Game emulators have changed the iPhone and Apple’s iOS system is moving towards openness

Recently, Apple’s App Store has welcomed several emulator applications. Many people may not understand that an emulator is actually a kind of software, and the emulator we are going to talk about now allows users to run games from retro game consoles (such as Game Boy Advance) on iPhone or iPad, and users We only need to obtain the game code that was originally installed on the hardware (such as a cartridge).

1. Soon after the Delta emulator was released, it climbed to the top of the App Store download rankings in 35 countries/regions,

2. The iPad version of the emulator application will also be launched soon,
3. and then the PlayStation 1 game Gamma simulator and PPSSPP, known as "the best mobile simulator currently", have landed on the App Store.

Billions of Apple users around the world can finally relive classic works from decades ago through modern smartphones.

For gamers, the appearance of these emulators in the App Store is undoubtedly exciting, but their significance is much more than that. As we all know, Apple has very strict management of the iOS system, which brings high security to iOS, but also restricts the freedom of iOS users. Now, the emergence of these simulators means that Apple’s control over iOS is finally showing signs of loosening.

Why now?

For years, Apple has had a wait-and-see approach to emulators. It wasn’t until the EU market rules were reformed that Apple decided to make a massive overhaul of the iPhone ecosystem. Apple has previously avoided using emulators for two core reasons: legal ambiguity and concerns about the platform itself.

1. Legal Background

Nintendo has slammed Nintendo Switch emulator Yuzu, accusing it of "condoning large-scale piracy." Yuzu insists that users must have a legitimate copy of the game to use it. Despite this, Yuzu still paid Nintendo a settlement of $2.5 million.

2. Apple situation

Apple does not welcome game streaming apps on the App Store because cloud gaming reduces the need for high-performance hardware. In this case, emulators become the choice for Apple users.

3. Significant

EU market rule reform allows emulators, Apple needs to guard against potential problems.

4. Keep retro gaming alive

The emulator keeps retro gaming alive by recreating old games on your iPhone.

1. Emulators Preserve Retro Games

Many preservationists and retro game enthusiasts believe that emulators are a great way to preserve those old games that may be gone forever.

2. Classic games are gone

According to 2023 data from the Video Game History Foundation and the Software Preservation Network, approximately 87% of classic games have been lost forever.

3. Apple opens emulator restrictions

With hundreds of millions of users, Apple has relaxed restrictions on emulators, which will undoubtedly provide a broad environment for old games to survive.

4. Microsoft’s reaction

Microsoft, which is committed to saving games on the Xbox platform, will be happy with this development.

5. Apple policy change

The arrival of the simulator marks another major change in Apple policy. Apple now allows users to take software code designed for other platforms, load it into apps, and enjoy it on their iPhone.

6. iOS system improvements

Apple iOS is gradually improving, albeit a bit slowly.

1. Allowing the setting of default applications, playing picture-in-picture videos, customizing home screen widgets, setting the lock screen, providing password-protected browser tabs, and accessing offline maps are all features that Apple has implemented in recent years. iOS updated.

2. Android users may feel familiar with this, because these functions are indeed basically standard on Android phones, which also shows that Apple is borrowing some practical design ideas from the Android system. Now, the openness of the Android system is also being accepted by Apple.
3. Not long ago, due to EU legal pressure, Apple allowed sideloading and extended app payment, which is a clear sign that its ecosystem is increasingly "open".
4. Looking back at the development history of Apple iOS, this can be said to be a breakthrough and revolutionary change. And game simulators happen to be the next wave in this global wave of change, not just limited to the EU.
5. Many people think that closed operating systems are very safe, but is this really the case?
6. We might as well take a look at the open Android system next door. Is it so difficult that it is full of "dangers"? It’s great that Apple is gradually easing restrictions these days, and I very much hope to see the emulator’s arrival on the App Store continue and bring even more freedom to iPhone users in the coming years.

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