The only real developer behind AetherSX2, a PlayStation 2 emulator for Android gadgets, introduced that they’re discontinuing growth of the app because of the “neverending” on-line impersonation, complaints, calls for, and dying threats they’ve endured.
“AetherSX2 was at all times meant to be a enjoyable passion for me, not revenue pushed. It doesn’t make sense to proceed engaged on a passion which isn’t enjoyable anymore,” the developer mentioned in a quick put up on the AetherSX2 web site asserting the suspension of growth. “Because of everybody who wasn’t a d*ck for the final yr.”
Previous to AetherSX2, the one viable emulation choice for individuals who wished to play PS2 video games on their Android gadgets was DamonPS2. Nonetheless, of us in emulator circles appreciated having AetherSX2 instead as a result of DamonPS2, a for-profit closed-source app, was accused of stealing supply code by the crew behind free open-source PS2 emulator PCXS2 in a now-deleted put up that you’ll be able to view by means of the Wayback Machine.
Main as much as the developer’s determination to discontinue engaged on AetherSX2, of us on the r/EmulatiotnonAndroid subreddit voiced concern over the strain that the AetherSX2 developer handled whereas being inundated with calls for from customers. In a screenshotted Discord put up, the AetherSX2 developer, who goes by the deal with Tahlreth, defined why they disabled their Discord channel. In line with the screenshotted put up, “some moron” requested that they get the emulator to work on ioS.
“Congrats guys, you prodded and pushed one other developer an excessive amount of and so they’re severely contemplating simply stopping for good,” Tahlreth wrote within the screenshotted Discord put up.
Kotaku reached out to Tahlreth for remark.
In line with the developer’s put up on the AetherSX2 web site, of us can nonetheless obtain and use present builds of AetherSX2 “for the foreseeable future.” As a footnote, the developer warned folks to apply “good safety hygiene” and never set up any Android package deal recordsdata from random corners of the web.