Sending out a NES OS

[bnewman]

Opinions within the gamer community differ widely regarding the ethics of emulation — copying old games onto modern computers where they can be played by using software tools to mimic the behavior of older console hardware. Most video game publishers are strongly opposed of course, and fans agree that the people who make our games should be able to profit from them. But, because of their dependence on aging hardware, games are one of the least-well-preserved of all media types. Allowing pieces of our culture to vanish forever because their "owners" didn't find it profitable to preserve them, for generation after generation, doesn't "promote the progress of science and the useful arts".

And then of course there's this terrible pun.

lyrics by Benjamin Newman

ttto: "Message in a Bottle" by The Police

listen to this song
 

/: BmG AEm :/

 

All the games we play, on console or PC, oh

Could simply fade away, if not for you and me, oh

More games on NES than any fan could share

Rescue them before they're lost to disrepair, oh

 

/: G CD :/: Em C :/: Bm G Bm G :/

 

I'll send a NES OS to the world (2x)

I hope that someone gets my (3x)

Emulator module (2x)

 

So many hands work to make each game

We know those artists ought to get paid

But console hardware won't last forever

I think it's not the same when classics can't be played

 

I'll send a NES OS to the world (2x)

I hope that someone gets my (3x)

Emulator module (2x)

 

Woke up this morning, picked up my Nintendo Switch

Couple hundred classic games, scratch that nostalgic itch

Seems we'll pay for a lease to play a period piece

But what about the thousands more they'll never rerelease?

 

I'll send a NES OS to the world (2x)

I hope that someone gets my (3x)

Emulator module (2x)

 

Sending out a NES OS... (to fade)