24 votes

Apple opens the App Store to retro game emulators

15 comments

  1. [5]
    BashCrandiboot
    Link
    When did they stop? Back in the iPhone 4 days, I had a few emulators on my phone, and my phone definitely wasn't jailbroken. The article barely even delves into the headline tbh.

    When did they stop? Back in the iPhone 4 days, I had a few emulators on my phone, and my phone definitely wasn't jailbroken. The article barely even delves into the headline tbh.

    9 votes
    1. PuddleOfKittens
      Link Parent
      AIUI the app store has a general policy of "no VMs allowed, no apps that run user-provided code", and I'd guess that applies to emulators. I think they're resuming it because they know damn well...

      When did they stop?

      AIUI the app store has a general policy of "no VMs allowed, no apps that run user-provided code", and I'd guess that applies to emulators.

      I think they're resuming it because they know damn well that people want this, and that since they're forced by the EU to permit sideloading, they can no longer prevent people from running emulators and attempting to do so will just encourage people to sideload the emulator - in other words, emulator-users will just go to their competitors, giving competitors a nice foot in the door.

      10 votes
    2. [3]
      smcttl
      Link Parent
      I downloaded ScummVM from the App Store a couple of months ago (works great!). So also surprised to see this as “news”. But perhaps Apple just formalized their policy?

      I downloaded ScummVM from the App Store a couple of months ago (works great!). So also surprised to see this as “news”.

      But perhaps Apple just formalized their policy?

      1 vote
      1. [2]
        Akir
        Link Parent
        ScummVM isn’t an emulator; it’s a reimplementation of a couple of different game engines.

        ScummVM isn’t an emulator; it’s a reimplementation of a couple of different game engines.

        2 votes
        1. Deely
          Link Parent
          Technycally it works like emulator, allowing to run original code on different platforms, but you right, its a fuzzy definition.

          Technycally it works like emulator, allowing to run original code on different platforms, but you right, its a fuzzy definition.

          3 votes
  2. Crestwave
    Link
    The exact wording is: which seems to imply that users will not be able to use their own ROMs. Rather, this seems to be targeted towards publishers who want to make their own games available.

    The exact wording is:

    Apps may offer certain software that is not embedded in the binary, specifically HTML5 mini apps and mini games, streaming games, chatbots, and plug-ins. Additionally, retro game console emulator apps can offer to download games. You are responsible for all such software offered in your app, including ensuring that such software complies with these Guidelines and all applicable laws. Software that does not comply with one or more guidelines will lead to the rejection of your app. You must also ensure that the software adheres to the additional rules that follow in 4.7.1 and 4.7.5. These additional rules are important to preserve the experience that App Store customers expect, and to help ensure user safety.

    which seems to imply that users will not be able to use their own ROMs. Rather, this seems to be targeted towards publishers who want to make their own games available.

    7 votes
  3. ali
    Link
    Wow that’s great news. One of the main reasons I wanted to install the alternative App Store was for Delta. I used to self sign it but I just don’t like having to take extra steps, and if I...

    Wow that’s great news. One of the main reasons I wanted to install the alternative App Store was for Delta. I used to self sign it but I just don’t like having to take extra steps, and if I remember right, it would just randomly stop working.

    4 votes
  4. [6]
    moocow1452
    (edited )
    Link
    It looks like we’re starting to see some projects hitting the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/igba-gba-gbc-retro-emulator/id6482993626 This one looks to be an asset flip of some sort, as...

    It looks like we’re starting to see some projects hitting the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/igba-gba-gbc-retro-emulator/id6482993626

    This one looks to be an asset flip of some sort, as the devs other projects are all over the place.

    3 votes
    1. [5]
      adorac
      Link Parent
      I am concerned by the fact that it uses location data for tracking, at least according to the app page.

      I am concerned by the fact that it uses location data for tracking, at least according to the app page.

      3 votes
      1. [4]
        moocow1452
        Link Parent
        Agreed, hopefully the original devs or a benevolent benefactor will upload a clean iteration.

        Agreed, hopefully the original devs or a benevolent benefactor will upload a clean iteration.

        3 votes
        1. [3]
          donn
          Link Parent
          Seems to be just https://bitbucket.org/rileytestut/gba4ios stuffed with ads Riley Testut is curiously mum about Delta (the successor project) coming to the App Store.

          Seems to be just https://bitbucket.org/rileytestut/gba4ios stuffed with ads

          Riley Testut is curiously mum about Delta (the successor project) coming to the App Store.

          6 votes
          1. vildravn
            Link Parent
            Riley has been ready for a while, Apple is holding things up. They've just complained about Apple approving the app before the AltStore. Delta has been approved for a week now and it looks like...

            Riley has been ready for a while, Apple is holding things up. They've just complained about Apple approving the app before the AltStore.

            Delta has been approved for a week now and it looks like AltStore is finally in review.

            So it seems Delta might not be coming to App Store itself.

            2 votes
  5. EarlyWords
    Link
    I doubt any of the emulators are available yet, since the rule change was just announced yesterday, but I would like access to a number of old games. Hoping that when these emulators appear in the...

    I doubt any of the emulators are available yet, since the rule change was just announced yesterday, but I would like access to a number of old games.

    Hoping that when these emulators appear in the App Store someone might provide a follow up with links to them.

    1 vote