Google pulls game emulators from Android market

Gamers with devices using Google's Android operating system were surprised last weekend to see popular emulators —software that allows users to play games for popular game consoles— pulled off the Android Market. But the surprise also extended to developers of the removed emulators, whose privileges were cut off. One of the developers, yongzh (Yong Zhang in real life), said that his developer account was removed and his apps pulled without warning, cutting off his primary source of income and leaving him with an inbox stuffed with worried email from customers, tech site Engadget reported Monday (Manila time). Yongzh had developed the popular emulators Nesoid, Snesoid, Gensoid, N64oid, Ataroid, Gearoid and Gameboid, the Engadget report said. Google also cut off the developers' privileges, including those of another developer known as ZodTTD. Observers have given different opinions on Google's actions, with some saying that yongzh may have profited by copying other works; while others claimed Google should have at least notified yongzh why his apps were removed. For now, Engadget reported that yongzh has migrated some of his emulators to third-party app store SlideME, where they will be free for now. "He's not too optimistic about his prospects at SlideME, though," Engadget said. Meanwhile, Google has yet to release an official statement on the matter. — TJD, GMA News