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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, you needed 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], and eventually moved it to 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 project in mid-2016, turning his attention to extract the PlayStation 4 with the 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 emulator could load the intros to some games with sound,<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOcUcD9y51w Rpcs3 Update Quality Sound - Intro Video - The Guided Fate Paradox] (Mar 26, 2014)</ref> 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/watch?v=IQEv6B6fIgA RPCS3 WIP - Disgaea 3 - Ingame!] (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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsuKQfsu-zk RPCS3 PS3 Emulator - After Burner Climax Ingame #2! DX12]. YouTube.</ref> After getting Persona 5 working, Atlus infamously sent the developers and Patreon an DMCA takedown notice to help enforce a timed-exclusivity agreement with Sony,<ref>[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. For a long time, it was commonly thought that the original firmware files could only be extracted from a modded PS3, but since these files are also distributed which would have greatly increased the barrier to entry. However, one of the developers discovered all the libraries were actually bundled with updateseach system update, and that the developers added emulator could include the ability to extract them from there insteadthe files. Nekotekina opened [https://www.playstationpatreon.com/enNekotekina a Patreon campaign] in 2017, with kd-us11 joining not long after. In June 2018, after a few improvements and fixes, most PlayStation 1 Classic titles became playable.<ref>[https://rpcs3.net/blog/support2018/system07/15/progress-report-june-updates2018/ps3#major Progress Report: June 2018]. § PlayStation 1 Classics.</ This 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 where you would get themdemanding on hardware, though work has been done to reduce the requirements.] Then install it by going  On May 5, 2022, RSXAudio was implemented, adding audio to Tools -> Install Firmwarethe XMB. Also on that month, RPCS3 uploaded a video on YouTube showing the SPU performance improvements made at the time.

Fonts can be found on ===Enhancements===RPCS3 has (or works with) some [[PlayStation_3_emulators#Enhancements|enhancements]] for gameplay, such as:;[https://rpcs3.net/blog/2018/08/08/eliminating-stutter-with-asynchronous-shader-implementation/ Asynchronous Shader Recompilation]:Compiles shaders as the game runs, allowing for [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu-HwEEU5K0 virtually stutter free performance] at the cost of objects and textures [Emulator Fileshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59q7wbeJLOo popping into existence]as you play. It only gives a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGWk1p7pCVk tiny performance boost] page- 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 the PS3's CPU so parallelization techniques will be needed, perhaps running on a user's GPU or 8-core and better CPU.

==Overview==RPCS3 was started in May of 2011. Three years into its development, it could load the intros to some games with sound,<ref>;[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOcUcD9y51w</ref> as well as play some portions of Disgaea 3 and The Guided Fate Paradox, but with heavy graphical glitches and no spritesSag4SF7dDrw ReShade]:A third-party suite that hooks into the renderer.<ref name="Disgaea3 video">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]].

===Installing the Firmwarefirmware===The firmware is needed for RPCS3 to work. You need to install a PS3 firmware update file using RPCS3's '''File/Install Firmware''' feature. As for where to get said uses the original system firmware, one option is libraries to get interface with the latest one from [https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/system-updates/ps3/ Sony's official website]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 games and Updatesupdates===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.</br>It's '''really also important''' for RPCS3 that each game's files and folders are all placed under a single folder named as the correct region ID.

* 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'''.

* May be Maybe dumped from the <code>\dev_hdd0\home\00000001\exdata</code> directory of a CFW-enabled PS3, or included alongside the download you got from someone else. That someone else might not include the .RAP file, and instead give a "fix" with the pre-decrypted files. In that case, you might have to install the PKG file first (or all of them, if there's are multiple ones) and ''then'' copy and overwrite the "fix" files to your game folder.* If your source doesn't include a RAP or crack instructions, either it's replaced beforehand or it's actually useless. A The last resort can be to try searching for a fix for the specific release.

Game and software '''updates''' are handled the exact same way exactly like '''PSN''' games are.

'''Files under the <code>.66600X files66600x</code> extensions''' are split files that have been split to adhere to accommodate for the 4 -gigabyte filesize file size limit on volumes formatted as FAT32 volumes. This is common; the PS3 does not support other types of filesystems that pass this limit, since it provides a way to transfer large files over a modded PS3such as NTFS or the ext family. Use a tool like PS3merge to recombine those these files. ===Updating RPCS3===Note that RPCS3's official 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. ====Windows====Newer versions of RPCS3 feature an automatic update checker. The emulator will automatically check for updates when loaded, and will prompt you to update if a new version is detected.

==Basic troubleshooting==Linux====Issues are RPCS3 is compiled to be expected since AppImages using Azure. To update RPCS3, [[{{PAGENAME}}#Download|download the emulator is still early (even though latest build]], and replace your previous AppImage with the new one. Reenable executable permissions if they were disabled during the project was started in 2011)update. Most file managers can let you change it from their properties window.

==Netplay=Audio Stutter=[https://wiki.rpcs3.net/index.php?title==Cannot be completely eliminated in most casesHelp:Netplay RPCS3 uses RPCN for netplay,] which emulates some P2P matchmaking servers for PS3 games. Only a few titles are supported, but you can at least try to mitigate it by playing around with the "Preferred SPU Thread" setting as well as the "lower SPU thread priority" and "Bind SPU thread" to secondary core settingsmore are expected. See [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Xp-662d12W13CZSzSiaBfB4BHwU2PyOFMdp_W4sA5Bo/edit#gid=0 this compatibility list].

*[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]