With the increase in third-party support on iOS, video game emulators have flooded the App Store to fill the gap. The first bunch was mainly for older Commodore 64 and GameBoy titles. However, this could soon change as emulators that can run Sony PlayStation and Sega Saturn games may be coming out. The app in question is called Provenance EMU. In an email to news site iMore, project leader Joseph Mattiello said his team is working on releasing the software to the App Store.
For those who aren’t familiar with Provenance, it can run titles from a variety of consoles, including well-known consoles like the Super Nintendo, as well as lesser-known machines. It is unclear when this emulator will debut. Mattiello said quality of life needs to improve first and he wants to “explore” new rules. Although the report doesn’t explain what he’s referring to, Mattiello may be referring to recent changes Apple made to its app review guidelines. In early April, a new line was added stating that “developers are responsible for all software within their apps.” Additionally, emulators must “comply with all applicable laws.”
caveat
Please note that the use of emulators may violate the game developer and publisher’s terms of service and applicable intellectual property laws. Please check as each one is different. Use the emulator only with copies of the game that you have purchased. TechRadar does not condone or encourage illegal game downloads or copyright infringement activities.
This could put third-party developers under increased scrutiny by game publishers. Nintendo, for example, isn’t afraid to call in lawyers to sue developers after they claim they’re breaking the law. Let’s see what happened to Yuzu.
Game emulation currently exists in a legal gray area. Despite this, they are allowed to exist, but one wrong move can bring them down with a sledgehammer. So Mattiello wants to make sure his team doesn’t step on any landmines during launch. If all goes well, we could usher in a new era of mobile gaming. The title isn’t just a side-scrolling game with sprites, it’s a game that features fleshed-out 3D models and environments.
what to play
We do not recommend downloading random ROMs of games from the internet. Not only does it violate intellectual property laws, but it can also harbor malware. These digital libraries are not the most secure.
So what will people be able to play when Provenance is released on the App Store? For now, it looks like users will have to try the homebrew game. These are titles that are independently created by copying a specific graphic style for the emulator.
iMore recommends PSX Place, a website where enthusiasts come together to share their homegrown PlayStation games. Itch.io is also a great resource. If you’d like to play a fan version of Twin Peaks, Itch.io has one available. For Game Boy-style titles, Homebrew Hub has a ton of fan-made projects. Personally, I’d love to see publishers like Sony or Nintendo release games on his iOS. That way people can enjoy the classics without circumventing the law.
For those looking to upgrade, check out TechRadar’s guide to the best iPhones for 2024.
