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

Stellar Blade is set to make its highly anticipated PC debut, bringing with it a range of exciting enhancements. However, as with other Sony-backed titles, the game will face regional restrictions. Let's delve into the bonus content and the implications for countries without access to PlayStation Network (PSN).

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 hasn't been without challenges, including Sony's premature trailer release and unexpected regional restrictions.

Before the official announcement on May 15, a trailer was briefly uploaded to the PlayStation YouTube channel, revealing details about the PC version, including its release date. Although quickly removed, the information spread rapidly online.

Fans will be thrilled to learn that Shift Up has confirmed that PlayStation 5 players will also receive 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 over 120 FPS, and compatibility with ultrawide aspect ratios 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

Data from SteamDB

While PS5 players receive bonuses, the PC launch of Stellar Blade faces significant challenges due to 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 PSN accounts to play the RPG. However, there is a significant overlap between countries where Stellar Blade is blocked on Steam and regions without PSN services, leading many to believe Sony, the game's publisher, is behind these restrictions.

The reason for these widespread regional blocks seems to be tied to Sony’s strategy for its PC game releases and the integration of PSN. Sony has been porting its PlayStation exclusives to PC to expand its audience, but this often comes with a requirement to link Steam profiles to PSN accounts. This is not an issue for countries with PSN access, but it poses a significant barrier in regions where the service is unsupported.

Sony justified this requirement in a November 2024 Investor Call, stating it ensures players can "safely" enjoy their live-service games. This explanation is understandable for games like Helldivers 2, but it raises questions about its application to single-player titles like Stellar Blade and the Horizon series.

The extent of these blocks has surprised many, including the developers, as indicated by their responses to players on Twitter (X). When asked why the game was not available in certain regions, the Stellar Blade official X account replied, "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 inquiries received similar responses.

This situation echoes previous controversies over PSN account linking, notably the backlash against Helldivers 2’s PSN requirement, which led to negative reviews and forced Sony to reverse its policy.

The inclusion of Denuvo, a technology designed to prevent piracy, is another point of contention among PC gamers, who often criticize it for potentially affecting performance and restricting game usage.

However, the official Stellar Blade X account has 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 Stellar Blade will still be locked behind numerous restrictions on June 11 remains to be seen. For more on Stellar Blade, check out our article below!