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

Stellar Blade is set to make its much-anticipated debut on PC, bringing a range of exciting enhancements. However, like other Sony-backed titles, it comes with regional restrictions. Dive into the details about 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 visually stunning action RPG from Shift Up, is expanding its horizons with a PC release that promises numerous enhancements. Yet, the path to PC hasn't been entirely smooth, with Sony's premature trailer release and unexpected regional restrictions.

Before the official announcement on May 15, an early glimpse of Stellar Blade’s PC version was inadvertently shared by Sony on the PlayStation YouTube channel. This trailer, although quickly removed, revealed the PC release date and other details that spread rapidly across the internet.

Shift Up has confirmed that PlayStation 5 players will also enjoy the new content introduced with the PC version. In a detailed PlayStation Blog post, Technical Director DongKi Lee outlined the enhancements, including support for NVIDIA DLSS 4 and AMD FSR 3 upscaling, unlocked framerates exceeding 120 FPS, and compatibility with ultrawide aspect ratios from 5:4 to 32:9. Other features include 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 also 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 via a free update on the same day as the PC release.

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 faced significant hurdles 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 has clarified that players do not need to link their Steam profiles to their PlayStation Network (PSN) accounts to play the RPG. However, a notable overlap exists 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 blocks appears to be Sony's strategy for its PC game releases and the integration of PSN. Sony has been porting its PlayStation exclusives to PC to reach a broader audience, but this often comes with a push for players to connect their Steam profiles to PSN accounts. This isn't an issue in countries with PSN access, but it poses a significant problem in regions where the service is not supported.

Sony's Chief Financial Officer, Hiroki Totoki, justified this requirement during a November 2024 Investor Call, stating it's to ensure players can "safely" enjoy their live-service games. This explanation might be valid 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 evident from their responses on Twitter (X). When asked about the game's availability 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. Similar responses followed other inquiries.

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

The inclusion of Denuvo, often criticized by PC gamers for potentially affecting performance and restricting gameplay, adds to the concerns. However, the official Stellar Blade X account has reassured 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 approaches, fans eagerly await to see how Sony and Shift Up will address these issues. For more on Stellar Blade, check out our article below!