# Near

> programmer

**Wikidata**: [Q68341644](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q68341644)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_(programmer))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/near

## Summary
Near, a programmer known by aliases including byuu and David Ginder, was the creator of the high-accuracy SNES emulator Higan. They died by suicide in Tokyo in June 2021 after publicly discussing their struggles with autism and online harassment.

## Biography
- Born: February 21, 1983
- Death: June 27, 2021, Tokyo
- Occupation: programmer
- Employer: Cyber Gadget (2019 - June 27, 2021)
- Known for: Creating the Higan emulator
- Sex or Gender: Non-binary

## Contributions
Near developed Higan, a highly accurate multi-system emulator for consoles including the Super NES (SNES), Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Game Boy, and others. Known for its cycle-accurate simulation, Higan set a new standard for emulation precision, meticulously replicating hardware behavior to preserve game authenticity. First released in the early 2000s (initially named higan), the emulator became a benchmark in the emulation community, influencing subsequent projects and preserving game history. Near actively maintained and updated the software for nearly two decades before their death, making the source code available publicly, ensuring its legacy and continued development.

## FAQs
### Q: What was Near's real name?
A: Near's real name was David Kirk Ginder, also known as David Ginder. They were professionally known by the pseudonym Near (or byuu).

### Q: What is Higan?
A: Higan is a highly accurate, open-source multi-system emulator developed by Near, known for its precise cycle-level simulation of various 8-bit and 16-bit game consoles like the SNES, NES, and Game Boy.

### Q: How did Near die?
A: Near died by suicide in Tokyo on June 27, 2021. Their death followed periods of online harassment and public discussion of their struggles with autism.

### Q: Where did Near work?
A: Near was employed as a programmer at Cyber Gadget from 2019 until their death in June 2021.

## Why They Matter
Near fundamentally advanced the field of video game emulation through Higan's unparalleled accuracy, setting a technical standard that influenced countless developers and preservationists. Their meticulous work ensured digital preservation of classic games with unprecedented fidelity. Openly discussing their autism and documenting the intense online harassment they faced, Near also brought critical attention to the toxic realities of online communities and their impact on neurodivergent individuals, contributing to broader conversations about digital well-being and suicide prevention advocacy.

## Notable For
*   Creating the cycle-accurate Higan emulator, a landmark achievement in video game preservation and emulation accuracy.
*   Publicly disclosing their autism diagnosis and speaking out against the online harassment they endured.
*   Being employed as a programmer at Cyber Gadget from 2019 until their death in 2021.
*   Developing and maintaining Higan for nearly two decades before passing away in 2021.

## Body
### Identity and Personal Details
*   Birth name: David Kirk Ginder (also referred to as David Ginder).
*   Widely known by the pseudonym "Near" (or "byuu").
*   Identified as non-binary.
*   Diagnosed with autism.
*   Born February 21, 1983.
*   Died June 27, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan, by suicide.
*   Final employer: Cyber Gadget (employed from 2019 until death on June 27, 2021).

### Online Presence and Pseudonyms
*   Used the pseudonym "byuu" professionally and online for most of their emulation work.
*   GitHub username: byuu.
*   Twitter username: near_koukai (used from December 21, 2020, until June 28, 2021).
*   Medium username: byuu_san.
*   Wikimedia Commons username: Byuusan.

### Career and Technical Contributions
*   Profession: Programmer.
*   Known primarily as the developer of Higan (originally named "higan").
*   Higan is a free, open-source, cycle-accurate emulator supporting multiple systems, including:
    *   Super NES (SNES)
    *   Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
    *   Game Boy and Game Boy Color
    *   Game Boy Advance
    *   PC Engine (TurboGrafx-16)
    *   Sega Master System
    *   Sega Mega Drive / Genesis
*   The emulator is renowned for its high degree of hardware simulation accuracy, often considered the gold standard for preservation of classic games.
*   Made the Higan source code publicly available.
*   Actively developed and updated Higan for approximately two decades.

## References

1. [The Brilliant SNES Emulator Author Known As Near Has Died. 2021](https://kotaku.com/the-brilliant-snes-emulator-creator-known-as-near-has-d-1847182851)
2. [Source](https://eu.usatoday.com/story/tech/2021/07/23/how-toxic-online-cultures-trolling-and-bullying-contribute-suicide/8042846002/)