Work has ceased on the Android-based PS2 emulator AetherSX2 and for a sad reason. The developer said he has “indefinitely suspended” work on the app due to “death threats” and other issues.
A statement posted on the official site for the emulator says:
Due to neverending impersonating, complaints, demands, and now death threats, I’m done.
You can still download/use the app and it will continue to work for the forseeable future.
AetherSX2 was always meant to be a fun hobby for me, not profit driven. It doesn’t make sense to continue working on a hobby which isn’t fun anymore.
Stay safe out there, and watch out for scammers, there seems to be a lot of them.
(e.g. there’s multiple people claiming to represent AetherSX2 on various social media – they are not legit)
Thanks to everyone who wasn’t a d*ck for the last year.
All this being said, the emulator will continue to function and can still be downloaded from trusted sources, however, no further development will take place due to these events. The only other option for PS2 game emulation on Android is, DamonPS2, which according to Android Authority, is a “for-profit, closed-source app with a very shady past”. AetherSX2 provided a vital alternative for those who didn’t want to be part of that and so this is a blow to the community.