Stellar Blade DRM, Region Lock Fixes Before PC Launch

Stellar Blade's developer, SHIFT UP, has actively addressed fan concerns about the game's Digital Rights Management (DRM) and region lock issues as the PC release approaches. Here's a detailed look at how these elements impact the game and what measures are being taken.

Stellar Blade PC Updates

SHIFT UP Addressed DRM Concerns

As Stellar Blade gears up for its PC launch, SHIFT UP has responded to community queries about the inclusion of Denuvo, a popular DRM solution. In a recent X post dated May 17, they stated, "DRM has been finely tuned to maintain the same average frame rate, with even higher minimum frames in some instances."

DRM technologies like Denuvo are designed to combat piracy by preventing unauthorized copying and distribution of games. While effective, Denuvo's presence in games has sparked debates due to its potential impact on performance.

SHIFT UP shared detailed performance data from their testing, comparing the game's performance with and without DRM. The results indicate that the game maintains similar average, minimum, and maximum frame rates, as well as 1% and 0.1% low frame rates, whether Denuvo is enabled or not.

Furthermore, SHIFT UP confirmed that Stellar Blade fully supports mods, a feature often limited by DRM. The community has praised the studio's openness but expressed a preference for a DRM-free version to enhance accessibility.

Region Lock Issues

Region lock concerns also loom large for Stellar Blade's PC release, particularly in relation to PlayStation Network (PSN) restrictions. Although the game does not mandate a PSN connection, its availability is limited in regions without PSN support, affecting over 130 countries globally.

SHIFT UP is actively working on resolving these region lock issues, 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've assured that both the PC and PS5 versions will receive identical content updates, ensuring no disadvantage for early adopters.

While fans appreciate SHIFT UP's efforts to address these concerns, there remains a desire for a game free from both DRM and PSN restrictions. Stellar Blade is scheduled for release on PC via Steam on June 11. For the latest updates, be sure to check our ongoing coverage.