Stellar Blade DRM, Region Lock Addressed Before PC Launch

Stellar Blade's developer, SHIFT UP, has proactively addressed concerns regarding the game's use of DRM and potential region-locking issues ahead of its much-anticipated PC release. Dive into the details to understand how these elements impact the game and what measures are being taken to ensure a seamless gaming experience.

Stellar Blade PC Updates

SHIFT UP Addressed DRM Concerns

Stellar Blade is gearing up for its PC debut, and SHIFT UP has responded to fan worries about the incorporation of Denuvo, a form of DRM (Digital Rights Management). In a clear statement shared via Twitter (X) on May 17, they confirmed that "DRM has been meticulously optimized to maintain the same average frame rate, with even higher minimum frames in some instances."

DRM serves as an anti-tamper measure to safeguard games from unauthorized duplication and distribution, which can make it challenging for pirates to crack and distribute game versions. Denuvo, in particular, has sparked debates due to its potential impact on game performance.

SHIFT UP released detailed performance test results comparing gameplay with and without DRM. These tests demonstrated that the game's performance metrics, including average, minimum, maximum, 1% low, and 0.1% low framerates, remain consistent across both scenarios. Moreover, the game fully supports modding without any limitations, a feature often restricted in games with DRM. While fans have expressed appreciation for SHIFT UP's openness, many still advocate for the removal of Denuvo to enhance game accessibility.

Region Lock Issues

In addition to DRM concerns, fans have raised issues about region locking tied to the PlayStation Network (PSN) for Stellar Blade's PC version. Although the game does not require a PSN connection, certain regions without PSN support will face access restrictions. Currently, over 130 countries fall outside PSN's coverage.

SHIFT UP is actively working with their publisher to tackle these region lock challenges, stating they are "closely discussing the issue and doing our BEST to resolve most of it as soon as possible." They assure players that both PC and PS5 versions will feature identical content, ensuring that "early buyers are never at a disadvantage through future updates."

While fans commend SHIFT UP's efforts to address these concerns, many still hope for a version of the game free from DRM and PSN-related restrictions. Stellar Blade's PC release is slated for June 11 on Steam. Stay informed with the latest updates by checking out our related article below!