shadps4-emu/shadps4

shadPS4 is an open-source PlayStation 4 emulator written in C++ that lets you run PS4 games on Windows, Linux, macOS, and FreeBSD. The core problem it solves is that PlayStation 4 consoles are dedicated gaming hardware, the only way to play their games is to own the physical console. An emulator recreates that hardware in software, translating the PS4's specific processor instructions, graphics calls, operating system behavior, and input handling into equivalent operations that run on a standard PC or Mac. How it works: the emulator intercepts the game's code and firmware calls, translating PS4-specific graphics commands (using the PS4's custom AMD GPU API called GNM) into graphics calls your computer's GPU can understand. It also handles the PS4's custom operating system (Orbis OS, a modified FreeBSD), sound processing, memory management, controller input mapping, and filesystem layout. The project is early in development, meaning it runs some games well, titles like Bloodborne, Dark Souls Remastered, Yakuza 0, and Red Dead Redemption are listed as working, but many others have bugs or don't run yet. Users must dump firmware modules from their own legally owned PS4 console to satisfy copyright requirements. You would use shadPS4 if you want to play PS4 games you legally own on your desktop computer, especially titles that are not available on other platforms. A graphical launcher application (QtLauncher) is available separately for users who prefer a GUI over command-line usage. Xbox and DualShock controllers work out of the box, and keyboard mappings are also configurable. The tech stack is C++ (C++23 standard) with Dear ImGui for any in-process UI elements. It compiles on Windows, Linux, macOS, and FreeBSD.