Previously Rejected Commodore 64 Emulator Approved and Available on App Store

[pete.d]

There is no way for Commodore BASIC to run malicious code in this emulator - it's a sandbox in a sandbox

If Apple's concerns were about security, that would be relevant. But, as is so often the case, when they say "security", what they really mean is "profit security".

If the emulator can run arbitrary BASIC code, it can run arbitrary BASIC code that Apple hasn't gotten their 30% cut on. As Thomas Harte wrote, Apple doesn't want this to be the wedge that opens the door for allowing any kind of program that can be extended post-purchase to do additional things without Apple getting to impose their fee structure on the extension.

Even ignoring the potential for viable iPhone applications to be written for the C64 BASIC, it would set a precedent for other more capable "platforms" to appear on the iPhone. And of course, even C64 BASIC does present a perfectly useful platform for a wide variety of certain kinds of applications.

 

[Erwin-Br]

Hopefully this will pave the way for SCUMM VM.

 

[markm49uk]

I loved Winter Games and Summer Olympics. Oh, and a game called Raid over Moscow. I learned my Russian geography from the game b/c is showed Moscow, Leningrad and Stalingrad on the map.

Of course part of the reason that I liked the C64 so much was it's improvement over my Atari. I'm really showing my age...

Raid Over Moscow - OMG how I loved that game - wasted so much time on that one !

Thanks for the reminder of happy days gone by.....

 

[DUSTmurph]

now I've seen everything

Have you ever seen a man eat his own head? No. So you haven't seen everything!

 

[50548]

C64 is the greatest single computer ever released. Period. It's the best-selling computer of all time, and the software-library it has is quite simply staggering.

Maybe we could get Amiga 500 emulator next ?

I still miss the good ol' days of the Apple IIGS...a fantastic machine that kept perfect compatibility with the Apple // while introducing GS/OS, a system that was WAY ahead of any other similar initiatives by Atari and Commodore...not to mention that it had the best sound capabilities of any personal computer.

Edit: right on, Durendal...the Apple IIGS is among the finest machines Apple has ever built...and most probably the BEST personal computer of all time (with TransWarp, of course)... Tunnels of Armageddon, anyone?

 

[Mr. Amiga500]

C64 BASIC was made by Microsoft. Maybe this is another reason for dropping it.

Maybe we could get Amiga 500 emulator next ?

...or maybe I could get an iPhone emulator for my Amiga 500....

 

[Small White Car]

There is no way for Commodore BASIC to run malicious code in this emulator - it's a sandbox in a sandbox

Apps have access to your address book and the internet. Sending your contacts to someone else is possible.

Apple would notice a program doing that, though. But in this case, who knows what it might do in the future?

Apple can't have an approval process AND approve the original version of this app. Doing that would make the process pointless.

You can argue that they shouldn't be approving apps, that's reasonable. But IF they're going to approve apps (as they do) then they have to block stuff like that.

 

[arn]

If the emulator can run arbitrary BASIC code, it can run arbitrary BASIC code that Apple hasn't gotten their 30% cut on.

Let me clarify this. It can run "arbitrary BASIC code"... that you have to type in yourself since there's no way to save or load apps. So, it would be going pretty old-school like magazines publishing pages and pages of BASIC code you'd have to type in yourself... that is until you quit the app and would have to do it again next time you launched.

and as to the significance of the app itself. Even if you weren't born when the C64 was out, this opens the door to future emulators in the App Store -- something that wasn't really thought possible.

arn

 

[markm49uk]

I just found my C64 in the loft! Was thinking of eBaying it. I remember Raid over Moscow too, and the Olympics games that knackered your joystick as you had to wiggle them left and right really fast.
Talking of which there was also Strip Poker.... <goes to loft>

oh how I wish I had never sold my TI994/A, C64 or Amiga 500 computers - still I managed to hang onto my Amiga 1200 (despite protestations from the wife!)

 

[donlphi]

Finally I can get back to programming, right where I left off.

 

[entropys]

If Apple's concerns were about security, that would be relevant. But, as is so often the case, when they say "security", what they really mean is "profit security".

If the emulator can run arbitrary BASIC code, it can run arbitrary BASIC code that Apple hasn't gotten their 30% cut on. As Thomas Harte wrote, Apple doesn't want this to be the wedge that opens the door for allowing any kind of program that can be extended post-purchase to do additional things without Apple getting to impose their fee structure on the extension.

