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

Stellar Blade is set to make its mark on PC with a range of exciting enhancements. However, like many Sony-backed titles, it comes with regional restrictions that pose challenges for players in certain countries. Let's delve into the upcoming 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 visually stunning action RPG from Shift Up, is expanding its horizons with a PC release packed with enhancements. Yet, the path to PC has been bumpy, with Sony inadvertently leaking the game's trailer and unforeseen regional restrictions that even surprised the developers.

Before the official announcement on May 15, Sony prematurely uploaded a trailer to the PlayStation YouTube channel, revealing details about the PC version, including its release date. Despite being quickly removed, the information spread rapidly across the internet.

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, technical director DongKi Lee outlined the enhancements, which include support for NVIDIA DLSS 4 and AMD FSR 3 upscaling, unlocked framerates exceeding 120 FPS, and compatibility with ultrawide aspect ratios ranging from 5:4 to 32:9. Players can also enjoy 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, including 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

While PS5 players receive a bonus, the PC launch of Stellar Blade is complicated by significant 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 clarified that players do not need to connect their Steam profiles to 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, leading many to believe Sony, the game's publisher, is responsible.

The reason for these regional blocks seems tied to Sony's approach to 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 expansion often comes with a push for players to link their Steam profiles to their PSN accounts. This isn't an issue for countries with access to PSN, but it creates problems in regions where the service isn't supported.

Sony's Chief Financial Officer, Hiroki Totoki, explained in a November 2024 Investor Call that this requirement is to ensure players can "safely" enjoy their live-service games. However, this justification is less clear for single-player titles like Stellar Blade and the Horizon series.

The extent of these blocks has surprised many, including the developers themselves. When asked about the game's unavailability in certain regions, the Stellar Blade official X account responded, "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 inquiries received similar responses.

This situation echoes the controversy surrounding 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 PC release has raised concerns among players. Denuvo is designed to prevent piracy but is often criticized for potentially affecting performance and limiting how players can use their games.

However, the official Stellar Blade X account 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 the release date of June 11 approaches, fans are eager to see how Sony and Shift Up will address these issues. For more on Stellar Blade, check out our article below!