Launcher · Windows and Linux
The launcher is where a session starts. It keeps your game library, checks the graphics driver, stores input and display preferences, extracts debug packages and starts game-run with those settings. Windows has a native Win32 interface; Linux has a GTK 3 version with the same pages.
Four pages
01
Holds up to 48 games. Each shows its name from sce_sys/param.json and its cover from sce_sys/icon0.png. Switch between grid and table, search by name, title ID or folder, and remove an entry without touching the game files or its saves. Choose folder, Extract PKG and Launch game sit underneath.
02
Pick Gamepad, Keyboard as DualSense, or both at once. On Windows a DualSense or DualShock 4 is read directly over USB or Bluetooth, and Xbox-compatible pads use XInput slots 1–4. Each DualSense button can be bound to a key; WASD drives the left stick and Alt + arrows the right one. Test runs a second of rumble and a light-bar colour sweep.
03
Lists every local save slot, grouped by title ID, whichever game is selected, and opens the save folder. Saves live in savedata/<titleId>/<slot>/ in the emulator's home and are shared with direct command-line runs.
04
Interface language, output resolution (1080p, 1440p, 4K, 8K, 1080p by default), the Speed or Graphics rendering preset, sound output, an FPS counter in the game window title, the game's performance mode when it offers one, and the graphics API: Vulkan or the experimental DirectX 12. Resolution, preset and API apply on the next launch.
Before the game
At startup the launcher asks the Vulkan loader for an instance and a device. It shows the GPU name and API version, or says that the runtime is missing, that no device was found, or that the driver is below 1.2.
It looks for eboot.bin in the chosen folder and in its decrypted subfolder, then starts game-run with the whole folder mounted as /app0.
If Windows will not start game-run.exe, the launcher explains the likely cause — Smart App Control, security software, denied access or a damaged file — and keeps the Windows error number for bug reports.
Check for updates asks GitHub Releases for the newest published version and links to it when it is newer. On Linux this uses curl.
Graphics API
Settings has a Graphics API card. The choice is saved as graphics_api=vulkan or graphics_api=d3d12 in ps5pcem.ini and reaches game-run as PS5_GRAPHICS_API on the next launch. Vulkan is the default. DirectX 12 is marked experimental in every language, and the sidebar shows it in place of the Vulkan status.
Under the hood
Preferences reach the runner as environment variables, so a direct command-line run behaves the same when you set them yourself.
| Variable | Values | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| PS5_INPUT_MODE | controller | keyboard | hybrid | Input source: controller, keyboard or both |
| PS5_CONTROLLER_INDEX | 0–3 | XInput slot |
| PS5_KEYMAP | cross=32,circle=69,… | Keyboard binding for each DualSense button, as virtual-key codes |
| PS5_OUTPUT_RESOLUTION | 1080 | 1440 | 2160 | 4320 | Output resolution chosen in Settings |
| PS5_GRAPHICS_API | vulkan | d3d12 | Renderer for this run: Vulkan by default, or the experimental Windows-only DirectX 12 backend (dx12 is also accepted). |
| PS5_PERFORMANCE_MODE | speed | graphics | Speed or Graphics rendering preset |
| PS5_GAME_PRESET | default | performance | Asks for the game's performance mode when the switch is on |
| PS5_SHOW_FPS | 1 | Shows the measured frame rate in the window title |
| PS5_AUDIO_DISABLED | 1 | Turns host sound output off; AudioOut timing is kept |
Settings file
Linux
Since 0.3.5 a GTK 3, Cairo and Pango launcher draws the same pages and phrases as the Windows one and keeps the same settings. Keyboard input works; Sony HID and XInput controllers, vibration and LightBar remain Windows features. Linux is experimental, and Windows game results are not Linux results.
Linux installation guideHistory
Each line names the first published release that contained the change.
First Windows launcher: an eight-game library with cover art, a saves browser, and controller, keyboard and hybrid input, in English, Russian, German and French.
Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Arabic and Portuguese join the interface; Arabic reads right to left.
Output resolution and the Speed/Graphics preset; Vulkan is checked at startup instead of assumed.
Extract PKG, with pkgextractor shipped beside the launcher; the running release is shown.
Extraction progress and log inside the launcher; the switch for the game's performance mode.
Explanations for launch failures: Smart App Control, security software, denied access and damaged files.
A 48-game library with grid and table views, search and update checks; a native GTK 3 launcher for Linux.
Turkish, Japanese, Hindi and Korean; the language picker becomes two rows of six.
A Graphics API choice in Settings: Vulkan by default or the experimental native DirectX 12 backend on Windows. Linux stays on Vulkan.
Twelve interface languages
