21fx Expected Criticisms
Undoubtedly, the idea of creating an unlicensed hardware peripheral will cause controversy.
"You should always design the hardware prototypes before the software implementation!"
Yes! This is absolutely true, and a very valid complaint. Unfortunately, I am not a hardware engineer. I need help with that side. However, I believe I stand a better chance of attracting interest by creating tangible, demonstrable software to prove the idea has merit. I will do everything I can to maintain compatibility with the current API, but if it becomes absolutely necessary to make slight changes to the API, then we can do that when a prototype is ready.
I hope that prospect doesn't scare people off from giving the API a try. I have designed the API with hardware limitations in mind the entire time, and made the emulator implementation as overly restrictive as possible. Most likely, a hardware version would only be superior while still being 100% compatible. Of course, the best thing we can do is get the hardware ready as quickly as possible. Lastly, the API is exceptionally small at only three registers. So long as the source is available, it should only take a minute or so to update in the unlikely case an API change is needed.
"Why not just create a new game for the PC instead of extending the SNES?"
The biggest reason is that creating a new game would take several months time at the very least, and could never be fully faithful to the original. Whereas with 21fx, extending an existing game would only take a few hours at best. It would also lose the portability of working on virtually any computer, console, or even cellphone; whereas you can find SNES emulators everywhere. It's sort of like Java, only it doesn't suck. And lastly, because it's fun.
"But such a hardware device doesn't even exist! You could make up anything!"
No, the device was designed to be very realistic for a hardware design. The more software produced will no doubt increase the demand to create the hardware. It is very much intended to be a real device.
"If you emulate one unlicensed device, you would have to emulate them all!"
Not at all. This is not black and white, all or nothing. I believe 21fx has real value, and is worth creating.
There will still be those completely opposed to the idea. That's just life. But I won't be deterred: if you truly aren't happy, simply ignore the device. Just as with N64 hires texture packs, you don't have to use it if you don't want to. The accuracy of my emulator has not been compromised at all by adding this.