Even ignoring the potential for viable iPhone applications to be written for the C64 BASIC, it would set a precedent for other more capable "platforms" to appear on the iPhone. And of course, even C64 BASIC does present a perfectly useful platform for a wide variety of certain kinds of applications.

Except of course, the additional games can be free!

While you have a point, I reckon the bigger drivers in this case were to prevent piracy and malicious coding (if not in this app than other potential emulators) - Apple wouldn't want to set undesirable precedents for any future app listed for approval.

it is all too easy to forget that the app store exists to sell iphones and ipod touches, not make a motza from apps, video and music.

 

[capoeirista]

C64 = fail

Acorn Electron FTW!

Also, it was a total trip down memory lane to see Archer Maclean's name! And on page 1 of macrumors!

 

[jrnewhouse]

Brings back memories! The Commodore 64 was my first computer in 1983, and I still remember the first game I bought to play on it...Blue Max! It was a diagonal scrolling game in which you controlled a World War I plane, and you could fire the machine guns and bomb targets. It was a lot of fun for its time!

 

[jeffrhysjones]

10 Print "is It Just Me Or Do The Games That Come With This App. Seem More Like Vic20 Than C64?";
20 Goto 10

List

Run

 

[cwfrederick]

what are the odds of nintendo allowing an emulator for some of their older systems/games?

 

[Bevz]

....and as to the significance of the app itself. Even if you weren't born when the C64 was out, this opens the door to future emulators in the App Store -- something that wasn't really thought possible.

arn

amen to that! let the good times roll....

 

[Doctor Q]

I'd like a Mac System 7 emulator for iPhone, please. Be sure to bundle in ClarisWorks and all of my other old apps and let me open files for those old apps directly off my iDisk.

 

[Vster]

Here's to hoping for other emulators

NES yes plz...

 

[Thomas Harte]

C64 = fail

Acorn Electron FTW!

Also, it was a total trip down memory lane to see Archer Maclean's name! And on page 1 of macrumors!

As the author of ElectrEm and now an iPhone developer, I can confirm that the emulator would be quite easy to get going on the device. Sadly, ownership of the system ROMs is a significant legal hurdle even if the licences for some of the specific titles could be obtained, and most games rely on the system ROMs being present to function. Though not all that much of them, so maybe a clean-room reimplementation could be achieved.

Sadly, you'd never get Elite because Braben is very protective of it, the Chuckie Egg controls would be almost impossible on a touch screen, and Superior Software are still soldiering on selling Windows versions of Repton, etc, so probably wouldn't want 20-year old versions going to the iPhone. I think they licensed some of the properties to Masabi for mobile versions on Pocket PC and Windows Mobile many years ago, but the relevant sites seem to have vanished.

 

[Stuart in Oz]

Come on Amiga games!

1024 colors! Dedicated graphics chips! 512kB system RAM!...

Let's party like it's 1989!

 

[carmenodie]

oh my god! Brings back memories but after playing monster hunter freedom I don't think I have the patience to play that old stuff. Good flash back though. I wonder if itunes has the "you can't do that on television" series.Hmm.
Good times!!!!!

 

[iSamurai]

lol fighting at North Sydney...

 

[HLdan]

Seriously **** the app store. With all there confusion and oh your time icon looks just like ours ********...... Im am so sick of apple and i am gunna come out and say it i am a fanboy. I seriously want to get rid of my iPhone as much as i love it its been the best phone ive ever had. But i want something that ACTUALLY HAS SERVICE! and everything doesnt either get rejected or crippled to wifi....

**** AT&T
**** Apple
**** iPhone.....


My god that was hard t say.......

Sheesh, calm down dude. There's no reason to be "SICK" of Apple, just don't buy their stuff, but you need to take chill pill. We're talking about the computer industry and as a customer you have a right to either buy or not, but to get so worked up over it like you are, Apple is not hurting you personally nor are they threatening your life, go outside and enjoy life.

 

[Pika]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eY2gK1MPgh8

 

[.Andy]

Finally I can get back to programming, right where I left off.

This needs some love ! You're certainly not alone in this feat !


As for the emulator I'm loving it. Really just playing Jack Attack and reliving my childhood. The controls are absolutely terrible so in all it's a perfect replication of Commodore joysticks !