The PlayStation 4 (PS4) Emulator

In this guide, you’ll learn how to install the retail version of Bloodborne and apply essential modifications to enhance the game’s performance. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth and optimized gaming experience.

Please Note: The emulator is in its early, experimental stages, and compatibility with your hardware cannot be guaranteed. You may experience frequent crashes and significant glitches even if the emulator runs.

Prerequisites for Running Bloodborne on a PC PS4 Emulator

1.1. Jailbroken PS4

• It is required to dump the game and acquire essential system modules.
• Note: This guide does not provide instructions on jailbreaking your PS4 or dumping games.

1.2. Bloodborne 1.0 Retail .pkg

• Compatible with both the Standard and Game of the Year editions.

1.3. Bloodborne 1.09 Update .pkg

• Compatible with both the Standard and Game of the Year editions.
• Important: Ensure the 1.0 retail .pkg and 1.09 update .pkg have the same TitleID (CUSAXXXX).

1.4. RAM and VRAM Requirements

• RAM (Central Processing Unit Memory)
  Due to severe memory leaks in the emulator, crashes are common. Maximize your RAM to mitigate this:
• Minimum: 16 GB (assuming minimal background processes)
• Recommended: 32 GB
• Tip: Running out of RAM? Increase your pagefile to compensate. Learn how to adjust your pagefile here.
• VRAM (Graphics Processing Unit Memory)
  Some areas in the game can quickly consume a large amount of VRAM, causing crashes on GPUs with only 8 GB:
• Recommended: A GPU with at least 12 GB of VRAM.
• Tip: If the game crashes in a specific area, try looking at the ground to reduce VRAM load.
• Note: AMD GPUs have reported more issues. Even with the correct drivers, crashes can still occur. Download the latest AMD drivers here.

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Step 1: Download ShadPS4 bb-hacks Branch Build

To proceed, ensure you are logged into your GitHub account, then follow the steps below to download the appropriate build for your operating system. We recommend using the Main branch forked by diegolix29, which is more stable than the official branch. However, if you prefer, you can also download the official main branch version from the link provided at the bottom of the page.

Downloading the Latest Build ⬇

Nightly page (No GitHub Login Required)

• Windows (diegolix29)
• Click on the latest workflow, then download the Windows Main branch version, including hacks and skips to enhance gameplay.
• MacOS (diegolix29)
• Click on the latest workflow, then download the MacOS Main branch version, including hacks and skips to enhance gameplay.
• Linux (diegolix29)
• Click on the latest workflow, then download the Linux Main branch version, including hacks and skips to enhance gameplay.

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Step 2: Unzip the Archive and Run ShadPS4 for the First Time

1. Unzip the Archive: Extract the downloaded ShadPS4 diegolix29 branch build to a location on your computer.
2. Run ShadPS4: Launch the ShadPS4 emulator for the first time. The emulator will prompt you to create a game folder.
3. Create a Game Folder: It’s recommended to create a folder named “games” within the ShadPS4 directory. This will help keep your game files organized. If the emulator doesn’t open, try installing or reinstalling the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable (VC++) to resolve the issue.

Step 3: Obtain and Install System Modules from Your Jailbroken PS4

It is highly recommended to obtain system modules from your jailbroken PS4. The following firmware modules are supported and must be placed in the user/sys_modules ShadPS4 emulator folder. Tested firmware modules should be from firmware version 11.00.
The required system modules should be extracted directly from your PS4. To obtain the necessary 11.00 sys_modules files, follow the tutorial [here].

⚠️ Important Note: The impact of these files on Bloodborne’s performance remains a subject of ongoing community discussion. While some players report improved stability and performance when using these files, others experience smooth gameplay without them, and some users have reported crashes. This section will be updated as new findings and evidence become available.

libSceNgs2.sprx
libSceLibcInternal.sprx
libSceDiscMap.sprx (probably better not to add this one for now)
libSceRtc.sprx
libSceJpegEnc.sprx
libSceJson2.sprx
libSceJson.sprx
libSceFiber.sprx
libSceUlt.sprx

Step 4: Install the Bloodborne Retail .pkg and 1.09 Update .pkg

1. Install the Bloodborne Retail .pkg: Install the Bloodborne 1.0 retail .pkg file.
2. Install the 1.09 Update .pkg: After installing the retail package, install the 1.09 update .pkg file.
3. Locate the Installation Folder: In your ShadPS4 games folder, a new folder named CUSA00900, CUSA00207, CUSA03173, CUSA00208, or CUSA01363 will appear. This installation folder contains the game files you will modify in this guide.

Step 5: Installing Patches (Highly Recommended)

Several patches are available to enhance both the stability and overall gaming experience in Bloodborne.

