RPCS3 team shares why the PS3 emulator won't land on Android and iOS anytime soon

[Redaktion]

The developers behind the top-rated PS3 emulator RPCS3 have just announced the app's ports for ARM-based Linux, Windows, and MacOS devices. However, the team says that there are currently no plans to port it to Android and iOS.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/RPCS3-team-shares-why-the-PS3-emulator-won-t-land-on-Android-and-iOS-anytime-soon.930245.0.html

[RQR]

Doesn't really make much sense. Pretty much all the reasons they state happen for apps on desktop operating systems as well?

Also, how is the ppsspp dev team being able to do it? They've been developing for mobile for a long time. I'm pretty sure that they ran into the exact same issues but that didn't stop them did it?

Not just them but there are numerous other emus aswell, it's just that ppsspp is kind of considered the gold standard in terms of quality, stability, low requirements and features.

Anyways this doesn't really stop anything. People will just use some compatibility layer to run arm64 Linux/windows builds on android. They already are and getting 15 fps in lighter title when running x86 win builds through winlator currently.

I can imagine a huge boost to occur when they start running desktop Linux/win arm64 builds on android since there will be barely any CPU overhead going arm64 -> arm 64 instructions.

So this is potentially exciting news for 8 gen series phone owners.

[Tornado]

It seems like the RPCS3 team is playing a bit of a strategic game here. By keeping things under wraps regarding their plans for Android and iOS, they're likely trying to stir some buzz and grab media attention. Let's face it, there's way more excitement and potential for funding when you keep people guessing about what's next.

When it comes to something like a PS3 emulator for Raspberry Pi, it's a pretty hard sell. We all know those little devices are cool but don't really have the muscle for PS3 games. It's just not a practical move. But, on the flip side, there's definitely more juice to squeeze if they explore ports for Apple's ARM chips or Windows ARM. Those platforms can handle a more serious emulator, and the demand is definitely there among gamers.

Now, looking at the Android emulation scene, it's exploding right now. There's so much activity and passion in that community, and it feels a bit odd for RPCS3 to just sit back and say they won't support it publicly. I mean, that kind of stance can easily come off as just a way to create hype without really committing to anything. They might have their reasons, but it raises eyebrows, especially when there's a vibrant ecosystem just waiting for something like a PS3 emulator to drop.

At the end of the day, it seems like RPCS3 is keeping their options open while they weigh their potential next steps. Whether they're angling to catch some investors or just trying to keep the speculation alive, who knows? But it sure does feel like they could be tapping into a goldmine if they get on board with the Android emulation wave instead of sidelining it.

[spotanjo3]

I wouldnt played them on my android at all. It would eat your battery and short lifespan. I prefer PC at home.

[asl97]

Also, how is the ppsspp dev team being able to do it? They've been developing for mobile for a long time. I'm pretty sure that they ran into the exact same issues but that didn't stop them did it?

Back then, the emulation scene wasn't as public or toxic.

Also the requirement for psp emulation is very low, even a device running android 4.2.2 from 2013 works well enough with frameskip even for heavier titles like MH or WWE.

Comparing that to PS3 emulation and the current loud majority of people using low end android device with 2/3gb of ram, which would likely flood the issue tracker with their negative energy and motivation draining spam, not surprise the dev team didn't want to poke the hive.

IMO, putting a technical wall of having to run it via termux or a full desktop environment (windows/linux) is a good way to temporary stem off the majority of negativity.

After all, you don't see much people complaining about how it's slow to run via an emulated windows system on android, they get laughed off by the community for expecting to run at full speed if they complain.

[RQR]

Comparing that to PS3 emulation and the current loud majority of people using low end android device with 2/3gb of ram, which would likely flood the issue tracker with their negative energy and motivation draining spam, not surprise the dev team didn't want to poke the hive.

What about on desktop, the millions of people trying to run Xenia emu (which requires a decent GPU) on hd 4400 intel graphics laptops? Or the millions of laptops users with 4c/4thread intel CPUs trying to run rpcs3 (which enjoys using up to 16 threads if you've them)?

Devices which are "low end" again is _not_ and android specific issue. Tho I guess you could argue there is a greater number of them  there since there are more mobile users in general.

Also the requirement for psp emulation is very low

Okay. What about yuzu emu then? Extremely high requirements. Yes, it is dead. Yes, when the dev's were around and working on it they were constantly complaining about android users. But that toxicity is not what stopped them. If Nintendo didn't sue them, they probably would still be working on it.

Tho I guess you could say that it was "toxic users/community" that kept uploading videos of pirates games that hadn't been released yet which caused Nintendo to accelerate going aggressively after them - but that's a different debate altogether.

Back then, the emulation scene wasn't as public or toxic.

IMO, it was just less visible. It has always been there it's just now everyone is uploading to twitter/social media and checking such mediums.

I mean, I guess yeah, things have become some ways more toxic but this has nothing to do with "emulation" but more just people being more upset about life in general and losing hope.

Who would of thought challenging times, where cost of living, housing, etc is soaring through the roof that such frustrations within someone might possibly cause them to vent in other communities such as emulation?

I also don't like the argument some developers make regarding not getting financially compensated enough. Many of these people are easily good enough to join a FAANG company. If your goal is money go work there then. This is like going to work for non profit charity as a passion project then complaining why you're not getting paid the same as managing director at an investment bank (even tho you've the skills and experience to easily get hired as one if you wanted to really). WTF?

What is with all this hubris and arrogance in the scene? Back in the demoscene era people did things just because of the sheer challenge of it and nothing else. And being able to do something novel nobody had come up and find before was enough. Now it seems like everything is for clout. Or who's making the most money / clicks or some other dumb excuses.

The way the emu scene has been acting recently (ignoring actions by corporations) makes me what to leave it.