How to build Obliteration from source?

Follow the developer documentation at dev.obliteration.net, which includes setup instructions for the custom virtualization stack and Rust toolchain. It requires technical knowledge of kernel development and cross-platform compilation.

Obliteration vs RPCS3: which is better for PS4 emulation?

Obliteration focuses on a Rust-based PS4 kernel for cross-platform software emulation, but it can't run games yet. RPCS3 is a mature, C++-based PS3 emulator that runs games, so for current PS4 emulation, Obliteration is not a practical choice.

Can Obliteration run PS4 games on Mac?

No, not currently. The README states it cannot run any games yet, and while it aims for cross-platform support, macOS implementation may lag due to developer focus on Linux.

What are the system requirements for Obliteration?

Requires a CPU with SLAT, 16 GB of RAM, and a 64-bit OS, as per the README. These are minimal for virtualization, but actual usage depends on future game compatibility.

Is Obliteration safe to use or could it damage my system?

As an experimental kernel and virtualization project, it involves low-level operations that could cause instability or crashes. Use with caution, especially on production systems, and test in isolated environments.

When will Obliteration be able to run PS4 games?

There's no estimated timeline. The README mentions ongoing work on UMA systems and migrating legacy code, but progress is slow due to avoiding stubs, so it remains a long-term goal.

How does Obliteration achieve near-native performance?

By using platform-specific hypervisors directly with custom virtual devices for optimized memory-mapped I/O, as detailed in the README, reducing overhead compared to traditional emulation.

Open-Awesome

Obliteration

Apache-2.0Rust

An experimental free and open-source PlayStation 4 kernel rewritten in Rust, designed to run PS4 system software on Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Visit Website GitHub

794 stars27 forks0 contributors

What is Obliteration?

Obliteration is an experimental free and open-source PlayStation 4 kernel rewritten in Rust. It is designed to run dumped PlayStation 4 system software on Windows, Linux, and macOS using a custom virtualization stack, with the ultimate goal of becoming a permissive, open-source operating system optimized for gaming.

Target Audience

Developers and enthusiasts interested in low-level systems programming, kernel development, virtualization, and PlayStation 4 software compatibility, particularly those looking to contribute to or experiment with an open-source gaming OS.

Value Proposition

It offers a from-scratch, permissively licensed Rust implementation of the PS4 kernel with cross-platform support and near-native performance via direct hypervisor integration, aiming for high compatibility while building toward a broader open-source gaming OS vision.

Overview

Experimental free and open-source PlayStation 4 kernel

Use Cases

Best For

Running PlayStation 4 system software on Windows, Linux, or macOS
Studying or experimenting with PlayStation 4 kernel behavior
Contributing to an open-source operating system kernel written in Rust
Developing or testing custom virtualization stacks for gaming
Researching cross-platform hypervisor integration (WHP, KVM, Hypervisor Framework)
Building a permissive, gaming-optimized open-source OS from kernel level

Not Ideal For

Users wanting to play PlayStation 4 games immediately
Production environments requiring stable, full-featured emulation
Beginners or casual users unfamiliar with virtualization and kernel development
Projects needing complete PS4 hardware emulation rather than kernel-focused software

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cross-Platform Hypervisor Integration

Leverages native hypervisors like WHP, KVM, and Hypervisor Framework for optimized MMIO, aiming for near-native performance on Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Permissive Open-Source Licensing

Dual licensed under MIT and Apache-2.0, allowing flexible use and contribution without restrictive terms, as stated in the README.

Modern Rust Implementation

Rewritten from scratch in Rust, benefiting from memory safety and performance for kernel development, as part of a clean-slate approach.

High Compatibility Goal

Kernel behavior designed to be near-identical to the PS4 kernel, targeting high software compatibility, though not yet functional for games.

Cons

Incomplete and Non-Functional

Cannot run any games yet, with only a basic kernel and VMM implemented; many features like UMA system are still in progress.

Uneven Platform Support

Developers primarily use Linux, so Windows and macOS users may encounter unimplemented functions, requiring additional contributions or testing.

Complex for Casual Use

Requires GitHub sign-in for daily builds and building from source needs developer documentation, making it inaccessible for non-technical users.

Experimental and Niche

Based on hard-forks and references, it's in early stages with limited community support and potential stability issues compared to established emulators.

Frequently Asked Questions

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