Oooh!
Apple has opened up guidelines that will allow for emulators on iPhones and iPads using iOS.
“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,” new App Store guidelines state.
“You are responsible for all such software offered in your app, including ensuring that such software complies with these Guidelines and all applicable laws,” they continued. “Software that does not comply with one or more guidelines will lead to the rejection of your app.”
That last clause is incredibly important, of course, as while emulators are just fine on iOS, illegally obtained ROMs are not.
It’s likely these new guidelines are in place thanks to an antitrust lawsuit files against Apple by the United States Department of Justice, which claims that Apple is attempting the “monopolization or attempted monopolization of smartphone markets in violation of Section 2 of the Sherman Act”.
There are a number of emulators already avaliable for competitor Android… but again, it gets a little hazy when you’re trying to find legal ROMs to then use on ’em.
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