RetroArch for macOS Crashes When Trying to Run a Game Using SwanStation Core

[alexstreltsov]

Description
RetroArch for macOS crashes when trying to run a game using SwanStation core. At the same time, the game works properly when using a different core (Beetle PSX).

Expected Behavior
Successful launch of a game.

Actual Behavior
RetroArch crashes and macOS prompts to view and submit a crash report.

Steps to Reproduce the Bug

1. Launch RetroArch (as I understand, the configuration does not matter).
2. Import a new game to RetroArch or select one of the previously imported ones (tested with BIN/CUE format).
3. Run the game.

Bisect Results
I am a recent user of RetroArch, so this bug has existed for me from the very beginning of use (version 1.11.0).

Version/Commit

• RetroArch: 1.12.0 / 1.11.1 / 1.11.0

Environment Information

• OS: macOS Ventura 13.0 / macOS Monterey 12.6
• Hardware: MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018), Intel Core i7 (6-core, 2,6 GHz), 16 GB 2400 MHz DDR4, Radeon Pro 560X 4 ГБ

Additional Information
RetroArch macOS Crash Report
RetroArch Log File

[DarthMew]

It seems to error out when trying to initiate the video driver (OpenGL).
I know from hearsay that MacOS is particularly weird when it comes to support for graphics APIs like OpenGL and Vulkan (present but deprecated and non existent respectively).
That, and assuming you're referring to Beetle PSX and not Beetle PSX HW, it would make sense Beetle would work, as the non-HW version will always render graphics in software regardless of video driver.

Could you try and see if any other OpenGL rendered core (I.E. Flycast, or Beetle PSX HW) crashes after being run?
Because if they do not crash, I might be able to narrow down what the issue may be in the case of SwanStation.

[alexstreltsov]

I tried Beetle PSX HW and checked the logs. All errors and warnings are almost the same. You were right.

This is strange because, based on the information that can be found on OpenGL website, at this link, as well as from the information that I got earlier, macOS is the only OS where OpenGL updates are included as part of macOS system updates. I have never dealt directly with the rendering APIs, however, as I understand it, the OpenGL driver is the only option for macOS that is available by default.

From what I can find out about SwanStation, this core has a number of advantages over other PlayStation cores. It would be great if it worked properly on macOS! 🤩

Here you can check the latest crash report and log file:
RetroArch macOS Crash Report
RetroArch Log File

[DarthMew]

At least OpenGL not working is consistent I guess.

Forgot to ask before, but you aren't trying to load any shaders, and if so, have you tried loading a game without one?

Other than that, if this becomes a wider problem for MacOS in the future due to Apple further deprecating OpenGL on their platform, I might have to have the renderer default to the software renderer for MacOS so people can at least start the core without it crashing outright.

[alexstreltsov]

I wasn't trying to load any shaders. Also, all RetroArch settings were set to default values. I only changed the default directories (but I did some tests without changing default directories and the result was the same, of course).

[DarthMew]

Just wanted to make sure.

[alexstreltsov]

Looking forward to any updates from you 👍

P. S. Accidentally closed the issue, sorry.