I think eventually if a federated system (or particular server) gets too popular they will just defederate from everyone else and perpetuate the same problem all over again

Yes, I wasn’t trying to refute that. But Nintendo can still ruin your life fighting a losing battle if they wanted to. To me it’s just not worth the risk of putting your name on it.

You’re not wrong. I just think that if you believe there is a good chance of having legal problems for your project (I don’t see why they wouldn’t have thought that), then it makes the most sense to do it anonymously from the beginning to avoid getting sued. Yes they can still possibly offer you money, but it might not be worth revealing your identity at that point either, as any continued development could be assumed to be you, and then you must defend yourself in court if they sue, even if it was never you.

I would consider that cartoony as well. You might disagree but that’s ok. I’m not trying to pretend like my opinion is popular, it’s just how I personally feel.

I should have articulated my point better. I meant that this has been the “final straw” for some people for most of those steps along the way in the picture. If you look at the comments from then it’s often the same kind of thing you’re seeing right now. That’s why I mentioned selection bias, because there are actually lots of final straws happening over time, people just aren’t seeing those or weren’t around then.

why now all of a sudden

It’s not new though, it has been happening for years. Selection bias might be skewing your view.

Attention and recognition.

Imagine not developing a controversial emulator anonymously…

You know ratings are inherently subjective right?

I’ve hated every cartoony zelda ever made. I will die playing LttP over and over again.

that is typically how boycotts work yes.

Nestle isn’t poisoning their bottled water but some people still refuse to buy it.

yes

protip: drop the word Project from the game title, sounds cooler without it