Apple’s recent decision to allow retro game emulator apps on the App Store has been met with enthusiasm from gamers, but it seems that this policy change does not extend to emulating classic PC platforms. Developers of DOS and early x32 emulators have found their submissions rejected due to violating the App Store’s guidelines.
The ambiguity of Apple’s guidelines has left developers puzzled, with questions arising about what constitutes a console versus a PC. Despite the availability of Commodore 64 emulators on the App Store, which blurs the line between console and PC, other PC emulators have not been granted the same approval.
In contrast, Google’s Play Store for Android devices has a more lenient approach to emulation apps, allowing a wide range of platforms as long as they don’t contain copyrighted content. This discrepancy highlights the difference in policies between Apple and Google when it comes to retro emulation on mobile devices.
With the recent changes in Apple’s stance on third-party app stores in the EU, there may be hope for users to access PC emulators on iOS devices in the future. However, the process may not be as straightforward as on Android due to Apple’s strict control over the App Store ecosystem.
Overall, the issue of retro PC emulators on the App Store raises questions about the balance between preserving classic software and abiding by platform regulations. Developers and users alike will need to navigate these complexities as they seek to enjoy vintage computing experiences on modern devices.
