Stellar Blade DRM and Region Lock Issues Addressed Ahead of PC Release

Stellar Blade's developer, SHIFT UP, has addressed concerns about the game's use of DRM and its region lock issues as it gears up for its PC release. Dive in to understand how these factors impact the game and what measures are being taken to resolve them.

Stellar Blade PC Updates

SHIFT UP Addressed DRM Concerns

With Stellar Blade's anticipated PC launch, SHIFT UP tackled fan queries about the game's DRM, specifically Denuvo. On May 17, via a Twitter (X) post, 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 an anti-tamper technology designed to thwart unauthorized copying and distribution, making it challenging for pirates to release cracked versions of the game. Denuvo, in particular, has sparked debates over its impact on game performance.

SHIFT UP shared detailed test results showing Stellar Blade's performance with and without DRM. Their data revealed virtually identical average, minimum, maximum, 1% low, and 0.1% low framerates. Moreover, the game fully supports mods, a feature often restricted in games with DRM. While fans appreciate SHIFT UP's transparency, many still advocate for dropping Denuvo to enhance the game's accessibility.

Region Lock Issues

Another pressing issue for Stellar Blade's PC release is the region lock tied to PlayStation's network. Although the game does not require a PlayStation Network (PSN) connection, over 130 countries without PSN support may face access restrictions.

SHIFT UP is actively working on this, stating they 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 PC and PS5 versions will offer the same content, ensuring "early buyers are never at a disadvantage through future updates."

Fans value the developer's efforts to address these concerns, though a preference for a DRM-free game without PSN restrictions remains. Stellar Blade's PC version is slated for release on June 11 on Steam. Keep an eye out for further updates by checking our related articles!