Stellar Blade DRM, Region Lock Issues Resolved Before PC Launch

The anticipation for the PC release of Stellar Blade has been met with concerns regarding Digital Rights Management (DRM) and region lock issues. Developer SHIFT UP has taken a proactive approach to address these concerns, ensuring fans are well-informed about what to expect when the game hits PC on June 11.

SHIFT UP Addressed DRM Concerns

In preparation for the PC release, SHIFT UP has tackled the contentious topic of Denuvo, a form of DRM often criticized for impacting game performance. On May 17, through a post on Twitter (X), the developer clarified that they have "hard tuned" the DRM to maintain the same average frame rate, with some cases even showing higher minimum frames. This statement aims to reassure players that the inclusion of Denuvo will not detract from their gaming experience.

DRM, or Digital Rights Management, is used by companies to combat piracy and unauthorized distribution of their games. Despite its intended purpose, Denuvo has been a point of contention due to claims of performance degradation. SHIFT UP's performance checks, however, show that the game's frame rates remain consistent whether DRM is enabled or not. This includes average, minimum, maximum, 1% low, and 0.1% low frame rates.

Furthermore, SHIFT UP has ensured that Stellar Blade fully supports mods without any restrictions, a feature often limited in games with DRM. The developer's transparency has been well-received by the community, though many fans continue to express a preference for a version without Denuvo to enhance accessibility.

Region Lock Issues

Another significant concern for fans is the region lock issue tied to the PlayStation Network (PSN). Despite Stellar Blade not requiring a PSN connection, certain regions where PSN is not supported will be unable to access the game. Currently, over 130 countries fall into this category.

SHIFT UP is actively working to resolve these issues, 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 also assured that both PC and PS5 versions will offer identical content, ensuring no disadvantage to early buyers through future updates.

While the community appreciates SHIFT UP's efforts to address these concerns, there remains a desire for a DRM-free game and broader access without PSN restrictions. Stellar Blade's PC version is scheduled for release on June 11 on Steam. For the latest updates and more information about the game, be sure to check out our article below!