1. Access Patches: Right-click the game in ShadPS4 and select Cheats / Patches, then click on Patches.
2. Download Patches: At the bottom of the screen, select ShadPS4 repository and click Download patches.
3. Select and Apply Patches: Now, choose the patches you want to apply. While some are based on personal preference, the following are highly recommended:
   • Skip Intro: – Skips the “Sony, Japan Studios, FromSoftware” title screens, saving time when booting. This is particularly useful as the emulator may crash during these screens.
   • Disable Chromatic Aberration: – Removes the effect that misaligns colors around the edges of the screen.
   • Disable Motion Blur: – Disables the blur effect on moving objects. While this might be preferable at low frame rates like 30 FPS, the emulator’s current state makes it look unappealing, so disabling it is recommended.
   • 60 FPS Fix (With Deltatime) (Recommended for High RAM Systems): – Enables the game to run at 60 FPS. It’s recommended to keep Vsync enabled at this frame rate.
   • 60 FPS Fix (With Deltatime) + Disable VSync (Recommended for Very High RAM Systems): – Allows the game to run at uncapped FPS. To exceed 60 FPS, you must change the Vblank Divider option in ShadPS4’s Settings to 4.
   • Resolution Patches: – By default, Bloodborne runs at 1080p. Additional resolution patches are available, such as 1440p, ultrawide, and 1280×900 (for Steam Deck) thanks to Xzy. For stability, applying the 720p patch or avoiding resolution patches is recommended.
4. Save and Play: – Save your selected patches and enjoy an optimized gaming experience!

Step 6: Essential Fixes and Troubleshooting

Important: These tweaks may remove sounds, effects, or assets from the game to prevent crashes or improve performance. Make sure to back up your original files before proceeding.

Fix: No Sound

• Solution: Install the Bloodborne PC Sounds Mod to restore missing sounds, follow the tutorial [here].

Fix: Yellow Lighting Glitches + Increase FPS

• Solution:

1. Delete Point Lights: Install the FPS Boost Maps by fromsoftserve to remove point lights and improve performance and graphical glitches.
   • Note: If you only want to remove point lights and keep the rest of the game unchanged, skip copying the “mapstudio” folder from the FPS Boost Maps.
2. Disable SFX (like fire, blood): Move all files in ShadPS4/games/CUSAXXXXX/dvdroot_ps4/sfx to a separate folder.

Fix: Black/Grey Screen When Loading Into the Game

• Solution: There are two methods to address this issue:

1. Keeping Drawparams (Retains original post-processing at the cost of performance):
   • Ensure the RivaTuner Statistics Server is disabled.
   • If using a resolution patch, install the Grey Screen Fix by fromsoftserve.
2. Removing Drawparams (Improves performance but reduces visual quality):
   • Move all files in ShadPS4/games/CUSAXXXXX/dvdroot_ps4/param/drawparam to a separate folder, except for default.gparam.dcx and default_drawparam.gparambnd.dcx.

Fix: Crash When Enemy Attacks + Increase FPS (Probably Not Needed Anymore)

• Solution:
• Disable SFX: Move all files in ShadPS4/games/CUSAXXXXX/dvdroot_ps4/sfx to a separate folder.
• Disable Sounds: Move all files in ShadPS4/games/CUSAXXXXX/dvdroot_ps4/sound to a separate folder, except for:
  • sprj_mixer.fev
  • sprj_multich.mch
  • sprj_multimix.mix
  • sprj_multirpc.rpc

Fix: Crash When Dying/Warping (Probably Not Needed Anymore)

• Solution: Update your build, or if you crash right after loading, perform the following steps to fix your save:

1. Temporarily move/rename dvdroot_ps4\mtd\allmaterialbnd.mtdbnd.dcx.
2. Boot the game (you will see nothing; wait a few seconds).
3. Restore dvdroot_ps4\mtd\allmaterialbnd.mtdbnd.dcx.
4. Reboot the game. It would help if you now reawakened instead of crashing upon death.

Step 7: Updating to the Latest Emulator Version

1. Download the Latest Emulator Build:
   • Visit the official site or repository to get the newest version.
2. Transfer User Data:
   • Move the user folder from your old emulator directory to the new one to ensure your sys_modules and save files are preserved.
3. (Optional) Transfer ReShade Files:
   • If you use ReShade, copy the ReShade folder and all related files from your old emulator folder to the new one.

Step 8: Bloodborne Remaster Project (Optional)

Bloodborne Remaster Project features:

1. This optional mod will upscale every texture in Bloodborne by 2x, enhancing many textures to 2K and 4K resolution. The modder continuously updates the mod as each area is completed, providing a more detailed and visually stunning experience.
2. This mod adds dynamic shadows to every element in the game, boosts ambient occlusion, and alters gparams to improve shadow render distance and overall stability. These enhancements greatly improve the visual quality and performance of the game.

You can now download and install the Bloodborne Remaster Project Mod, which currently covers the following areas:

• Hunter’s Dream
  Central Yharnam
  Cathedral Ward
  Upper Cathedral Ward
  Hemwick Charnel Lane
  Forbidden Woods
  Old Yharnam
  Nightmare of Mensis
  Byrgenwerth (includes lecture hall)
  Nightmare Frontier
  Yahar’gul
  Cainhurst Castle

More areas will be added soon!

These steps ensure a smooth update process while retaining your settings and data.

Installation Instructions:

1. Download the remaster mod for Bloodborne on PC.
2. To apply the modifications, copy the map and param folders from the mod.
3. Paste it into your Bloodborne dvdroot_ps4 folder.
4. Overwrite the existing files when prompted.

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