DuckStation is an emulator for the original Sony PlayStation (PS1), which delivers highly accurate emulation while optimizing for performance and maintainability across many platforms, including Linux. Unfortunately, however, due to recent drama, the software may no longer be available to Linux users. Here’s what’s going on.
In a somewhat unexpected move, DuckStation’s lead developer has pulled the project’s official PKGBUILD script, citing ongoing frustrations with Arch Linux users.
Initially, he provided the PKGBUILD script as a helpful workaround to resolve persistent issues found in unofficial AUR packages. However, it seems the gesture backfired. According to the developer, Arch users repeatedly ignored official guidelines, preferring instead to use unofficial, often broken packages, and subsequently directing complaints to him rather than the package maintainers.
All this resulted in “I specifically forbid packages for DuckStation,” which the dev noted in a clear and frustrated statement. Additionally, he expressed further irritation at the fact that there’s no straightforward way to request removal of the problematic AUR packages without disclosing personal details to a Linux distribution he explicitly wants nothing to do with.
The bigger problem, however, is that this will most likely not be limited to Arch users only. The dev is now considering the drastic step of dropping Linux support entirely.
So this is step one. Next step will be removing Linux support entirely, because I’m sick of the headaches and hacks for an operating system that only compromises 2% of the userbase, and I don’t even use myself.
And if your first thought is, “Why doesn’t someone just fork the repo and keep developing it on their own?”—well, turns out it’s not that simple. Here’s why.
DuckStation was originally released under the GPL v3 open-source license. However, in late 2024, the software licensing shifted to a more restrictive source-available model, CC-BY-NC-ND. This change prohibits commercial use, derivative works, or repackaging without explicit permission—that includes community packaging (e.g., Linux distributions)
Still, there’s a glimmer of hope. The dev left the door open slightly, expressing his hope that the Linux community might become more reasonable about these issues.
