PS3 PC emulator RPCS3 boosts the performance of Killzone 2/3 and SSX
PS3 PC emulator RPCS3 boosts the performance of Killzone 2/3 and SSX
The headline feature of RPCS3’s latest update is the emulator’s restructured shader cache code, which has enabled higher framerates on titles like Killzone 2, Killzone 3 and SSX. These code changes allow for higher framerates in games with very high texture uploads and long draw call setup times. This means that not all PS3 titles will see large framerates increased thanks to this update. The RPCS3 developer kd-11 pioneered this change.Â
In addition to this update, RPCS3 should also deliver gamers a better player experience by allowing gamers to compile PPU modules before launching games through the emulator. Before now, these modules were compiled during gameplay as needed, which often resulted in long causes during gameplay when these modules were compiles. In games like Metal Gear Solid 4, RPCS3 users now have a more seamless gameplay experience. This change was worked on by developers Nekotekina and Eladash.
Below is a description of the impact of RPCS3’slatest update.Â
  Killzone 2-3 and SSX saw a large performance uplift thanks to kd-11 restructuring RPCS3’s shader cache code. Games which had very high texture upload / draw call set-up time were affected. Initial testing only identified these three games as having a large improvement. Testers may discover other games were affected as well. N
ekotekina also worked with Eladash, one of RPCS3’s contributors to allow RPCS3 to compile PPU Modules when launching a game, rather than having them compile during gameplay. This greatly improves the user experience when running Metal Gear Solid 4 or Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 for the first time.
With Sony failing to deliver PS3 backwards compatibility on any of their newest consoles, PC modders have been left to do the work themselves, preserving the console’s library as PS3 consoles continue to get worn out, damaged or thrown away.Â
In recent years, the RPCS3 emulator has seen major improvements to its performance and game compatibility, allowing modern PCs to play many PS3 classics with 4K resolutions and 60+ FPS framerates. In some cases, PC is now the best place to play many PlayStation classics.Â
You can join the discussion on the RPCS3 emulator’s latest update on the OC3D Forums.Â