IMC Games is notoriously litigious. In 2021, they successfully shut down "GE Legacy," a popular emulator, via a DMCA subpoena to Github. However, the current generation of file hosts has learned:
For almost a decade, available "files" were honeypots or corrupted Russian leaks. The few working repacks (notably the early 2010s "Barracuda" leak) were clunky, buggy, and locked to version 5.0 (the "Revelation" era). Players who wanted the modern Grand Class or the Visconde system were out of luck. Granado Espada Server Files Do Rise
Often introduces "Renaissance Gold" or similar tokens that allow players to purchase premium Cash Shop items through gameplay rather than real money. Simplified Progression: IMC Games is notoriously litigious
Three factors suggest the trend is permanent. they successfully shut down "GE Legacy