Stellar Blade DRM, Region Lock Issues Resolved Before PC Launch

Stellar Blade, the highly anticipated game from developer SHIFT UP, is gearing up for its PC release, and the team has taken proactive steps to address fan concerns about DRM and region lock issues. Let's dive into how these elements will impact your gaming experience and what SHIFT UP plans to do about them.

Stellar Blade PC Updates

SHIFT UP Addressed DRM Concerns

As Stellar Blade prepares for its PC debut, SHIFT UP has been transparent about the game's use of Denuvo, a form of DRM (Digital Rights Management). In a recent Twitter (X) post dated May 17, they 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 designed to prevent unauthorized copying and distribution, but it's often criticized for potentially impacting game performance.

SHIFT UP shared detailed performance test results, comparing the game's performance 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. This transparency has been well-received by fans, although many still hope for a version without Denuvo to enhance accessibility. Additionally, Stellar Blade fully supports mods, which is a significant plus for the modding community.

Region Lock Issues

Another pressing issue for fans is the region lock tied to PlayStation Network (PSN) access. Despite Stellar Blade not requiring a PSN connection, certain regions without PSN support will still be unable to access the game. Currently, over 130 countries are not supported by PSN, which poses a significant barrier for many potential players.

SHIFT UP is actively working on 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've also confirmed that both the PC and PS5 versions will offer identical 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's a strong desire for a DRM-free experience and broader access without PSN restrictions. Stellar Blade's PC version is slated for release on June 11 on Steam. Stay tuned for more updates and detailed information about the game by checking out our related articles below!