Stellar Blade DRM, Region Lock Concerns Resolved Before PC Launch

Stellar Blade's developer has proactively tackled fan concerns about the game's DRM and region lock issues ahead of its much-anticipated PC release. Delve deeper into how these elements might impact your gaming experience and what steps are being taken to address them.

Stellar Blade PC Updates

SHIFT UP Addressed DRM Concerns

Stellar Blade is gearing up for its PC debut, and developer SHIFT UP has been forthcoming about the inclusion of Denuvo, a form of DRM (Digital Rights Management). In a recent update shared on Twitter (X) on May 17, SHIFT UP reassured fans that "DRM has been meticulously tuned to maintain the same average frame rate, and in some scenarios, even boost the minimum frame rates."

DRM, particularly Denuvo, is designed to thwart unauthorized duplication and distribution of games, complicating the efforts of those looking to pirate or crack games. Despite its utility, Denuvo's presence in games often sparks debate due to potential performance impacts.

SHIFT UP conducted thorough performance tests, comparing the game's performance with and without DRM. Their findings indicate virtually no difference in average framerate, minimum framerate, maximum framerate, 1% low framerate, and 0.1% low framerate. This level of transparency has been well-received by the community, though many still express a desire for a DRM-free version to enhance accessibility.

Moreover, Stellar Blade supports mods without any restrictions, which is often a point of contention in games protected by DRM. This move has been applauded by fans, appreciating the game's openness to modifications.

Region Lock Issues

In addition to DRM, fans are also concerned about region lock issues tied to PlayStation's policies. Even though Stellar Blade does not necessitate a PlayStation Network (PSN) connection for PC play, certain global regions without PSN support will be unable to access the game. Currently, over 130 countries are unsupported by PSN.

SHIFT UP is actively working on this issue, 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 have committed to ensuring that both the PC and PS5 versions of Stellar Blade will feature identical content, promising that "early buyers are never at a disadvantage through future updates."

While the community values SHIFT UP's responsiveness, there remains a preference for a game free from both DRM and the constraints imposed by PSN. Stellar Blade's PC version is slated for release on June 11 via Steam. Stay updated with the latest news by checking out our related articles below!