Are MMO mods and emulators on their way out?

We don't talk about emulators on Massively often because we're forbidden to encourage illegal activities or link or name specific emulators save those rare few publicly sanctioned by studios (so please don't). In fact, we've written before that emulators are a frustrating topic for many of our writers since gamers pour boatloads of creativity and technical skill into both legal and illegal emulators for games dead and alive, creativity that we can't write about even when we'd like to.

I can't be the only one who's wondered whether legit modders and underworld emulator coders are abandoning their craft in favor of more legal ventures, however. There might be more sunsetted MMOs, moddable UIs, and calls for "classic" game versions than ever, but the rise of low-risk crowdfunding, easy Steam greenlighting, and modular multiplayer titles that encourage customization makes me suspect that people who once modded shady MMO emulators or built interfaces for the masses are being lured away to work on something more legitimate or profitable or resume-worthy.

What do you think? Are emulators and modding going out of fashion? (Please don't link to anything illegal!)

TH

Really this is a bit retarded to state.

Most emulators that can be made, have been made, so what do you expect if people are making less? I think the thirst for old school games is rising and will always be there, but when it's hard to emulate say a PS3 but you have everything else before that, then as I said, it will seem less.

Plus, with a younger generation coming into gaming, there will seem to be less desire by the main bunch that play video games as they don't want to play games like Pokemon Blue.

Modding will rise and fall depending on the games that permit it. GTA IV and Skyrim prove there is a still a hungry desire for modding.

TH