Stellar Blade Tackles DRM and Region Lock Concerns Before PC Launch

Stellar Blade's developer has proactively addressed concerns about the game's use of DRM and potential region-locking issues as it gears up for a PC release. Here's a detailed look at how these factors will impact the game and what steps are being taken to address them.

Stellar Blade PC Updates

SHIFT UP Addressed DRM Concerns

Stellar Blade is poised for its PC debut, and developer SHIFT UP has taken to social media to clarify the game's use of Denuvo (DRM). In a post on X on May 17, they stated, "DRM has been hard tuned to maintain the same average frame rate, with even higher minimum frames in some cases."

DRM, or Digital Rights Management, is a technology used to combat piracy by preventing unauthorized copying and distribution of games. Denuvo, in particular, has sparked debate within the gaming community due to its potential impact on game performance.

SHIFT UP shared results from their performance tests, which showed that the game's performance metrics, including average framerate, minimum framerate, maximum framerate, 1% low framerate, and 0.1% low framerate, remained virtually unchanged whether DRM was enabled or disabled.

Furthermore, the game fully supports mods without any restrictions, a feature often limited by DRM. While fans have praised SHIFT UP's transparency, there remains a desire for the complete removal of Denuvo to enhance the game's accessibility.

Region Lock Issues

Region locking is another point of concern for Stellar Blade's PC release, especially in relation to PlayStation's regional restrictions. Although the game does not require a PlayStation Network (PSN) connection, certain regions without PSN support will still face access limitations. Currently, over 130 countries are unsupported by PSN.

SHIFT UP is actively working on this issue, stating, "We 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 also confirmed that both the PC and PS5 versions of the game will receive identical content updates, ensuring that early buyers are not disadvantaged.

While fans appreciate SHIFT UP's efforts to address these concerns, there is a lingering preference 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 to our updates for the latest on this highly anticipated game!