"Stellar Blade PC Release: Denuvo Included, Region-Locked"

Stellar Blade is set to make its much-anticipated debut on PC, bringing with it a range of exciting enhancements. However, like other Sony-backed titles, the game comes with regional restrictions that could impact players in certain countries. Let's delve into the details about the bonus content and the implications for 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 developed by Shift Up, is expanding its reach with a PC release that promises numerous enhancements. However, the journey to PC hasn't been entirely smooth, with Sony prematurely posting the game’s trailer and unexpected regional restrictions.

Before the official announcement on May 15, a trailer was uploaded prematurely to the official PlayStation YouTube channel, revealing key details about the PC version, including its release date. Although quickly removed, the internet preserved and shared the information.

Fans will be delighted to know that Shift Up has confirmed that 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, detailed 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.

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

Data from SteamDB

While PS5 players receive a bonus, the PC launch of Stellar Blade has faced significant challenges, including 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. This has led many to believe that Sony, the game's publisher, is behind the restrictions.

The widespread regional blocks seem to be linked to Sony’s approach to its PC game releases and the integration of PSN. Sony has been increasingly porting its PlayStation exclusives to PC to broaden its audience. However, this expansion often comes with a push for players to connect their Steam profiles to their PSN accounts. This isn’t a problem in countries with access to PSN, but it creates issues 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, stating it is to ensure 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, most notably the backlash against Helldivers 2’s PSN requirement, which led to widespread negative reviews and forced Sony to reverse its policy.

Additionally, the inclusion of Denuvo DRM in the game's PC release has raised concerns among 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 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 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!