if I got a fnaf APK from a sketchy site, does that count as a illegal rom since I didn't pay for it?
While roms (such as apks) definitely aren't illegal if you create them yourself (aka game backups), I'm pretty sure downloading a game you're supposed to pay for is definitely piracy, if not illegal, although it is in a very legally grey area.
does anyone care if you get roms from rom sites anyways? theres no way people like japyin owns and dumps every game he emulates
There's this in the site's rules [quote=Site Rules]Do not post pirated commercially owned games or ROMs or links to those games or ROMs anywhere on the site.[/quote] Also APKs should not be considered a ROM since the wikipedia says that ROMs are for older devices such as arcades I hardly know what ROMs are so I'm probably not helping much lol
[quote]does anyone care if you get roms from rom sites anyways?[/quote] As long as it's not modified from the original game, no. It's much more common to care about what emulator is used, and certain games don't allow emulator runs at all.
Check the game's TOS. Most will state that as long as the apk is unmodified and gives proper credit on the apk distribution site, then its ok, as there are plently of regions which are unable to access the play store and install their apks from other services, such as apk pure. What isn't ok is modified apks which make purchased content free, as that is considered piracy.
Also @Sizzyl Roms and Apks are different. An app install from the play store is an apk, for example, while a ROM has to be retrieved from a separate medium such as a disc or cartridge.