Stellar Blade DRM, Region Lock Issues Resolved Before PC Launch

Stellar Blade's developer has proactively addressed fan concerns about the game's use of DRM and potential region-locking ahead of its much-anticipated PC release. Dive deeper to understand how these issues impact the game and what measures 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 taken to Twitter (now X) on May 17 to clarify their approach to DRM. They stated that "DRM has been fine-tuned to maintain the same average frame rate, with even higher minimum frames in some cases."

DRM, or Digital Rights Management, is a tool used to combat piracy by preventing unauthorized copying and distribution of games. The use of Denuvo, a popular DRM solution, has sparked controversy due to its potential impact on game performance. However, SHIFT UP's performance tests demonstrated negligible differences in frame rates whether the game was run with or without DRM. Their detailed metrics included average, minimum, maximum, 1% low, and 0.1% low frame rates, all showing consistent results.

Importantly, SHIFT UP confirmed that Stellar Blade fully supports modding without any restrictions—a feature often hindered by DRM. While fans appreciate the transparency, many expressed a preference for a DRM-free experience to enhance accessibility.

Region Lock Issues

Another pressing issue for fans is the region lock situation linked to PlayStation Network (PSN) access. Despite Stellar Blade not requiring a PSN connection, the game's availability will be restricted in over 130 countries where PSN is unsupported.

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 assured fans that both PC and PS5 versions will deliver identical content, ensuring that "early buyers are never at a disadvantage through future updates."

While fans are grateful for the developer's efforts to address these concerns, there remains a strong desire for a game free from both DRM and PSN-related restrictions. Stellar Blade's PC version is slated for release on June 11 via Steam. Stay tuned for further updates by checking out our related article below!