Apple relaxes App Store rules to permit game emulators

Apple has loosened its App Store rules to permit the inclusion of "retro game console emulator apps" on its platform.

This move comes after years of pressure from users and legislators, particularly in Europe, where enthusiasts previously had to resort to jailbreaking their devices or using complex workarounds to access emulation apps on their iPhones.

In an update to its App Review Guidelines at the end of last week, Apple confirmed the policy change. While app...

8 April 2024 | App Stores

AI in game development grows despite concerns

A growing number of game development studios are embracing AI to streamline their processes, according to a new industry report from Unity.

The report finds that 62 percent of studios now utilise AI tools at some stage of development. The top use cases include improving character animations, code writing assistance, art and level generation, narrative design, and automated playtesting:

Credit: Unity

68 percent leverage AI specifically to accelerate prototyping. World...

18 March 2024 | Artificial Intelligence

Discord announces SDK for in-app experiences

Discord has announced the upcoming launch of its Embedded App SDK, allowing developers to build apps and games that can be played directly within the platform.

Set to become available globally on March 18th, the Embedded App SDK lets developers create apps embedded in an iframe within Discord, essentially enabling the creation of new 'Activities' that users can play together.

"We want Discord to grow into the best place for developers to do it all: build, share,...

14 March 2024 | Developer

Microsoft’s latest Agility SDK packs cutting-edge graphics features

Microsoft has released the latest version of its Agility SDK, packed with innovative graphics features that will be showcased at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2024.

The SDK 1.613.0 introduces Work Graphs, Shader Model 6.8, GPU Upload Heaps, and several other enhancements aimed at empowering game developers to create more efficient, flexible, and creative experiences.

Work Graphs: Unlocking the full potential of GPUs

The highlight of the Agility SDK is Work...

12 March 2024 | Developer

Apple faces EU scrutiny for terminating Epic’s developer account

Apple finds itself under the European Union's microscope following its decision to terminate Epic Games’ developer account, blocking the gaming company from establishing its own app store for iPhone users in Europe. This move has reignited the ongoing feud between the two tech giants and raised concerns over potential violations of the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA).

Epic Games – the creator of popular game Fortnite – expressed outrage after Apple abruptly ended its...

7 March 2024 | App Stores

Asahi Linux’s OpenGL support leapfrogs Apple’s on M-chip Macs

The team behind the Asahi Linux project, which aims to support Linux on Apple Silicon Macs, has achieved a major milestone: its open-source graphics driver now fully supports up to OpenGL 4.6 and OpenGL ES 3.2, surpassing the OpenGL 4.1 support currently offered in macOS.

Asahi developer Alyssa Rosenzweig announced the new driver in a blog post, noting it had to pass "over 100,000 tests" to be deemed officially conformant with the OpenGL standards. This was achieved despite...

15 February 2024 | Gaming

Unity launches XR app building tools for Apple’s Vision Pro

Unity has officially launched tools for visionOS, Apple's new operating system for its Vision Pro spatial computing headset. The support will allow developers to use Unity's development tools and workflow to build immersive experiences for the Vision Pro.

The announcement comes ahead of the Vision Pro headset's launch on 2 February 2024. Unity's templates, samples and resources will help developers tap into the headset's capabilities using Unity's PolySpatial technology to...

1 February 2024 | Development Tools

Metaplay debuts Unity-based SDK to help scale mobile games

Metaplay, known for its fully customisable backend for game development, has debuted a Unity-based SDK to help developers scale their mobile games.

Developed over four years in collaboration with top-tier game studios in Helsinki – including Metacore, Dodreams, and Nitro – the Metaplay SDK is designed to empower developers and studios in creating top-tier online mobile games that can scale as they grow.

Teemu Haila, Co-Founder and CPO at Metaplay, said: “Since...

22 January 2024 | Development Tools

Google enables WebGPU by default in Chrome 121

Google has enabled WebGPU support by default in the latest version of its Chrome browser, Chrome 121. WebGPU is a new web standard that provides low-level access to GPU hardware for high-performance 3D graphics and general purpose computing using JavaScript APIs. 

WebGPU support is now enabled on devices running Android 12 or later powered by Qualcomm and ARM GPUs. Support will expand to more Android devices in the near future, including those still on Android 11. The rollout...

19 January 2024 | Android

Apple may enable sideloading in Europe ‘in the coming weeks’

Apple is reportedly planning to allow iPhone and iPad users in Europe to install apps from third-party app stores—potentially within a matter of weeks. 

The move from Apple comes in response to mounting regulatory pressure from European lawmakers demanding more competition in the app ecosystem.  

According to Apple insider Mark Gurman in Bloomberg’s “Power On” newsletter, Apple engineers are racing to launch support for app sideloading on European iOS...

16 January 2024 | App Stores