PS3 Suggestions for Enhancing PS2 Emulation on PS3: New Features and Improvements for ps2_netemu.self

NZPlayz

NZPlayz

Member
Hey everyone,

- I hope this message finds you well. I am an avid PS3 user and a huge fan of the PS2 emulation capabilities provided by ps2_netemu.self. I am writing to share some ideas for new features and improvements that could enhance the experience for all users.
Firstly, I want to thank the developers for their continuous efforts in maintaining and improving the PS2 emulation on PS3. Your work is truly appreciated by the entire community.

Feature Requests and Improvements for ps2_netemu.self


1. Extend Configuration Menu

Description: Extend the hidden configuration menu (see PS2 emu unlock config mode) to allow direct creation and modification of configuration files on the PS3.
Benefit: This would significantly reduce the time needed to test and tweak configuration files.
Tagging: @mrjaredbeta @3141card @kozarovv

2. Savestate Support

Description: Implementing savestate functionality, potentially on the Cobra side, by dumping RAM and allowing it to be reloaded (similar to the LV1 dumper). This could involve patching some LV1 syscalls to read memory and write it to a file, then load this dump when booting a PS2 game. Alternatively, use the "manual viewer" to dump RAM and load the dump, substituting the "Software Manual" with a "Savestate Loader" if necessary.
Benefit: This would be particularly useful for games with few save points, providing a modern convenience that many users expect from emulation software.
Tagging: @zecoxao @Joonie

3. Enhanced Graphics Filters

Description: Integrate better upscale filters from ps2_gxemu into ps2_netemu for improved visual quality. Using a CFW with LV1 GPU overclock patches might be required to maintain good performance.
Benefit: This would provide enhanced graphics, especially on non-backward compatible consoles, by leveraging superior filtering techniques.
Reference: PS2 on PS3 compatibility discussion

4. Support for New Games,Accessories & Online Multiplayer

Description: Extend support to more PS2 peripherals & games, similar to ps2_emu and ps2_gxemu, which support a wider range of accessories.Which will fix compatibility issues for current PS2 games that don't run on the netemu
Benefit: Enhanced compatibility with various PS2 peripherals, including steering wheels and game controllers, would improve the overall gaming experience. Additionally, integrate network support from ps2_gxemu to enable online multiplayer for PS2 games. (see PS2 Netemu Improvement on Non-BC & Hen Consoles)
Tagging: @mysis

5. Disable Upscaling

Description: Add an option to disable upscaling to 720p, allowing games to output directly in 480p.
Benefit: This could improve performance by reducing GPU load, and users could use external devices for upscaling, which might offer better quality.

6. Memory Card Assignment/Switching

Description: Improve the memory card assignment/switching feature to make it more user-friendly.
Benefit: This has been a long-requested feature and would simplify managing multiple memory cards.

7. Support for Larger Memory Cards

Description: Enable support for larger memory cards (e.g., 128MB), which might involve patching vmc_savedata_plugin.sprx, vmclib.sprx, and libmcadpt.sprx.
Benefit: A larger memory card would reduce the need for frequent card switching and storage management, making it more convenient for users with many save games.
Reference: VMC sizes tutorial
Tagging: @Evilnat

Conclusion

In conclusion, I believe that implementing these features and improvements would greatly benefit the PS3 community and enhance the PS2 emulation experience. I look forward to hearing the thoughts and feedback of both the developers and fellow users.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Credit

Some ideas were taken from a previous post written by @qawsed while other ideas were from other posts.

Best regards,
NZPlayz
 
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I'd really appreciate any developer (especially @aldostools ) implementing these features especially the one concerning PS2 Multiplayer on PS3,I mean just imagine the possibilities that could be created,it would help the PS2,PS3,& PCSX 2 communities to grow and further expand in reviving retro games!
 
GuilloteTesla said:
Without the source code, little can be done to add any of the mentioned features to ps2_netemu.
Click to expand...
I know that at this time I'm asking dumb questions since I'm unfamiliar with all of this but since we do have the file itself, can't we reverse engineer it ? It's a very hard process indeed but it would be worth it.People have been asking for those features for YEARS & not everybody has the money to buy an unreliable CECH-A/B that may or may not break down and that will cost over 300 $.So if any kind person is willing to start this project of reverse engineering the netemu it would be a great contribution to the community.

Some Useful Info: https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/PS2_Emulation#ps2netemu

I based this recommendation off of a ChatGPT question which suggested using Hex editors or reverse engineering the file,so if I sound dumb know that it's not my idea.
 
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its a sensible enough question, its just not practical, reverse engineering something like the ps2netemu would take a long time and probably require a few people working on it for hours everyday for months/years and they would have to be skilled people, plus its not like its a PC program, reversing a PS3 elf would take a longer time since there are less tools and methods to use, plus the ps3 scene doesn't have many active dev's, and to ask them to take months/years out of their time to work on it is a very big ask. Plus these people need to work so unless they was getting paid to reverse it then it would also not make much sense, it would be a great thing if it was done but to reverse it back into readable code would just be too much for most to take on.
 
Devildwarf said:
its a sensible enough question, its just not practical, reverse engineering something like the ps2netemu would take a long time and probably require a few people working on it for hours everyday for months/years and they would have to be skilled people, plus its not like its a PC program, reversing a PS3 elf would take a longer time since there are less tools and methods to use, plus the ps3 scene doesn't have many active dev's, and to ask them to take months/years out of their time to work on it is a very big ask. Plus these people need to work so unless they was getting paid to reverse it then it would also not make much sense, it would be a great thing if it was done but to reverse it back into readable code would just be too much for most to take on.
Click to expand...
Okay thanks for elaborating,it really sounds like a complex process.If that can't be done,then can the netemu be replaced with the gx emu in something like a swap ? Just like how the phat models can switch between hardware and software emulation.
 
NZPlayz said:
Okay thanks for elaborating,it really sounds like a complex process.If that can't be done,then can the netemu be replaced with the gx emu in something like a swap ? Just like how the phat models can switch between hardware and software emulation.
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Nope, i mean you could replace the file but it wouldn't work (probably just brick your system or crash when starting a ps2 game), they removed the hardware inside the ps3 that the gx emu uses so it just won't run on a ps3 that isn't compatible.
 
Devildwarf said:
Nope, i mean you could replace the file but it wouldn't work (probably just brick your system or crash when starting a ps2 game), they removed the hardware inside the ps3 that the gx emu uses so it just won't run on a ps3 that isn't compatible.
Click to expand...
Okay,this is my final attempt at this but would the softemu work ? I don't know anything about it or if it does have networking capabilities
 
NZPlayz said:
Okay,this is my final attempt at this but would the softemu work ? I don't know anything about it or if it does have networking capabilities
Click to expand...

I actually don't know if softemu has network functions or not, it requires very early firmware to even run softemu and it runs games very badly, so since there is no way to run it on later firmwares (unless someone knows a way to get it running on modern firmware and wants to share it), someone did a video on it recently, @DeadEnd might be able to answer any questions you have on the softemu and network functions. His thread on softemu and the other emulators is here
https://www.psx-place.com/threads/testing-old-ps2-software-emulator.44680/
 
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