Prospero Win

prospero-win v0.2.0 is the biggest update since the first release. 32-bit Windows games now run directly on the PS5's CPU instead of through the translator, Vulkan traffic is batched so DXVK games keep their frame rate, OpenGL games draw through Mesa's Zink, and Windows programs can finally reach the internet by name and over HTTPS.

New to prospero-win? The v0.1.0 release notes explain what it is, what you need and how to add your first game.

Highlights

• 32-bit games run natively. No more instruction translation for 32-bit games by default; the translator stays available as a per-game option and as an automatic fallback.
• Vulkan command batching for 32-bit games, so DXVK and Zink games aren't held back by the cost of switching between the game and the system.
• OpenGL through Zink. OpenGL games no longer need a special build of the app; Mesa's Zink ships in the package.
• Online-ready networking. Host names resolve through the console's own resolver, and Windows' TLS (schannel) works, with a pinned set of root certificates.
• Many fixes found while bringing up GTA San Andreas, GTA IV, Counter-Strike 1.6, Atomic Bomberman, Pizza Tower and larger Windows programs.

What's new

32-bit games on the native CPU

Until now, every 32-bit game ran through prospero-win's x86 translator. In v0.2.0 a 32-bit game runs on the console's CPU in 32-bit mode, through a new WoW64 backend (#432). Games run their own code at full speed; only calls into the system cross over.

• Works on any firmware. The native backend needs to register its signal handlers directly with the kernel. It now finds that entry point in libkernel itself instead of relying on one measured firmware build, and checks it before use, including the layout of the kernel's signal frame (#681).