"Stellar Blade PC Release: Denuvo and Region Lock Confirmed"

Stellar Blade is set to make its mark on PC with a range of exciting enhancements. However, like other Sony-backed titles, it comes with regional restrictions that impact players in countries without PSN access. Dive into the details of the bonus content and the challenges posed by these restrictions.

Stellar Blade’s PC Release: The Good and The Bad

The Good: PS5 Players Get Free Update with New Content and Features

Stellar Blade, the acclaimed action RPG from Shift Up, is poised to expand its audience with a PC release that boasts numerous enhancements. However, the path to PC has been rocky, with Sony's premature posting of the game's trailer and unexpected regional restrictions.

Before the official announcement on May 15, a trailer was inadvertently uploaded to the PlayStation YouTube channel, revealing key details about the PC version, including its release date. Although the trailer was swiftly removed, the internet ensured the information spread far and wide.

Shift Up has also confirmed that PlayStation 5 players will enjoy the new content introduced with the PC release. In a detailed PlayStation Blog post, Shift Up’s technical director, DongKi Lee, outlined the enhancements coming to both platforms. These include support for NVIDIA DLSS 4 and AMD FSR 3 upscaling, unlocked framerates exceeding 120 FPS, and ultrawide aspect ratio compatibility from 5:4 to 32:9. Players can also look forward to high-resolution textures, full keyboard and mouse remapping, DualSense controller support with haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, and additional voiceover options in Japanese and Chinese.

The PC version introduces new content such as a boss battle against Mann, the leader of the Sentinels, and 25 additional costumes for protagonist Eve. This content will be available to PlayStation 5 users via a free update on the same day.

The Bad: Stellar Blade PC Launch Marred by Regional Restrictions and Denuvo DRM

Data from SteamDB

While PS5 players receive a bonus, the PC launch of Stellar Blade is overshadowed by significant regional restrictions and the inclusion of Denuvo DRM. According to SteamDB, the game is currently unavailable for purchase on Steam in over 100 countries.

Shift Up confirmed that players do not need to connect their Steam profiles with their PlayStation Network (PSN) accounts to play the RPG. However, a notable overlap exists between the countries where Stellar Blade is blocked on Steam and regions without PSN services, leading many to believe Sony, the game's publisher, is responsible.

The widespread regional blocks seem linked to Sony's strategy for its PC game releases and PSN integration. Sony aims to broaden its audience by porting PlayStation exclusives to PC. However, this expansion sometimes includes a push for players to link their Steam profiles to PSN accounts, which poses challenges in regions without official PSN support.

Sony justified this requirement during their November 2024 Investor Call, with Chief Financial Officer Hiroki Totoki stating it ensures everyone can "safely" enjoy their live-service games. While this may be understandable for games like Helldivers 2, it raises questions about its necessity for single-player titles like Stellar Blade and the Horizon series.

The extent of these blocks has surprised many, including the developers, as evidenced by their responses to players on Twitter (X). When asked why the game was unavailable in certain regions, the Stellar Blade official X account stated, "The PC version of Stellar Blade does not require a PSN account. May I ask where you live?" accompanied by a "face screaming in fear" emoji. Subsequent replies to similar inquiries echoed this response.

This issue mirrors previous controversies around PSN account linking, notably the backlash against Helldivers 2's PSN requirement, which led to negative reviews and forced Sony to reverse its policy.

Adding to the concerns, the game's PC release includes Denuvo, a technology designed to prevent piracy but often criticized by PC gamers for potentially impacting performance and restricting game usage.

However, the official Stellar Blade X account reassured players, stating, "After extensive testing and relentless optimization, the game delivers high frame rates on a variety of setups. Even on the Steam Deck, you can reach 45-50 FPS with the right settings!"

As Stellar Blade's PC release date approaches, fans eagerly await how Sony and Shift Up will address these issues. Whether or not June 11 will see Stellar Blade still locked behind numerous restrictions remains to be seen. For more on Stellar Blade, check out our article below!