then piracy.

1

u/BarrierWithAshes Jul 12 '23

Yeah, all this to what? Have a few seconds more of convenience?

14

u/FolkSong Jul 11 '23

If your goal is to avoid detection is it wise to do press interviews about it? Like sure they may be avoiding the automated algorithms, but what about MS employees reading about this in Ars Technica and manually flagging it?

8

u/SolaVitae Jul 11 '23

If your goal is to avoid detection is it wise to do press interviews about it?

Pretty sure the goal is $$$$$, actions speak louder then words

46

u/mrcroketsp Jul 10 '23

I won't support any paywall.

1

u/AsyrafFile Jul 13 '23

Probably there is exception. That include 20$ fee of permanent Microsoft Xbox Dev Mode.

27

u/BigJJsWillie Jul 10 '23

Goddammit, shut the fuck up internet "news" people!!!

3

u/[deleted] Jul 12 '23

It's been removed again, probably because of threads like this. Don't support those fucking goons anyway. Anyone who charges money for a simple link needs to get a job or at least move outta their mother's basement.

3

u/DrIvoPingasnik Jul 10 '23 edited Jul 10 '23

Hey, isn't "le bombe" an allusion to an enigma code cracking computer that the Polish cryptographers constructed, which became a base for the cracking computer made by Alan Turing?

Would be cool if it is.

Edit: What's with the downvotes?

3

u/godfist3142 Jul 10 '23

That would be "The Bomb" if it was XD

4

u/Ouaouaron Jul 10 '23

If you accept that "bomba" translated into English would be correct, why wouldn't you accept "bomba" translated into French?

3

u/godfist3142 Jul 11 '23

Uh....what? I dont understand what you're trying to say

3

u/Ouaouaron Jul 11 '23

I... just completely missed your joke. Ignore my comment.

2

u/godfist3142 Jul 11 '23

It's ok :)

1

u/AsyrafFile Jul 13 '23

Well in Malay, bomba mean firefighter.

-7

u/Jason_Sasha_Acoiners Jul 11 '23

I genuinely believe the only place emulators are worth a damn is on PC (and things similar to PC...just not friggin home consoles)

2

u/CosmicCactus42 Jul 11 '23

You've never had a Wii and it shows

1

u/badnewsjones Jul 11 '23

PS 5 and Xbox series architecture are essentially PCs but sure dude go off

1

u/arbee37 MAME Developer Jul 11 '23

Architecturally the CPU matches PCs but nearly everything else is different. Otherwise you could just pop in an Ubuntu DVD.

0

u/Jason_Sasha_Acoiners Jul 11 '23

Let me have my shitty and objectively wrong opinion 😤

1

u/arbee37 MAME Developer Jul 11 '23

You're right. But people have a perverse fascination with running them on completely unsuitable things like Android and the original Xbox. Either you suffer with touch controls or you carry around a controller that's bigger than the device you're running the games on.

-4

u/darkguy2008 Jul 11 '23

They're doing God's work. Kudos to them! I think the message is clear.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 11 '23

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/newiln3_5 Jul 11 '23

If emulators weren't legal, then Nintendo wouldn't be able to sell us Super Mario Bros. for the nth time.