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Ryujinx Switch Emulator Stops Development After Receiving Legal Notice from Nintendo

# Ryujinx Nintendo Switch Emulator Halts Development Following Nintendo’s Legal Challenges

In a major turn of events for the emulation community, the well-known open-source Nintendo Switch emulator **Ryujinx** has been taken down from GitHub, with its development reportedly coming to an end after discussions with Nintendo. This action is part of a larger crackdown by Nintendo on emulation projects that it asserts promote piracy of its games.

## The Conclusion of Ryujinx on GitHub

Ryujinx, a prominent Nintendo Switch emulator, was unexpectedly removed from GitHub after its lead developer, **gdkchan**, was said to have been approached by Nintendo. As stated by **riperiperi**, another developer involved with the project, gdkchan was presented with an agreement by Nintendo to cease development on Ryujinx and eliminate all associated assets under his management. While the specific terms of the negotiation are not fully available, the removal of the Ryujinx GitHub repository suggests the probable termination of the project.

In a statement shared on Ryujinx’s Discord server and across social media, riperiperi confirmed the organization’s removal from GitHub, asserting, “I think it’s safe to say what the outcome is.” As of now, the **Ryujinx website** is still operational, but its download section and other GitHub-linked resources are no longer accessible.

The Ryujinx team had not provided a standard progress update since **January 2024**, despite regularly sharing monthly updates throughout 2023. The last social media communication from the Ryujinx team occurred in **March 2024**, aligning with other notable legal developments within the Switch emulation domain.

## Nintendo’s Legal Actions Against Emulation

Nintendo has long maintained a tough approach to emulation and piracy. In March 2024, the creators behind the **Yuzu emulator**, another well-known Nintendo Switch emulator, consented to pay **$2.4 million** in a settlement with Nintendo. The lawsuit claimed that Yuzu was “facilitating piracy at a colossal scale.” This legal battle sent ripples through the emulation community, raising alarms about the future of other emulators, including Ryujinx.

After the Yuzu settlement, a new emulator, **Suyu**, surfaced as a derivative of Yuzu, attempting to function in what was termed a “legal gray area.” Nevertheless, Suyu also encountered legal troubles from Nintendo, including a **DMCA takedown** of its GitLab repository and the dissolution of its official Discord server. In spite of these challenges, **Suyu** remains accessible on its self-hosted servers, although its last stable version dates back six months.

Another fork of Yuzu, named **Sudachi**, faced similar scrutiny from Nintendo and was taken down from GitHub in **July 2024** through a DMCA request. These initiatives highlight a wider strategy by Nintendo to target not only the emulators themselves but also the platforms and communities that support them.

## Ryujinx’s Impact and Emulation’s Future

At its zenith, Ryujinx was among the most sophisticated and widely utilized Nintendo Switch emulators. Developers indicated that by **May 2024**, Ryujinx had been assessed on approximately **4,300 titles**, with over **4,100** of those advancing past the menus and engaging in gameplay. Of those, around **3,550** were deemed fully playable, establishing Ryujinx as a potent option for Switch game emulation.

The Ryujinx team was also in the process of developing several intriguing features before the project’s suspension. These included a **working Android port** of the emulator, which was still underway, and a tech demo for **iOS**. Nonetheless, the iOS version was unlikely to be commonly utilized due to **Apple’s restrictions** on just-in-time (JIT) compilation, which impacts the performance of emulators on iOS devices.

One of the most awaited features was the capability to allow **local wired multiplayer** between Ryujinx and actual Nintendo Switch hardware. The developers shared a video demonstrating this feature, showcasing the potential for smooth multiplayer experiences between emulated and official systems.

Despite these encouraging advancements, the Ryujinx team has now halted development on the project. In a message to the community, riperiperi shared hope that other developers would persist in their emulation and game preservation efforts, stating, “The future of game preservation does depend on individuals, and maybe one day it’ll be properly recognized.”

## The Legal and Ethical Discussion Surrounding Emulation

The closure of Ryujinx prompts critical discussions regarding the legal and ethical facets of emulation. While emulators like Ryujinx and Yuzu are often utilized for legitimate reasons, such as **game preservation** and **modding**, they are also commonly linked with piracy. Nintendo has contended that these emulators allow users to engage with pirated versions of its games, resulting in substantial financial repercussions for the company.

