---
title: Status definitions — Stable, Beta, Test | Meridian
description: Exact meaning of Meridian's Stable, Beta, and Test ratings: session scope, defect tolerance, and settings basis.
canonical: https://ps5emulatorwindows.com/compat/status-definitions
updated: 2026-10-13
---

# Status definitions

Stable finishes sessions clean; Beta plays with workarounds; Test boots far enough to judge.

## Facts (2026-10-13)

- **Stable:** Full sessions, default settings, no blockers
- **Beta:** Playable with documented workarounds
- **Test:** Boots to evaluation; not finishable
- **Basis:** Reference rig, repeated runs, warmed cache

## Rating promises

| Rating | Session scope | Workarounds | Recommendation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Stable | Full sessions at defaults | None | Play |
| Beta | End to end with notes applied | Documented | Play with notes |
| Test | Menus plus early gameplay | N/A | Wait or follow progress |

## Definitions

Stable: the title completes full sessions at default settings on the reference rig with no blocking defects and no workarounds. Minor cosmetic issues may remain if they never block progress.

Beta: the title is playable end to end with documented workarounds — a settings change, a cache warm-up ritual, or avoiding one optional mode. Undocumented blockers disqualify Beta.

Test: the title boots far enough to evaluate — menus plus early gameplay — but is not finishable within tolerance. Test is a progress marker, not a recommendation.

## What ratings assume

- Reference hardware per [Minimum and recommended hardware](/hardware/minimum-recommended), warmed [Shader cache](/reference/shader-cache), official firmware per [Install firmware](/protocol/install-firmware).

- Owned dumps only. Own your library — 400+ titles indexed in the [Library](/library).

- Offline modes. Online services are outside every rating by design.

Promotions require repeated clean runs under [Compatibility methodology](/log/compatibility-methodology). Build: [Download Meridian](/download).

## FAQ

### Is Beta good enough to play?

Yes, with the documented workarounds applied. Read the title's note first — workarounds are part of the rating.

### Why is a running game still Test?

Because it cannot yet finish within tolerance on the reference rig. Running is necessary but not sufficient.

### Do settings changes void a rating?

Ratings are quoted at stated settings. Custom settings are valid play but not the rating configuration.

## Related

- [Compat](https://ps5emulatorwindows.com/compat)
- [Stable titles](https://ps5emulatorwindows.com/compat/stable-titles)
- [Compatibility methodology](https://ps5emulatorwindows.com/log/compatibility-methodology)
- [Library](https://ps5emulatorwindows.com/library)
- [Minimum and recommended](https://ps5emulatorwindows.com/hardware/minimum-recommended)

## Download

Free Windows app: [Download Meridian](https://ps5emulatorwindows.com/download)

Markdown mirror: https://ps5emulatorwindows.com/compat/status-definitions.md