In another move that appears to have been made in response to pressure from US and EU regulators, Apple has announced that retro game emulators will be allowed in the iOS App Store – albeit with some pretty big caveats.
The change was noted in Apple’s app review guidelines (via The Verge ), which now state that “retro game console emulator apps may offer game downloads.” As you would expect, there are some conditions.
Apple says that developers are responsible for all software within their apps, and says that these emulators must comply with “all applicable laws” – and of course, the legality of emulators has always been a gray area.
Technically speaking, it’s illegal to run an emulated version of a game you haven’t actually paid for (even if you pay for the emulator). This could mean that only companies like Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo will be able to take advantage of the App Store policy changes and offer these emulator apps.
Mini apps and music streaming
Moreover, the updated guidelines also state that apps can contain mini-apps and mini-games within them, as long as they are written in HTML5. This applies to so-called ‘super apps’ such as WeChat, which offer a bunch of different apps in the same package – these apps now have to be web-based rather than running natively on the device.
Another guideline change that happened at the same time allows music streaming apps to connect to external websites to purchase products and services, navigate the Apple App Store and related payment systems.
Unlike the retro game emulator change, this one only applies in European Union countries. The EU recently fined Apple for keeping streaming services locked inside its own walled garden, with an associated 30% cut in all fees.
Apple hasn’t officially said so, but both of these moves are apparently designed to avoid further fines and further legal action: Apple is now under more scrutiny than ever when it comes to the restrictions it places on third-party apps and developers.