Conversely,

OpenAI Unveils Streamlined Voice Assistant Development at 2024 Developer Conference

### OpenAI DevDay 2024: Significant API Enhancements and a Change in Emphasis

On Monday, OpenAI commenced its yearly **DevDay** gathering in San Francisco, revealing a collection of important updates tailored for developers eager to incorporate the company’s AI models into their offerings. In contrast to last year’s single-location affair, DevDay 2024 has embraced a more worldwide strategy, with additional events slated for London on October 30 and Singapore on November 21. The San Francisco gathering was exclusive and not open to media, yet it included several technical presentations and announcements poised to transform how developers engage with OpenAI’s technology.

#### Important Announcements: Realtime API and More

Among the standout announcements was the launch of the **Realtime API**, which is now in public beta. This API facilitates speech-to-speech interactions utilizing six pre-defined voices, enabling developers to integrate features akin to ChatGPT’s **Advanced Voice Mode (AVM)** into their products. The Realtime API streamlines the creation of voice assistants by merging multiple models—previously employed for speech recognition, text processing, and text-to-speech conversion—into a single API request. This optimization is anticipated to simplify the integration of voice functionalities into applications for developers.

Moreover, OpenAI intends to introduce **audio input and output functionalities** to its **Chat Completions API** in the upcoming weeks. This enhancement will permit developers to submit either text or audio and obtain responses in both forms, further augmenting the adaptability of AI-driven applications.

#### More Affordable Inference Options: Model Distillation and Prompt Caching

Two new functionalities were unveiled to assist developers in balancing performance and expense when deploying AI solutions:

1. **Model Distillation**: This feature enables developers to fine-tune smaller, more economical models like **GPT-4o mini** by leveraging outputs from more advanced models such as **GPT-4o** and **o1-preview**. Consequently, developers can achieve more pertinent and accurate outcomes while utilizing less resource-demanding models, potentially lowering costs.

2. **Prompt Caching**: This feature, akin to one introduced by Anthropic for its Claude API, enhances inference speed by retaining frequently used prompts (input tokens). This not only boosts processing speeds but also provides a 50% reduction in input token costs through the reuse of recently encountered inputs. This could prove especially beneficial for applications that depend on repetitive inquiries or interactions.

#### Vision Fine-Tuning: Broadening Multimodal Capabilities

OpenAI also disclosed the expansion of its fine-tuning features to encompass images, a capability it refers to as **vision fine-tuning**. This enables developers to customize the multimodal version of GPT-4o by supplying both text and images. The potential applications of this are extensive, unlocking options for superior visual search capabilities, enhanced object detection in self-driving vehicles, and even improved medical image analysis. Essentially, developers can now instruct GPT-4o to visually identify specific objects or patterns, rendering it a more adaptable tool across various sectors.

#### A Change in Leadership Emphasis: Where’s Sam Altman?

A conspicuous change in this year’s DevDay was the absence of a keynote speech from OpenAI CEO **Sam Altman**, who had delivered a Steve Jobs-like presentation at last year’s event. Instead, the keynote was conducted by the OpenAI product team, indicating a shift in emphasis from leadership to technology.

Last year’s DevDay, which took place on November 6, 2023, featured Altman delivering a live keynote to developers, OpenAI staff, and the media. The event also included a surprise visit from Microsoft CEO **Satya Nadella**, who underscored the partnership between the two firms. However, merely 11 days post-event, OpenAI’s board made headlines by terminating Altman, citing “less-than-candid communications” as the reason. This action sparked a week of upheaval, ultimately leading to Altman’s reinstatement as CEO and the installation of a new board of directors.

Some insiders speculated that Altman’s keynote and the introduction of the **GPT Store**—a marketplace for tailored AI assistants—may have been a contributing factor to his dismissal. There were internal conflicts regarding the company’s pivot towards a more consumer-oriented approach, particularly following the introduction of **ChatGPT**. Given this background, it seems plausible that OpenAI opted to highlight technology at this year’s event rather than its CEO.

