Ninjalerts, the Bitcoin Ordinals portfolio tracker, has accomplished a remarkable feat by encoding the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) emulator onto a satoshi. This breakthrough allows users to enjoy classic video games on the Bitcoin network.
In a recent X thread, Trevor Owens, the CEO of Ninjalerts, shared that it took six months of dedicated effort to adapt the emulator for compatibility across all marketplaces and explorers. Owens humorously stated, “If the Laser Eyes are going to safeguard our JPEGs for eternity, they might as well have some gaming fun!”
The decision to inscribe the SNES emulator on the blockchain was primarily driven by the need to preserve classic video games. Owens cited a study that highlighted the critical endangerment of 90% of these games. He argued that the Bitcoin network provides the ideal platform to safeguard these “cultural digital artifacts” for future generations.
Beyond preservation, Ninjalerts aimed to push the boundaries of technical innovation within Bitcoin Ordinals projects. Owens expressed the desire to harness the unique capabilities of Ordinals, which are difficult to replicate on the Ethereum network.
In addition to the tweet, Owens shared a comprehensive GitBook with 88 pages, offering detailed insights into the project, including images, code, and a walkthrough of the process.
The community response to this groundbreaking development was mixed. Some members hailed it as a positive advancement, taking Ordinals to new heights of enjoyment and versatility. Others likened it to the start of a new season for Ordinals.
However, concerns were raised by certain individuals. One user questioned whether the game copyright holders had granted permission for their games to be inscribed on the Bitcoin network. Another warned of potential legal consequences resulting from this action.
In a related article, the question of whether Bitcoin Ordinals has transformed Bitcoin into a less desirable version of Ethereum is explored, and potential solutions to address this issue are discussed.