In a move that will excite retro gaming enthusiasts, Apple has announced a significant change to its App Store policies. The tech giant is now allowing game emulators, which enable users to play classic games from older gaming systems, to be distributed through the App Store globally.
This decision marks a significant shift from Apple’s previous stance, where such emulators were strictly prohibited from the App Store. Retro gamers on iOS devices had to resort to workarounds like jailbreaking or other unofficial methods to access their beloved classic games.
With this update, popular emulators already available on Android platforms can now make their way to the iPhone and iPad ecosystem. However, Apple has made it clear that any games offered through these emulators must comply with all applicable laws, indicating a zero-tolerance policy for pirated content.
The relaxation of rules regarding emulators could be seen as a strategic move by Apple to preempt potential interest in third-party app stores, which are now permitted in the European Union. By providing a legitimate avenue for retro gaming on iOS devices, Apple aims to address a long-standing demand from its user base.
In addition to the emulator update, Apple has also clarified its stance on super apps like WeChat. The company now mandates that any mini-games or mini-apps within these super apps must be built using HTML5, effectively prohibiting the inclusion of native apps and games.
Apple’s decision to embrace retro game emulators and address concerns surrounding super apps appears to be a response to ongoing antitrust lawsuits and pressure from regulatory bodies. The United States’ antitrust lawsuit against Apple accused the company of attempting to stifle cloud game streaming apps and super apps.
Furthermore, Apple’s move aligns with the European Commission’s stance against the company’s anti-steering rules, which previously prevented music streaming apps from providing in-app links or pricing information for external purchases. Under the new rules, music streaming apps in the European Union can now include links to their websites for purchasing digital music content or services.
While these changes represent a step forward in addressing antitrust concerns, some companies like Spotify remain unsatisfied. Spotify argues that Apple’s decision to charge a commission on purchases made through external links defies the European Commission’s ruling, which stated that Apple must allow music streaming apps to communicate “freely” with users.