Despite the lack of a keynote, Altman was in attendance at the San Francisco event and was scheduled to engage in a closing “fireside chat” later in the day. He also shared a message on X (formerly Twitter), reflecting on the significant transformations OpenAI has faced since last year’s DevDay:

> “From last devday to this one:
> *98% decrease in cost per token from GPT-4 to 4o mini
> *50x increase in token volume across our systems
> *excellent model intelligence progress

Judge Determines eBay Shielded by Section 230 in Advertisements Related to Prohibited Chemicals

**eBay Prevails in DOJ Lawsuit Regarding Banned Product Sales, Referencing Section 230 Safeguards**

eBay has emerged victorious in a lawsuit initiated by the US Department of Justice (DOJ), which claimed that the online marketplace enabled the sale of numerous banned items, encompassing products that breached regulations for environmental protection and public safety. The action, filed last autumn, focused on eBay’s involvement in facilitating user sales of products that the DOJ contended were unlawful, such as devices for tampering with vehicle emissions, unregistered pesticides, and items containing hazardous chemicals like methylene chloride.

### The DOJ’s Claims

The DOJ’s lawsuit targeted a broad variety of products available on eBay’s platform, including:

– **Devices for tampering with vehicle emissions**: The DOJ identified over 343,011 aftermarket parts for cars that could potentially be used to manipulate or deactivate emissions control systems vital for minimizing air pollution.

– **Pesticides without registration**: The lawsuit also highlighted about 23,000 pesticides that were unregistered, misbranded, or restricted, posing serious threats to public health and the environment.

– **Products containing methylene chloride**: The DOJ drew attention to items that contained methylene chloride, a chemical found in paint and coating removal products. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has prohibited many uses of methylene chloride because of its connections to cancer, liver harm, and even fatalities.

In response to these accusations, eBay maintained that it bore no responsibility for the products’ sale, as it does not engage in direct sales of items on its platform, asserting that it simply provides a venue for third-party vendors.

### Section 230: eBay’s Legal Defense

In her judgment, US District Judge Orelia Merchant supported eBay’s position, invoking **Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act**, which grants online platforms immunity from liability regarding third-party content. This legal protection has been a foundational element of internet legislation, enabling entities like eBay, Facebook, and YouTube to operate without assuming responsibility for user-generated material.

Judge Merchant referred to a 2004 case where the jewelry brand Tiffany took eBay to court over counterfeit merchandise sold on the platform. In that instance, the court concluded that eBay was not at fault for selling counterfeit goods, as it did not physically handle or sell those items. Similarly, in the current DOJ case, Merchant determined that eBay did not directly sell the restricted products, thus shielding the company from liability under Section 230.

“eBay asserts that it does not actually ‘sell’ any items listed on its platform,” Merchant stated, confirming that eBay’s role as a facilitator of third-party transactions, as opposed to a direct seller, granted it protection under Section 230.

### A Partial Win for the DOJ

While eBay effectively defended itself against the majority of the DOJ’s allegations, the court found that the company had breached the **Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)** and the **Methylene Chloride Rule** by neglecting to take down certain listings of products that contained methylene chloride. Under these regulations, the DOJ contended that eBay functioned as a “retailer” that put harmful products into the marketplace.

eBay argued that the TSCA should only pertain to the initial seller introducing a product into the market, but Judge Merchant dismissed this argument. She pointed out that such a limited interpretation of the law would undermine its intent, which is to safeguard the public from dangerous substances.

Nonetheless, despite this partial win for the DOJ, eBay again cited Section 230, arguing that it could not be held liable for not removing third-party listings. Judge Merchant concurred, ruling that the government’s claims did not constitute a case that could bypass eBay’s Section 230 defenses.

### eBay’s Dedication to Marketplace Safety

Following the ruling, eBay expressed contentment with the outcome. A representative for the company informed **Ars Technica** that eBay valued the court’s “thoughtful review” and insisted that the lawsuit should not proceed.

“Preserving a secure and trusted marketplace for our global network of sellers and buyers is a core principle of our operations at eBay,” the representative stated. “As we have consistently done, eBay will continue to allocate significant resources to bolster its established and proactive measures to mitigate the listing of prohibited items on our platform.”

eBay has previously implemented measures to tackle issues related to harmful products on its platform. For instance, in a distinct case earlier this year, the company agreed to pay $59 million to settle a DOJ lawsuit concerning the sale of pill presses, which were associated with fentanyl drug operations. In that situation, eBay did not invoke Section 230, choosing instead to settle without conceding to any wrongdoing.

