RetroRemakes PS1 Remaker — Public beta 0.18.2

Build native PS1 game projects and play existing compatible outputs using your
own game discs and supported PS1 BIOS. This package includes the existing batch
queue, update-port/test workflow, controller/display settings and player.

START ON WINDOWS
1. Extract the complete ZIP into a folder you can write to.
2. Install Python 3.11 or newer with Tcl/Tk from https://www.python.org/downloads/windows/.
3. Open Start-PS1-Remaker.cmd for the Studio, or Start-PS1-Player.cmd for the Player.
4. On first use, select your own supported BIOS. Cancel exits the application.
5. Studio: choose input, output and separate game-save folders, then select a CUE
   and all its matching BIN tracks. Use Batch queue for multiple games.
6. Player: import an existing compatible completed project; choose its matching
   CUE/BIN files and a save folder. No rebuild is needed for compatible outputs.

BIOS IS MANDATORY
Supported 512-KiB BIOS dumps: SCPH-1001 v2.2 (USA), SCPH-5501 (USA), SCPH-5500
(Japan) and SCPH-5552 (Europe). Identity is checked using SHA-256, not just size or
filename. No BIOS is included, downloaded, or substituted with OpenBIOS.
The selected BIOS is rechecked before each Studio build/review and Player launch.
A moved, removed, modified or unsupported image is rejected. Public preferences
are separate from the private program. Use Choose PS1 BIOS to change the selection.
A build created for one BIOS requires that BIOS until rebuilt for a different one.
The source BIOS stays where you put it. Builds stage it privately inside their
output to generate their matching runtime backend; do not distribute build folders.

BUILD REQUIREMENTS
The Studio requires a compatible C++ build toolchain, CMake and Windows SDK.
Its upstream framework can download compiler/SDL dependencies for the first build.
Allow time, network access and disk space. A failed build stays visible in the
queue with its local engine.log. Compiling a game does not guarantee compatibility.
The bundled compiler tools are x64 Windows executables; the desktop UI itself is
Python source, not a precompiled standalone Windows EXE. No administrator access
is requested by the application.

FEATURES
Batch queue and pause-between-builds; update port & test; existing-output player;
separate game saves; display presets/fill screen; controller configuration;
precision-renderer settings; multi-disc metadata where supported; texture tools;
history controls. The exact existing runtime capabilities vary by game/build.
Cheats are not implemented. Ray tracing is unavailable. Optional frame generation
is experimental. High internal rendering resolution does not create HD artwork.

STATUS AND SUPPORT
Public beta: automated Studio and BIOS-policy tests pass. Windows installation,
physical controllers and commercial-game compatibility of this public edition
still need testing. No universal game compatibility or finished-remaster claim
is made. Report the program version, Windows version, game disc serial and error;
review logs for private paths before sharing. Do not send game files or BIOS dumps.
Contact: retroremakes26@gmail.com

PRIVACY
No telemetry, account, game upload or BIOS upload is implemented. User preferences
and build logs are stored locally. Public settings are stored separately under
LOCALAPPDATA/RetroRemakes/PS1-Public-Studio and PS1-Public-Player. Game saves remain
in the folder you select. Nothing is published automatically.

DISTRIBUTION
This program package contains no retail BIOS, games, commercial game executables,
extracted game assets or generated retail BIOS/game code. Your original files are
not modified. The engine is PSXRecomp at the revision recorded in ENGINE-PROVENANCE.
Its PolyForm Noncommercial license and third-party notices are retained. This is
a free noncommercial public-beta source distribution. Native game outputs are
separate private development data and must not be uploaded as this program ZIP.
See LICENSE.txt, THIRD-PARTY-NOTICES.txt and PUBLIC-VERIFICATION.json.

APPLICATION UPDATES
Use Update program in Studio or Player. The official update downloads and verifies SHA-256. Choose Restart to update: the program closes, updates its existing files, and opens again in the same location. Close the other PS1 Studio/Player before applying updates. Existing shortcuts, BIOS preferences, queues, builds and saves remain. Recovery copies are under LOCALAPPDATA/RetroRemakes/PS1-Public-Updates (previous-version in the staged update folder). Failed writes restore the previous program. No administrator elevation or separate installation is requested. If the program folder is read-only, the update is cancelled and the original remains usable.
Update port & test separately rebuilds a game port. Standalone players embedded in game outputs do not replace their game project with the full Studio; update the public Studio application instead.
The previous v0.18.1 updater stages a separate copy. Open v0.18.2 once to adopt restart updates; later releases update this same folder.
