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{{Infoboxemulator|image logo = RPCS3-Logo.png|first version = 0{{Version|RPCS3}}<ref group=N name=version>The developers are currently treating version increments as milestones, not as stable builds.0.3 Alpha*</ref>|second active = Yes|third platform = [[Emulators on Windows|Windows]]<br/>[[Emulators on Linux|Linux]]<br/>[[Emulators on BSD|FreeBSD]]<br/>[[Emulators on macOS|macOS]]|target = [[PlayStation 3 emulators|PlayStation 3]], [[PlayStation emulators|PlayStation Classics]] <small>(PSN versions)</small>|architecture = x86_64|orig-developer = [https://github.com/DHrpcs3 DH], LinuxHykem|fourth developer = [https://rpcs3.net/about RPCS3 Team]|prog-lang = C++|fifth website = [https://rpcs3.net/ RPCS3.net]|support = [https://www.patreon.com/Nekotekina Patreon]<br/>[https:// rpcs3.net/alipay Alipay]|sixth source = [https://github.com/rpcs3/rpcs3 GitHub]|license = GNU GPLv2|compatibility = [https://rpcs3.net/compatibility Compatibility list]|bios = [[Emulator_Files#PlayStation_3|Required]]}}

'''RPCS3''' is a an open-source [[PlayStation 3 (PS3) emulators|PlayStation 3]] emulator/debugger written in C++ for Windows, Linux, macOS and PS Vita FreeBSD. It is the only emulator thatcan run commercial games, with over 2,000 considered playable. It also supports the PS3's very promising. Currently usable for a handful of commercial titles (see the internal [[https://rpcs3.net/compatibility compatibility listPlayStation emulators|PlayStation 1 emulator]]). Recent efforts have allowed it to also begin emulating through the PS Vita in a basic manner; do note that no games are currently playable howeverPlayStation Classics digital re-releases.

{| cellpadding="4"|-|align=center|{{Icon|Win|Lin|Mac|BSD}}|'''[https://rpcs3.net/download Latest builds]'''<br/><small>[https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/ps3/system-software/ Official Firmware] needed.|}

Originally==Overview==RPCS3's end-goal is for its developers to experiment, research, and educate on the topic of PlayStation 3 emulation that can be performed on compatible devices and operating systems.<ref>[https://rpcs3.net/about RPCS3: About Us page]</ref> As it is under active development, it does not have a stable release. ===History===RPCS3 began on May 23, 2011 as an experimental project by DH and Hykem (who beta-tested and coded for [[JPCSP]] in 2008). They initially hosted the project on [https://code.google.com/archive/p/rpcs3/source/default/source Google Code], you needed and eventually moved it to extract GitHub later in its development, making the repository publicly available in June of 2012. AlexAltea joined in late summer 2013 and worked on several components of the emulator, maintaining the codebase up until early 2015. DH left the firmware from a modded PS3project in mid-2016, but since these files are also distributed turning his attention to the PlayStation 4 with updatesthe similarly named [https://github.com/RPCSX/rpcsx RPCSX] (formerly named RPCS4). Hykem was pushed out of the scene in mid-2016 due to drama behind the scenes.<ref>[http://www.emunewz.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=174735 <nowiki>[IMPORTANT]</nowiki> Hykem says goodbye]. August 18, 2016.</ref> After getting small homebrew apps working, the developers added emulator could load the ability intros to extract them from there instead. some games with sound,<ref>[https://www.playstationyoutube.com/enwatch?v=oOcUcD9y51w Rpcs3 Update Quality Sound - Intro Video -usThe Guided Fate Paradox] (Mar 26, 2014)</supportref> as well as play some portions of Disgaea 3 and The Guided Fate Paradox, but with heavy graphical glitches and no sprites.<ref name="Disgaea3 video">[https://www.youtube.com/systemwatch?v=IQEv6B6fIgA RPCS3 WIP - Disgaea 3 -updatesIngame!] (Mar 22, 2014)</ref> Successive improvements brought with it the ability to play lightweight titles like After Burner Climax with almost no glitches.<ref>John GodGames. (February 1, 2016) [https:/ps3/ This is where you would get themwww.youtube.com/watch?v=MsuKQfsu-zk RPCS3 PS3 Emulator - After Burner Climax Ingame #2! DX12] Then install it by going . YouTube.</ref> After getting Persona 5 working, Atlus infamously sent the developers and Patreon an DMCA takedown notice to Tools help enforce a timed-exclusivity agreement with Sony,<ref> Install Firmware[https://atlus.com/atlus-and-emulation/ Atlus and Emulation].</ref> creating a [[wikipedia:Streisand effect|Streisand effect]] of spotlighting RPCS3 as a viable PS3 emulator.