### The Case’s Future

Since Judge Merchant dismissed the DOJ’s lawsuit with prejudice, the government will not have the ability to

Car Dealers Reinforce Stand Against Electric Vehicle Regulations

## Car Dealers Raise Alarm About EV Demand Ahead of Zero-Emission Regulations

Recently, a collective of more than 5,000 car dealers has expressed serious apprehensions regarding the escalating push to sell electric vehicles (EVs) amidst what they describe as inadequate consumer appetite. These dealers are especially concerned about the implications of impending federal and state laws mandating automakers to offer a larger share of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), including battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids.

### The Drive for Zero-Emission Vehicles

The core of the worry originates from the requirements established by the **California Air Resources Board (CARB)**, which have been embraced by 17 other states and the District of Columbia. These states, referred to as the **Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) states**, adhere to California’s rigorous emissions criteria. The regulations stipulate that by 2035, all newly sold cars and light trucks must be zero-emission vehicles. This encompasses BEVs, plug-in hybrids, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

The shift to ZEVs is set to accelerate with the debut of the 2026 model year, scheduled to commence in the middle of next year. By that point, dealers assert that one-third of all new vehicles sold in ZEV states must be BEVs. Nonetheless, they contend that the current market demand for EVs is insufficient to fulfill these expectations, raising alarms regarding possible economic and logistical repercussions for both consumers and dealerships.

### The Dealers’ Apprehensions

The primary concern among car dealers is that the mandates will disrupt the equilibrium between supply and demand, especially for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. As manufacturers adjust production to comply with ZEV requirements, the availability of gasoline-powered and hybrid vehicles is expected to decline. This shortage of traditional vehicles could lead to increased prices, making them less affordable for consumers who are not yet ready to transition to electric.

In a public declaration, the dealers cautioned that the mandates would lead to a “de facto” scenario in which dealerships must sell more EVs, even when consumer interest is low. They posit that this could result in elevated prices for both EVs and ICE vehicles, ultimately disadvantaging consumers.

> “This is a de facto mandate, as dealerships will be allocated fewer internal combustion engine and hybrid vehicles, and due to the lack of BEV sales, the result will create excessive demand driving up prices for customers,” the group stated.

### Sluggish EV Sales Expansion in 2024

Although EV sales have been on the rise, the pace of growth has decelerated in 2024 compared to the prior year. In 2023, EV sales skyrocketed by 50 percent, but in 2024, the growth rate has diminished to approximately 12.5 percent. While this still represents positive growth, dealers argue that it falls short of justifying the swift transition toward ZEVs mandated by upcoming laws.

Some industry analysts have noted that characterizing this slower growth as a “flatlining” of EV sales is an overstatement. However, the dealers assert that the deceleration in growth indicates that consumer demand is not aligning with regulatory targets.

### Gaps in Consumer Knowledge

A key issue highlighted by the dealers is the lack of consumer awareness and understanding regarding EVs. They argue that many prospective buyers are still unsure about several essential elements of EV ownership, including:

– **Charging Infrastructure**: Many consumers are unclear about where they can charge their EVs and how long it takes to fully charge a vehicle.
– **Battery Life**: There is considerable confusion surrounding the lifespan of EV batteries and the costs associated with their replacement.
– **Range Anxiety**: Concerns about losing range, especially in colder climates, continue to pose a significant obstacle for numerous potential EV purchasers.

The dealers contend that these knowledge deficiencies are hindering faster EV adoption. Notably, they emphasize that dealerships should serve as the primary source for consumers to inquire about these issues and obtain the necessary information to make informed choices. Nonetheless, the dealers suggest that greater efforts are needed to educate consumers on the benefits and challenges associated with EV ownership.

### The Larger Context: Federal Regulations and Industry Changes

The dealers’ concerns emerge at a moment when federal and state authorities are intensifying efforts to mitigate carbon emissions from the transportation sector. Earlier this year, the dealer group urged the White House to reassess forthcoming federal fuel efficiency regulations, which would obligate automakers to offer a larger fraction of EVs. These regulations form part of a broader initiative to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, a significant contributor to pollution in the United States.

Automakers have been heavily investing in EV technology and infrastructure. Major corporations such as **Ford**, **General Motors**, and **Tesla** have unveiled ambitious plans to electrify their fleets over