PS5 emulation reaches new milestone as it loads GTA 5
Overview & Key Takeaways
Following Sony's announcement that it won't support game discs starting in 2028, all eyes are on PlayStation emulators.
PlayStation 5 emulation has just reached another milestone: as per RespawnFirst, the KytyPS5 emulator can load the main menu and settings for games like Grand Theft Auto 5.
KytyPS5 is a “PlayStation 5 compatibility layer” still in its early stages, but it received a new update on GitHub a few days ago. Most of the changes in the 0.0.2 version are technical, lower-level updates. It includes a new shader that helps translate PS5 graphics to PC, introduces AGC driver support, improves sound and video handling, and more. Practically speaking, that means more games can load in some form.
While the emulator is still far from being able to play games in full, the latest progress is likely spurred on by Sony’s bombshell announcement that it’s killing support for physical game discs. New PlayStation games released after January 2028 “will be available on PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only.”
The move has led to massive backlash because owning a digital copy of a game isn’t as immutable as owning a physical one. Digital storefronts for old consoles are frequently taken down, making it impossible to access previously purchased content. In most cases, consumers don’t technically “own” the digital games they purchase; they own a license to play them, which can be revoked.
Since Sony’s announcement, PS5 emulator development has attracted significant attention, likely driven by players hoping to be able to reliably play Sony titles going forward. According to TechDroider, four PS5 emulators are currently in development, with another emulator, SharpEmu, having booted Demon’s Souls (2020). The current progress apparently exceeds previous expectations.
Still, it should be noted that emulation progress on most modern systems has been slow-going, and a full PS5 emulator is likely many years away. For context, the PlayStation 3 emulator RPCS3, which was released 15 years ago, still only runs about 70% of the system’s titles. The PS4 lacks a fully functional emulator, and the only viable option is Shadps4, which was specifically designed for Bloodborne and has mixed results with other games.
While progress is slow, it’s probably fair to guess that Sony’s controversial announcement will only hasten emulation development across the board.
