Open-source emulator for Nintendo GameCube and Wii Dolphin Emulator has now made its final stance on its Steam launch.
Dolphin Emulator Stops Steam Release
The Dolphin Emulator Project Team recently posted in a blog to announce it is canceling the Steam release of the emulator. “We are abandoning our efforts to release Dolphin on Steam,” said the team behind the emulator. “Valve ultimately runs the store and can set any condition they wish for software to appear on it.”
Big Plans Halted by Nintendo
Way back in March 2023, the Dolphin Emulator Team announced its plans to release the emulator on Valve’s PC digital distribution platform, Steam. Then later in May 2023, the team revealed that the Steam release was indefinitely postponed after it got served with a cease-and-desist order from Nintendo.
Nintendo Insists Emulator Launch ‘Harmful’
It was then reported later on that Valve notified Nintendo that the emulator was going to be released on Steam. The emulator’s project team notes that Nintendo’s legal counsel requested Valve halt the launch of the emulator on Steam. Valve then told the team that it had to come to an agreement with Nintendo” before it could release on the platform. Nintendo says its decision to issue the cease-and-desist against the emulator was the right decision saying that if it was going to be released on Steam, it would only harm development and “stifle” innovation.
The Dolphin Emulator team says that it is not in any legal danger and they respect Valve’s decision. It will not continue to release the emulator on Steam anymore.