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

Stellar Blade is set to make its much-anticipated debut on PC, bringing with it a host of exciting enhancements. However, the journey to the PC platform has not been without its challenges, including regional restrictions and the inclusion of Denuvo DRM. In this article, we explore the new features, bonus content, and the implications for gamers 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 visually stunning action RPG from Shift Up, is expanding its reach with a PC version that promises a suite of enhancements. Prior to the official announcement on May 15, Sony inadvertently revealed the game's trailer on the PlayStation YouTube channel, which included details about the PC release date. Although the trailer was quickly removed, the internet ensured its details were widely shared.

Fans will be excited to learn that PlayStation 5 players will also benefit from 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 ranging 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 as the PC launch.

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

Date from SteamDB

While PS5 players are set to receive additional content, the PC launch of Stellar Blade has been overshadowed by 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 has confirmed that players do not need to link their Steam profiles with their PlayStation Network (PSN) accounts to play the game. However, there is a significant overlap between the countries where Stellar Blade is blocked on Steam and those without PSN services, leading many to believe that Sony, the game's publisher, is behind these restrictions.

Sony's approach to its PC game releases and the integration of PSN appears to be the root cause of these regional blocks. Sony has been increasingly porting its PlayStation exclusives to PC to broaden its audience, but this expansion has sometimes required players to connect their Steam profiles to their PSN accounts. This is not an issue for countries with access to PSN, but it poses a significant problem in regions where the service is not officially supported.

Sony's Chief Financial Officer Hiroki Totoki justified this requirement during a November 2024 Investor Call, stating that it is to ensure everyone can "safely" enjoy their live-service games. This reasoning may be valid 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. When questioned about the game's unavailability in certain regions, the Stellar Blade official X account responded, "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. Similar inquiries received similar responses.

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

Adding to the concerns, the inclusion of Denuvo DRM in the PC release has sparked criticism from players. Denuvo is designed to prevent piracy but is often criticized for potentially impacting performance and restricting how players can use their games. However, the official Stellar Blade X account has 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 the June 11 release date for Stellar Blade on PC approaches, fans are eagerly awaiting to see how Sony and Shift Up will address these issues. For more information on Stellar Blade, be sure to check out our related article below!