Apple is loosening up its rules to bring back retro game emulators into the iOS ecosystem.
Developers of emulators may soon regain a lost market after Apple updated its App Store guidelines. The update seems to ease restrictions on emulators provided they follow the changes. This suggests that the company is now open to reviewing and approving such apps.
According to section 4.7 of the updated App Review Guidelines, game emulators are welcome to the App Store and can offer downloadable games. The caveat is they must follow all applicable laws, so if the games are pirated, expect the ban hammer to land a critical hit.
The same section also noted that developers should be responsible for what’s offered inside their apps. If their software fails to comply with the guidelines, it may lead to app rejection.
The updated guidelines look like a signal for emulators of retro games to come back and spread their visuals, sounds, and love to iOS owners. If things go smoothly, iPhones and iPad owners will finally experience many of their childhood favorites on their devices.
Meanwhile, mini-apps, mini-games, chatbots, and the like on super apps must run on HTML5 and they can’t be native apps and games.
Let’s hope developers will prime their retro game emulators on the App Store soon. Which retro title would you like to play on your iPhone?
