A new open-source project called AnyPS5 aims to run PlayStation 5 games natively on Windows and Linux, without emulation. Its GitHub page describes it as a tool that relinks PS5 executables into the host system's native format and reimplements the console's system libraries for dynamic linking, similar in concept to Wine or Proton. Since the PS5 already runs on x86-64 Zen 2 hardware, close to a modern PC, AnyPS5 skips CPU emulation and recompiles shaders into SPIR-V for Vulkan instead.

As for progress, the developer says execution now reaches a game's main function, with exception handling built out, and the shader recompiler produces SPIR-V that validates cleanly. The repo's status notes claim a real game reaches its logo, main menu, and some gameplay with audio, though there's no public build to verify that yet. No releases exist, and the developer says one won't go out until a game fully launches through the tool.

It's tempting to think about God of War Laufey or GTA 6 running on a PC through AnyPS5, but that's not realistic anytime soon. AnyPS5 hasn't run a full game yet, and going by how long PS4 and PS3 compatibility work took, that tends to take years.

Sony's pullback from porting single-player exclusives to PC probably explains some of the interest here. That, combined with Sony's decision to end physical disc production by 2028, seems to have spurred an emulation race. Separate PS5 emulators like Kyty PS5 have shown noticeable progress too, briefly running GTA 5 at up to 60 FPS before crashing, and also making the jump over to Xbox Series X. As for AnyPS5, it's still in very early stages, but its unique approach is surely one to keep an eye on as it develops.