"Stellar Blade DRM, Region Lock Issues Resolved Before PC Launch"

Stellar Blade's developer has actively addressed fan concerns regarding DRM and region lock issues as the game approaches its PC release. Here's a detailed look at how these issues are being managed.

Stellar Blade PC Updates

SHIFT UP Addressed DRM Concerns

Stellar Blade is gearing up for its PC debut, and developer SHIFT UP has tackled fan worries about the use of Denuvo, a form of DRM (Digital Rights Management). On May 17, via a post on Twitter (now X), SHIFT UP assured fans that "DRM has been hard tuned to maintain the same average frame rate, with even higher minimum frames in some cases."

DRM is an anti-tamper technology designed to prevent unauthorized copying and distribution of games, often sparking debate over its impact on game performance. Despite the controversy surrounding Denuvo, SHIFT UP shared performance test results comparing the game with and without DRM. The data showed virtually no difference in average framerate, minimum framerate, maximum framerate, 1% low framerate, and 0.1% low framerate.

Furthermore, Stellar Blade fully supports mods without any restrictions, a feature often compromised by DRM. While fans have praised SHIFT UP's transparency, many still hope the studio will consider removing Denuvo to enhance the game's accessibility.

Region Lock Issues

Another pressing issue for fans is the region lock situation tied to PlayStation's network. Although Stellar Blade does not require a connection to the PlayStation Network (PSN), certain regions without PSN support will still be unable to access the game. Currently, over 130 countries fall into this category.

SHIFT UP is actively addressing this issue, stating they are "closely discussing the region lock issue with the publisher and are doing our BEST to resolve most of it as soon as possible." They have also confirmed that both PC and PS5 versions will contain the same content, ensuring that "early buyers are never at a disadvantage through future updates."

While fans appreciate SHIFT UP's efforts to address these concerns, there remains a desire for a DRM-free experience and fewer restrictions tied to PSN. Stellar Blade's PC version is scheduled for release on June 11 on Steam. Stay tuned for further updates on this exciting release!