OVERshadPS4 v0.20.0 arrives with shadNet, the PS4 emulator's own online server
shadPS4, the leading open-source PlayStation 4 emulator, shipped version 0.20.0 on October 14, 2026, just twelve days after v0.19.0. The big news is not in the emulator itself but beside it: the release launches alongside shadNet 0.1.0, a first-party online server run by the project.
Online Bloodborne
According to the release notes, online play in Bloodborne is now officially available through shadNet. That means co-op and the game's messaging features can work without the original PlayStation Network infrastructure. A pre-release build followed on October 15, so expect quick fixes on top.
Elsewhere in emulation
The same two weeks brought Azahar 2126.2, a security update that closes a hole letting a crafted CIA file run code when installed. Update if you use Azahar. PCSX2 nightlies moved into the v2.9.12x range, and RPCS3, Xenia Canary, DuckStation and Vita3K all kept up their rolling builds.
Why it matters for handheld players
shadPS4 runs on PC handhelds like the ROG Ally, Legion Go and Steam Deck, and it is also the base for Android forks. Its developers still describe it as early in development, so performance varies a lot per game. If you try 0.20.0 on a handheld, log your FPS and settings so others can see what is playable. As always, dump games from a PS4 you own.