April witnessed Apple’s foray into allowing vintage console emulators for running classic gaming applications in its App Store, a move that has been warmly embraced by the gaming community. These emulators have opened a window to the past for older gamers, while offering the younger generation a glimpse into the 8-bit era of pixelated gaming.
A combination of events led Apple to reconsider its App Store policy. An antitrust suit in the United States and the ‘Digital Markets Act’ (DMA) in Europe pressured Apple into amending its policies. Both regulations allow the respective authorities to curb activities they perceive as anticonsumerist. In the past month, the most popular application to emerge from this policy change is Delta, an emulator designed to mimic devices such as the Nintendo Game Boy and SNES. It has seen millions of downloads to date. The emulator’s developer, Riley Testut, notes that this surge in popularity was due to a lowering of technical barriers – what once required specialized skillsets is now accessible to all. As if on cue, RetroArch and PPSSPP emulators have also made their appearances.
However, the legal status of emulators remains in a gray zone. The applications themselves are legitimate, but they require game files (ROMs) that users typically don’t purchase. Emulator enthusiasts can be split into two categories – those who game for pleasure, and those striving to preserve classic games as unique pieces of art. While some games are ported onto current platforms, others face the threat of fading into oblivion. With studios shutting down or merging, managing aging intellectual property becomes a formidable challenge.
It’s also worth noting that running classic games through an emulator does not necessarily mean a return to their original form. Technically-inclined enthusiasts regularly subject these vintage games to modifications, offering a fresh perspective on some golden oldies.
