Stellar Blade PC: Denuvo Included, Region-Locked

Stellar Blade is preparing for its highly anticipated PC release, bringing a range of exciting enhancements to the table. However, like many Sony-backed titles, it comes with regional restrictions that could impact players in certain countries. Below, we delve into the new content and the challenges posed by these restrictions, especially for those without access to PlayStation Network (PSN).

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 captivating action RPG developed by Shift Up, is set to expand its reach with a PC release that promises a host of enhancements. However, its path to PC hasn't been entirely smooth, with Sony prematurely posting the game’s trailer and regional restrictions that even the developers themselves seem to have been caught off guard by.

Before the official announcement on May 15, Sony inadvertently revealed key details about Stellar Blade’s PC debut through a prematurely uploaded trailer on the official PlayStation YouTube channel. Although the trailer was quickly taken down, the internet had already spread the information far and wide.

Fans will be thrilled to learn that 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, Shift Up’s technical director, DongKi Lee, detailed the enhancements coming to both platforms. These include support for NVIDIA DLSS 4 and AMD FSR 3 upscaling, unlocked framerates exceeding 120 FPS, and ultrawide aspect ratio compatibility ranging from 5:4 to 32:9. Players can also expect 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 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 through a free update on the same day.

The Bad: Stellar Blade PC Launch Marred by Regional Restrictions and Denuvo DRM

Data from SteamDB

While PS5 players enjoy these bonuses, the PC launch of Stellar Blade has been less than ideal, 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 has clarified that players do not need to connect their Steam profiles with their PlayStation Network (PSN) accounts to play the RPG. However, there's 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 behind these restrictions.

The reason behind these widespread regional blocks seems linked to Sony’s approach to its PC game releases and the integration of PSN. Sony has been increasingly porting its PlayStation exclusives to PC to broaden its audience. However, this expansion has sometimes been accompanied by a push for players to connect their Steam profiles to their PSN accounts. This isn’t necessarily an issue for many countries with access to PSN, but it creates a problem in regions where the service is not officially supported.

Sony justified this requirement, as explained by Chief Financial Officer Hiroki Totoki in their November 2024 Investor Call, stating that it ensures everyone can "safely" enjoy their live-service games. This explanation may be understandable for games like Helldivers 2, but it raises questions about why single-player titles like Stellar Blade and the Horizon series are also subject to such restrictions.

The extent of these blocks has caught many off guard, including the developers themselves, as evident from their replies to players on Twitter (X). When asked why the game was not available in certain regions, the Stellar Blade official X account stated, "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. Subsequent replies to similar inquiries netted similar answers.

This issue echoes previous controversies surrounding PSN account linking, most notably the backlash against Helldivers 2’s PSN requirement, which led to widespread negative reviews and forced Sony to backtrack on its policy.

It doesn’t help, too, that player animosity towards Denuvo, which the game’s PC release includes, is a significant point of concern. Denuvo is a technology designed to prevent piracy, but it is often criticized by PC gamers for potentially impacting performance and restricting how players can use their games.

However, the official Stellar Blade X account assured 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 Stellar Blade’s PC release date approaches, fans are eager to see how Sony and Shift Up will address these issues. For now, it remains to be seen whether June 11 will see Stellar Blade still locked behind numerous restrictions. For more on Stellar Blade, check out our article below!