NEWS  Games  March 5, 2024  Reading time: 2 Minute(s)

Max (RS editor)

Yuzu, a prominent Nintendo Switch emulator, has officially announced its shutdown. This decision follows a settlement reached between the developers, Tropic Haze, LLC, and Nintendo, amidst allegations of piracy and copyright infringement.

Nintendo, a powerhouse in the gaming industry, filed a lawsuit against Tropic Haze, asserting that Yuzu facilitated the piracy of Nintendo Switch games, notably highlighting titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. The proposed settlement, disclosed recently, outlines significant consequences for Tropic Haze and its affiliates.

The terms of the settlement require Tropic Haze to pay Nintendo a substantial sum of $2.4 million in damages. Additionally, a permanent injunction has been issued, effectively prohibiting Tropic Haze from engaging in any activities related to Yuzu's development or distribution. This includes marketing, selling, hosting, and promoting the emulator, as well as any associated source code or features.

 THE SHUTDOWN NOTICE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE ON YUZU WEBSITE 

Furthermore, Tropic Haze is barred from involvement in projects that aim to circumvent Nintendo's technical protection measures. This clause aims to prevent future attempts to replicate Yuzu's functionality, ensuring the protection of Nintendo's intellectual property. As part of the agreement, Yuzu's website and all associated assets are to be surrendered to Nintendo. 

Moreover, Tropic Haze and its affiliates are obligated to relinquish any hardware, consoles, games, ROMs, or emulators that infringe upon Nintendo's intellectual property rights. This comprehensive surrender encompasses all materials potentially linked to Yuzu's development, leaving no room for ambiguity.

Although this settlement represents a proposed final judgment, pending judicial approval, it reflects a significant blow to the emulation community. The decision underscores the ongoing struggle between emulation enthusiasts and copyright holders, highlighting the complexities of digital piracy in modern gaming landscapes.

In a statement on their Discord server, the Yuzu team expressed regret over the situation, emphasizing their original intentions to support Nintendo's platform without fostering piracy. Citing concerns over leaked game content and the negative impact on legitimate players, they announced the immediate discontinuation of Yuzu and related services.