DuckStation Inventor Changes PS1 Emulator License, Threatens to End Project

In recent days, the gaming emulation community was taken aback by a potential crisis involving the DuckStation, one of the most popular PlayStation 1 emulators. The creator of the software, known as Stenzek, made a significant change to the project’s license, sparking a number of discussions and concerns about the emulator’s future.

What prompted the change

The decision to alter the DuckStation’s license was made after the developer discovered that companies were using the emulator for commercial purposes without proper attribution or contribution to the community, as required by open source standards. Among the most notable cases was Arcade1Up, which used DuckStation in their arcade machines to run the game The Simpsons Bowling.

With the new license — a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International version —, the use of DuckStation became more restricted. It is now forbidden to modify the code for commercial purposes, to prevent companies from profiting from the project without contributing to its evolution.

Pressure on the developer

Apart from inappropriate use by third parties, the developer has been facing criticism and threats from the user community itself. In social media conversations, Stenzek stated that he was “fed up” with the situation and even suggested that he might shut down the project if the environment continues to be hostile.

It is not the first time that Stenzek has made such a decision. He is also the developer of AetherSX2, the already legendary PlayStation 2 emulator, a project which he abandoned due to demands and threats from the community. According to rumors, Stenzek and Tahlreth, the first developer of AetherSX2, are the same person.

The future of DuckStation

Despite the declarations, many users hope that DuckStation will continue to be developed. The emulator is widely considered one of the best options for running PS1 games, offering high accuracy and compatibility with various platforms such as Windows, Android, and Xbox​.

However, the continuity of the project is threatened and the closure of DuckStation could become a reality if the developer does not find a solution to the problems he faces. So far, the creator has not given a final date, but the community remains apprehensive about the emulator’s future.

With information from Mr. Sujano