Fonts can For a long time, it was commonly thought that the original firmware files could only be found on extracted from a modded PS3, which would have greatly increased the barrier to entry. However, one of the developers discovered all the libraries were actually bundled with each system update, and that the emulator could include the ability to extract the files. Nekotekina opened [https://www.patreon.com/Nekotekina a Patreon campaign] in 2017, with kd-11 joining not long after. In June 2018, after a few improvements and fixes, most PlayStation 1 Classic titles became playable.<ref>[Emulator Fileshttps://rpcs3.net/blog/2018/07/15/progress-report-june-2018/#major Progress Report: June 2018]] page. § PlayStation 1 Classics.</ref> Only the PSN re-releases work; no discs can be loaded into the PS1 emulator yet. In January 2022, RPCS3 announced that the XMB could be ran on firmwares as low as 2.80.

Today, RPCS3 is able to play almost two thirds of the PS3's commercial library from start to finish. Emulating most games is demanding on hardware, though work has been done to reduce the requirements. On May 5, 2022, RSXAudio was implemented, adding audio to the XMB. Also on that month, RPCS3 uploaded a video on YouTube showing the SPU performance improvements made at the time. ===Enhancements=Overview==RPCS3 was started in May of 2011has (or works with) some [[PlayStation_3_emulators#Enhancements|enhancements]] for gameplay, such as:;[https://rpcs3. Three years into its development, it could load net/blog/2018/08/08/eliminating-stutter-with-asynchronous-shader-implementation/ Asynchronous Shader Recompilation]:Compiles shaders as the intros to some games with soundgame runs,<ref>allowing for [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOcUcD9y51w<eu-HwEEU5K0 virtually stutter free performance] at the cost of objects and textures [https://ref> as well www.youtube.com/watch?v=59q7wbeJLOo popping into existence] as you play some portions . It only gives a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGWk1p7pCVk tiny performance boost] - a powerful computer and further optimizations from the emulator will be needed to get the more demanding titles to run at full speeds like 30 FPS or 60 FPS. Many demanding games may utilize multiple secondary cores plus the primary core of Disgaea 3 and The Guided Fate Paradoxthe PS3's CPU so parallelization techniques will be needed, but with heavy graphical glitches perhaps running on a user's GPU or 8-core and no spritesbetter CPU.<ref name ;[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v="Disgaea3 video">Sag4SF7dDrw ReShade]:A third-party suite that hooks into the renderer. Makes many games appear [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQEv6B6fIgA</ref>kPcHjnTZC_o more vibrant or saturated], particularly more pronounced in those with dull textures like the Tales of series, Naruto series, and other anime-based titles.

Developer Nekotekina opened ;[https://www.patreonrewasd.com/Nekotekina releases/release-6.3.0 reWASD]:A third-party application which can emulate any controlling device (gamepad/keyboard/mouse) as a Patreon campaignPS3 controller. After installing [https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Controller:DualShock_3#Wired_connection_-_official_drivers Official Sony Drivers] , Virtual DualShock 3 is visible in 2017RPCS3 as native device and allows to map theirs pressure-sensitive buttons with modifiers eg. pressing left back button+× is decreasing pressure-sensitivity of × to 50%, but right back button+× is decreasing pressure-sensitivity of × to 20%. Exclusively software allows to use Official Sony Driver wirelessly. ReWASD works with kdXbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, Steam, Nvidia, Logitech controllers and [https://help.rewasd.com/how-to-remap/supported-devices.html others]. Pressure-11 joining not long aftersensitive buttons option is helpful in games like "Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots" or "Gran Turismo 5". See the [https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/List_of_games_that_support_Pressure-Sensitive_Face_Buttons#PlayStation_3_Emulation list of games that support Pressure-Sensitive Face Buttons on PlayStation 3].

