"Stellar Blade PC Launch: Denuvo DRM and Region Locks Confirmed"

Stellar Blade is set to make its PC debut with a range of exciting enhancements. However, like other Sony-backed titles, it comes with regional restrictions. Dive in to discover the bonus content and the challenges for players in regions without PSN access.

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 stylish action RPG from Shift Up, is expanding its reach with a PC release that promises numerous enhancements. However, its path to PC has been rocky, with Sony prematurely posting the game's trailer and unexpected regional restrictions.

Before the official announcement on May 15, Sony inadvertently revealed details about Stellar Blade's PC version through a trailer uploaded to the PlayStation YouTube channel. Although quickly removed, the internet preserved and spread the information.

Fans will be thrilled to learn that Shift Up has confirmed PlayStation 5 players will also benefit from the new content introduced with the PC release.

In a 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 expect 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 through a free update on the same day.

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

Date from SteamDB

While PS5 players receive a bonus, the PC launch of Stellar Blade has been less than ideal, complicated 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, there is a significant overlap 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 approach to its PC game releases and the integration of the PSN. Sony has been porting its PlayStation exclusives to PC to broaden its audience, but this expansion sometimes requires players to connect their Steam profiles to their PSN accounts. This isn't an issue for countries with PSN access, but it poses a problem in regions where the service is not officially supported.

Sony justified this requirement, as explained by Chief Financial Officer Hiroki Totoki in their November 2024 Investor Call, by stating it ensures everyone can "safely" enjoy their live-service games. This explanation may be understandable for games like Helldivers 2, but it raises questions about why single-player titles like Stellar Blade and the Horizon series are also subject to such restrictions.

The extent of these blocks has surprised many, including the developers themselves, as evident from their responses to players on Twitter (X). When asked why the game was not available 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 were similar.

This issue echoes previous controversies surrounding PSN account linking, notably the backlash against Helldivers 2’s PSN requirement, which led to widespread negative reviews and forced Sony to backtrack on its policy.

Player animosity towards Denuvo, included in the game’s PC release, is another significant concern. Denuvo is designed to prevent piracy but is often criticized by PC gamers for potentially impacting performance and restricting game usage.

However, the official Stellar Blade X account assured players that "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 are eager to see how Sony and Shift Up will address these issues. It remains to be seen whether June 11 will see Stellar Blade still locked behind numerous restrictions. For more on Stellar Blade, check out our article below!