ShadPS4: Difference between revisions
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|website = [https://shadps4.net shadps4.net] | |website = [https://shadps4.net shadps4.net] | ||
|source = [https://github.com/shadps4-emu/shadPS4 GitHub] | |source = [https://github.com/shadps4-emu/shadPS4 GitHub] | ||
|issuetracker = [https://github.com/shadps4-emu/shadPS4/issues GitHub] | |||
|license = {{license|GPLv2}} | |license = {{license|GPLv2}} | ||
|support = [https://ko-fi.com/shadps4 Ko-fi] | |support = [https://ko-fi.com/shadps4 Ko-fi] | ||
|compatibility = [https:// | |compatibility = [https://shadps4.net/compatibility/ Compatibility list] | ||
|bios = [[Emulator_Files#PlayStation_4|Required]] | |bios = [[Emulator_Files#PlayStation_4|Required]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''shadPS4''' <small>''( | '''shadPS4''' <small>''(also known in the community as ChadPS4 🗿)''</small> is a free and open-source [[PlayStation 4 emulators|PlayStation 4 compatibility layer]] for [[Emulators on PC|Windows]], [[Emulators on Linux|Linux]] and [[Emulators on macOS|macOS]]. It is ''the'' best PS4 compatibility layer around. | ||
shadPS4 is a project started by George Moralis, also known as Shadow, in 2022. He is one of the founders of [[PCSX2]] and PCSX (both popular emulators). The name "shadPS4" comes from his nickname "Shadow." | |||
shadPS4 works by taking low-level hardware driver commands called PM4 packets from the PS4 and turning them into Vulkan commands. Each PM4 packet maps to one or multiple Vulkan commands.<ref>[https://docs.mesa3d.org/drivers/radv.html#command-submission-and-pm4-packets]</ref> ShadPS4 doesn't try to rebuild the original PS4's Graphics API calls (GNM) like some other emulators attempt to do, such as [[GPCS4]]. | |||
Unlike [[Wrappers#2000s_and_later_APIs|wrappers]] such as DXVK or vkd3d, ShadPS4 is different in that it turns a low-level format (PM4) into a higher-level one (Vulkan), instead of converting high-level formats to lower-level ones (DXVK), or between two similar levels (vkd3d). | |||
shadPS4 reached some important milestones: | |||
*On July 5, 2024, it was able to run Bloodborne.<br> | |||
*By August 18, 2024, it successfully got into the game for the first time.<br> | |||
*In December 2024, ShadPS4 made a big step by making Unity games work on Windows, which improved its compatibility majorly. | |||
*By July 2026, it integrated [[shadNet]] server. | |||
<br> | |||
==Download== | ==Download== | ||
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|'''[https://github.com/shadps4-emu/shadPS4/releases/latest Latest release]'''<br/><small>[https://nightly.link/shadps4-emu/shadPS4/workflows/build/main Nightly builds] | |'''[https://github.com/shadps4-emu/shadPS4/releases/latest Latest release]'''<br/><small>[https://nightly.link/shadps4-emu/shadPS4/workflows/build/main Nightly builds] | ||
|} | |} | ||
==Requirements== | ==Requirements== | ||
===Decrypted | ===Decrypted firmware=== | ||
The official firmware released by Sony cannot be used with ShadPS4. Instead, a decrypted | The official firmware released by Sony cannot be used with ShadPS4. Instead, a decrypted firmware must be used, as detailed in the files referenced in the [[Emulator_Files#PlayStation_4|Emulator Files for PlayStation 4]] section. | ||
===Decrypted games=== | ===Decrypted games=== | ||
The official PS4 game packages (.pkg) are encrypted for DRM, and raw .pkg files cannot be directly used in shadPS4. The games must be dumped and decrypted from an actual PS4 system, typically into a folder/file structure containing decrypted executable files (e.g., EBOOT.BIN), data files, and metadata. | The official PS4 game packages (.pkg) are encrypted for DRM, and raw .pkg files cannot be directly used in shadPS4. The games must be dumped and decrypted from an actual PS4 system, typically into a folder/file structure containing decrypted executable files (e.g., EBOOT.BIN), data files, and metadata. | ||