The emulator is capable of running some games at a playable speed with no major glitches, such as Ice Age 3: Dawn of The Dinosaurs,<ref name="Ice Age 3 Video">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhCVRLi2qdk</ref> Resogun,<ref name="Resogun video">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtU7E9o7F_E</ref>, After Burner Climax <ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsuKQfsu-zk</ref>, and Demon's Souls <ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3_WiNow_gE</ref>;See [[PlayStation_3_emulators#Enhancements]] section for more information about RPCS3 enhancements capabilities.

It will still take a while before it can play the more complex games===System requirements===See [[Computer_specifications#RPCS3]].

===Distinguishing a game's versionInstalling the firmware===RPCS3 uses the original system firmware libraries to interface with the games, such as Bluetooth, PlayStation Eye, and so on. [https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/ps3/system-software/ You can extract them from the official update files that Sony distributes through their website.] Download the file, then in RPCS3 go to File -> Install Firmware, and select the downloaded update file. ===Installing games and updates===The game's serial should be present in the folder or archive name, the download page, and/or the PARAM.SFO file. If it's a retail game, it has the ID on the bottom side edge of the game's case. An internet search for <code>InsertGameNameHere + Region ID</code> should turn it out. It's also important that each game's files and folders are all placed under a single folder named as the correct region ID. For '''Blu-ray Disc''' games, i.e. retail games: * '''File layout''': PS3_GAME folder, PS3_DISC.sfb, PS3_UPDATE folder (not required)* '''Game ID''' starts with a <code>B</code>. First-party Sony games use <code>BC</code>, while third-party games use <code>BL</code>. For example: <code>BCAS20071</code> (Demon's Souls Asia retail), <code>BLUS31197</code> (Drakengard 3 USA retail). * May be dumped through a CFW-enabled PS3, using select compatible Blu-ray drives on PC, or acquired from someone else.* Game folders for retail games can be put under the <code>\dev_hdd0\disc</code> or ''anywhere'' really... '''except''' the folder used for digital games (<code>\dev_hdd0\game</code>) because some games write there causing really bad conflicts. To open games, use '''File/Boot Game'''. For '''PSN''' games, i.e. digital versions downloaded from the PlayStation Store: * '''File layout''': TROPDIR folder, USRDIR folder, ICON0.png, PARAM.sfo, etc.* '''Game ID''' starts with a <code>N</code>, for example <code>NPEB02436</code> (Persona 5 EUR digital)* May be dumped through a CFW-enabled PS3, Sony's own poorely secured servers (PSNdl then psnpkgdecryptor-extractor), or acquired from someone else.* May come as a PKG file. RPCS3 has an '''Install .PKG''' option to install these.* Game folders for digital games must be placed under <code>\dev_hdd0\game</code>, as intended by design on real hardware. Using the '''Install .pkg''' option does that automatically for you. '''Paid digital releases''' <u>require</u> a '''.RAP license file''' to decrypt a few important files before they can be booted.

* Serials beginning in <code>BC</code> or Maybe dumped from the <code>BL\dev_hdd0\home\00000001\exdata</code> are retail copies that are distributed by disc. The difference between both directory of these is that <code>BC</code> is a firstCFW-party gameenabled PS3, whereas <code>BL</code> is a third-party gameor included alongside the download you got from someone else. An example of <code>BL</code> is Drakengard 3, where That someone else might not include the USA serial is <code>BLUS31197</code>. An example of <code>BC</code> is Demon's SoulsRAP file, where and instead give a "fix" with the Asian serial is <code>BCAS20071</code>.<ref name=scepre-australia>[https://wwwdecrypted files.playstation.com/en-au/get-help/help-library/system---hardware/disc-drive---ports/what-is-In that case, you might have to install the-bces-bles-number-PKG file first (or all of them, if there are multiple ones) and ''then'' copy and-why-is-it-important-/ overwrite the "What is the BCES/BLES number and why is it important?fix"] <small>[http://webfiles to your game folder.archive* If your source doesn't include a RAP or crack instructions, either it's replaced beforehand or it's actually useless.org/web/20170721170032/https://www.playstation.com/en-au/get-help/help-library/system---hardware/disc-drive---ports/what-is-The last resort can be to try searching for a fix for the-bces-bles-number-and-why-is-it-important-/ Archived version from July 2017specific release.]</small></ref>* Serials beginning in <code>NP</code> are digital versions that are downloaded from the PlayStation Store. An example of a digital game is Okami HD, where the USA code is Must be placed under <code>NPUB30720\dev_hdd0\home\00000001\exdata\</code>.

