ShadPS4
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| 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 |
shadPS4 is an early, free and open-source, PlayStation 4 compatibility layer for Windows, Linux and macOS.
Download
  
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Latest release Nightly builds |
Overview and History
ShadPS4 was started by George Moralis, AKA Shadow.[1] He is also one of the founders of both PCSX2 and PCSX.[2][3] The name of the emulator, "shadps4," is likely a reference to the name "shadow." shadPS4 works by converting PM4 packets (a low level AMD GPU driver format) to Vulkan commands. It does not attempt to reconstruct Sony GNM calls. This means that shadPS4's architecture is not analogous to eg. DXVK or vkd3d in that it converts a lower level language (PM4) into a higher level one (Vulkan), instead of a high level one to a low level one (DXVK) or translate between two similar level one's (vkd3d).
It launched Bloodborne on July 5, 2024.[4] In August 18, 2024 it managed to go ingame for the first time.[5] In December 2024, the emulator hit a huge milestone in getting Unity games working on Windows. This makes ShadPS4's compatibility nearly on par with fpPS4.