Changes

===Distinguishing a game's versionInstalling the Firmware===The gamefirmware is needed for RPCS3 to work. You need to install a PS3 firmware update file using RPCS3's serial should be present in the folder or archive name'''File/Install Firmware''' feature. As for where to get said firmware, one option is to get the download page, andlatest one from [https://or the PARAMwww.playstation.SFO filecom/en-us/support/system-updates/ps3/ Sony's official website].

* Serials beginning ===Installing Games and Updates===The game's serial should be present in <code>BC<the folder or archive name, the download page, and/code> or <code>BL</code> are retail copies that are distributed by discthe PARAM.SFO file. The difference between both of these is that <code>BC</code> is If it's a first-party retail game, whereas <code>BL</code> is a third-party it has the ID on the bottom side edge of the game's case. An example of internet search for <code>BL</code> is Drakengard 3, where the USA serial is <code>BLUS31197InsertGameNameHere + Region ID</code>should turn it out. An example of <code>BC</codebr> is DemonIt's Souls, where the Asian serial is <code>BCAS20071</code>.<ref name=sce-australia>[https://www.playstation.com/en-au/get-help/help-library/system---hardware/disc-drive---ports/what-is-the-bces-bles-number-and-why-is-it-'''really important-/ "What is the BCES/BLES number and why is it important?"] <small>[http://web.archive.org/web/20170721170032/https://www.playstation.com/en-au/get-help/help-library/system---hardware/disc-drive---ports/what-is-the-bces-bles-number-''' for RPCS3 that each game's files and-why-is-it-important-/ Archived version from July 2017.]</small></ref>* Serials beginning in <code>NP</code> are digital versions that folders are downloaded from the PlayStation Store. An example of all placed under a digital game is Okami HD, where single folder named as the USA code is <code>NPUB30720</code>correct region ID.

===Placement of retail games===<u>Do not</u> put retail game dumps into the <code>\dev_hdd0\game</code> folder; some For '''Blu-ray Disc''' games write data to that location, which can cause some really bad conflictsi. Keep them in a separate folder somewhere else, and load the game from there, or use the <code>\dev_hdd0\disc</code>e. If your version of RPCS3 can't load from other locations, update to a newer build; a newer one can log the location of your retail games even if you run them once. It doesn't matter where they're stored.:

===PKGs and RAPs===* '''File layout''': PS3_GAME folder, PS3_DISC.sfb, PS3_UPDATE folder (not required)Depending on how you* '''Game ID'''ve obtained your digital starts with a <code>B</code>. First-party Sony games use <code>BC</code>, while third-party games and DLCsuse <code>BL</code>. For example: <code>BCAS20071</code> (Demon's Souls Asia retail), you may have downloaded them <code>BLUS31197</code> (Drakengard 3 USA retail). * May be dumped through the internet in PKG forma CFW-enabled PS3, using select compatible Blu-ray drives on PC, or as a folder with all its contents insideacquired from someone else. RPCS3 * Game folders for retail games can install digital items with be put under the "Install <code>\dev_hdd0\disc</code> or '''anywhere''' really...pkg" function, but you can also manually copy game folders to '''except''' the folder used for digital games (<code>\dev_hdd0\game</code> folder) because some games write there causing really bad conflicts. To open games, where theyuse '''File/Boot Game'''d be stored anyways like Sony designed with digital games.

HoweverFor '''PSN''' games, non-free digital items require a license (with the extension i.RAP) in order to decrypt a few important files before they can be bootede. This .RAP file is either in the <code>\dev_hdd0\home\00000001\exdata</code> of your PS3 <small>if you're dumping digital versions downloaded from the game yourself</small>, or alongside your download if you're downloading it.PlayStation Store:

Some scene releases or warez dumps don* '''File layout''': TROPDIR folder, USRDIR folder, ICON0.png, PARAM.sfo, etc.* '''Game ID'''t include starts with a .RAP file<code>N</code>, and instead give you for example <code>NPEB02436</code> (Persona 5 EUR digital)* May be dumped through a fix that contains preCFW-decrypted files that you'd copy to the gameenabled PS3, Sony's folder. In more rare scenarios, the preown poorely secured servers (PSNdl then psnpkgdecryptor-decrypted files may replace another pkgextractor), so make sure you or acquired from someone else.* May come as a PKG file. RPCS3 has an '''Install .PKG''' option to install all 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 .pkgs pkg''' option does that automatically for you need to before replacing files.

If your source doesn't include ''Paid digital releases''' <u>require</u> a '''.RAP or crack instructions, either itlicense file''s replaced beforehand or it's actually useless. A last resort to decrypt a few important files before they can be to try searching for a fix for the specific releasebooted.

===* May be 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 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 last resort can be to try searching for a fix for the specific release.* Must be placed under <code>\dev_hdd0\home\00000001\exdata\</code> Game and software '''updates''' are handled the exact same way '''PSN''' games are. * Installed using the '''Install .PKG''' option* The update will be placed in the game or software folder that corresponds to the correct region ID.* Take care to use '''the same region''' for the base game and the update, otherwise there's a potential risk of irreversible damage to your installed game dumps. '''.66600X files===These ''' are files that have been split to adhere to the 4 gigabyte filesize limit on FAT32 volumes. This is common, since it provides a way to transfer large files over a modded PS3. Use a tool like PS3merge to recombine those files.