===Placement of retail games===<u>Do not</u> put retail game dumps into the <code>\dev_hdd0\game</code> folder; some games write data to that location, which can cause some really bad conflicts. Keep them in a separate folder somewhere else, Game and load the game from there, or use the "\dev_hdd0\disc". If your version of RPCS3 cansoftware '''updates''' are handled exactly like '''PSN't load from other locations, update to a newer build; a newer one can log the location of your games even if you run them once. It doesn't matter where they're storedgames.

===PKGs and RAPs===* Installed using the '''Install .PKG''' optionDepending on how you've obtained your digital games and DLCs, you may have downloaded them through * The update will be placed in the internet in PKG form, game or as a software folder with all its contents inside. RPCS3 can install digital items with that corresponds to the "Install correct region ID.pkg" function, but you can also manually copy game folders * Take care to use '''the <code>\dev_hdd0\same region''' for the base game</code> folderand the update, where theyotherwise there'd be stored anyways like Sony designed with digital gamess a potential risk of irreversible damage to your installed game dumps.

However, non-free digital items require a license (with '''Files under the extension <code>.RAP) in order to decrypt a few important 66600x</code> extensions''' are split files before they can be booted. This .RAP that accommodate for the 4-gigabyte file is either in size limit on volumes formatted as FAT32; the "\dev_hdd0\home\00000001\exdata" PS3 does not support other types of your PS3 <small>if you're dumping the game yourself</small>filesystems that pass this limit, such as NTFS or alongside your download if you're downloading itthe ext family. Use a tool like PS3merge to recombine these files.

Some scene releases or warez dumps don't include a .RAP file, and instead give you a fix ===Updating RPCS3===Note that contains pre-decrypted files that you'd copy to the gameRPCS3's folder. In more rare scenarios, the pre-decrypted files may replace another pkg, so make sure you install all the .pkgs you need to before replacing filesofficial Discord server can also be a good resource for bringing up issues or learning about major breakthroughs or updates if any further information is required.

If your source doesn't include a RAP or crack instructions====Windows====Newer versions of RPCS3 feature an automatic update checker. The emulator will automatically check for updates when loaded, either it's replaced beforehand or it's actually useless. A last resort can be and will prompt you to try searching for update if a fix for the specific releasenew version is detected.

===.66600X files=Linux====These are files that have been split to adhere RPCS3 is compiled to AppImages using Azure. To update RPCS3, [[{{PAGENAME}}#Download|download the latest build]], and replace your previous AppImage with the new one. Reenable executable permissions if they were disabled during the 4 gigabyte filesize limit on FAT32 volumesupdate. This is common, since Most file managers can let you change it provides a way to transfer large files over a modded PS3. Use a tool like PS3merge to recombine those filesfrom their properties window.

==Basic troubleshootingNetplay==Issues [https://wiki.rpcs3.net/index.php?title=Help:Netplay RPCS3 uses RPCN for netplay,] which emulates some P2P matchmaking servers for PS3 games. Only a few titles are supported, but more are to be expected since the emulator is still early (even though the project was started in 2011). See [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Xp-662d12W13CZSzSiaBfB4BHwU2PyOFMdp_W4sA5Bo/edit#gid=0 this compatibility list].

==Notes=Audio Stutter=<references group==Cannot be completely eliminated in most cases, but you can at least try to mitigate it by playing around with the "Preferred SPU Thread" setting, as well as lowering the SPU's thread priority or binding SPU threads to secondary cores. On Windows, this is done by changing the affinity and priority of the RPCS3 process in the Task Manager. On Linux, CLI and GUI tools exist like System Monitor and Task Manager that can change the priority. It varies by distribution. This can influence audio stutter and performance in general for Ryzen users.N />

*[https://wiki.rpcs3.net/ Official wiki]*[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz3-0QxNr4S4gK0xaWy7exQ Official YouTube Channelchannel]*[https://discordapp.com/invite/EWMQZ8 Official Discord server]*[https://forums.rpcs3.net/ Official forums]