ShadPS4 added support for Zarchive (.zar) files starting in v0.17.0. These files use a similar format to the .wua format for [[Wii U]] games.<ref>[https://github.com/shadps4-emu/shadPS4/pull/4749 Abstract FS by georgemoralis - shadps4-emu/shadPS4]</ref> Dumped game folders can be converted to .zar using Zarchive<ref>[https://github.com/Exzap/ZArchive Zarchive on Github]</ref>, in a similar manner the creation of .wua files. | |||
====.pkg extraction tools==== | ====.pkg extraction tools==== | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* [https://discord.gg/ | * [https://discord.gg/bFJxfftGW6 Official Discord channel] | ||
* [https://x.com/shadps4 Twitter] | * [https://x.com/shadps4 Twitter] | ||
* [https://shadps4.net/compatibility Compatibility list] | * [https://shadps4.net/compatibility Compatibility list] | ||
Latest revision as of 02:42, 2 August 2026
| |
| Developer(s) | shadPS4 team |
|---|---|
| Latest version | 0.18.0 [+] |
| Active | Yes |
| Platform(s) | Windows Linux macOS |
| Architecture(s) | x86_64 |
| Emulates | PlayStation 4 |
| Compatibility | Compatibility list |
| Website | shadps4.net |
| Support ($) | Ko-fi |
| Programmed in | C++ |
| License | GPLv2 |
| Source code | GitHub |
| Issue tracker | GitHub |
| BIOS/Keys | Required |
shadPS4 (also known in the community as ChadPS4 🗿) is a free and open-source PlayStation 4 compatibility layer for Windows, Linux and macOS. It is the best PS4 compatibility layer around.
shadPS4 is a project started by George Moralis, also known as Shadow, in 2022. He is one of the founders of PCSX2 and PCSX (both popular emulators). The name "shadPS4" comes from his nickname "Shadow."
shadPS4 works by taking low-level hardware driver commands called PM4 packets from the PS4 and turning them into Vulkan commands. Each PM4 packet maps to one or multiple Vulkan commands.[1] ShadPS4 doesn't try to rebuild the original PS4's Graphics API calls (GNM) like some other emulators attempt to do, such as GPCS4.
Unlike wrappers such as DXVK or vkd3d, ShadPS4 is different in that it turns a low-level format (PM4) into a higher-level one (Vulkan), instead of converting high-level formats to lower-level ones (DXVK), or between two similar levels (vkd3d).
shadPS4 reached some important milestones:
- On July 5, 2024, it was able to run Bloodborne.
- By August 18, 2024, it successfully got into the game for the first time.
- In December 2024, ShadPS4 made a big step by making Unity games work on Windows, which improved its compatibility majorly.
- By July 2026, it integrated shadNet server.
Download
[edit | edit source]  
|
Latest release Nightly builds |
Requirements
[edit | edit source]Decrypted firmware
[edit | edit source]The official firmware released by Sony cannot be used with ShadPS4. Instead, a decrypted firmware must be used, as detailed in the files referenced in the Emulator Files for PlayStation 4 section.
Decrypted games
[edit | edit source]The official PS4 game packages (.pkg) are encrypted for DRM, and raw .pkg files cannot be directly used in shadPS4. The games must be dumped and decrypted from an actual PS4 system, typically into a folder/file structure containing decrypted executable files (e.g., EBOOT.BIN), data files, and metadata.
ShadPS4 added support for Zarchive (.zar) files starting in v0.17.0. These files use a similar format to the .wua format for Wii U games.[2] Dumped game folders can be converted to .zar using Zarchive[3], in a similar manner the creation of .wua files.
.pkg extraction tools
[edit | edit source]- Linux, and macOS: ps4-pkg-tools - https://github.com/xXJSONDeruloXx/ps4-pkg-tools