Stellar Blade's developer has taken proactive steps to address fan concerns about Digital Rights Management (DRM) and region-locking ahead of the game's PC release. Here's a detailed look at how these issues are being managed and what players can expect.
Stellar Blade PC Updates
SHIFT UP Addressed DRM Concerns
Stellar Blade is set to launch on PC, and developer SHIFT UP has responded to community worries about the implementation of Denuvo, a form of DRM. On May 17, via a post on X (formerly Twitter), SHIFT UP clarified that "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 prevent unauthorized copying and distribution of games, which can sometimes lead to performance issues. Denuvo, in particular, has been a contentious topic among gamers due to its potential impact on game performance.
SHIFT UP conducted extensive performance testing and shared results showing that the game's performance metrics, including average, minimum, maximum, 1% low, and 0.1% low framerates, remain virtually unchanged whether DRM is enabled or disabled. This transparency has been well-received by the community, although many fans expressed a preference for the complete removal of Denuvo to enhance the game's accessibility.
Moreover, SHIFT UP confirmed that Stellar Blade will fully support mods without any restrictions, a feature often limited by DRM in other games.
Region Lock Issues
Another pressing issue for fans is the potential region lock affecting the PC version due to its association with PlayStation. Even though Stellar Blade does not require a connection to the PlayStation Network (PSN), some regions that do not support PSN will still be unable to access the game. Currently, over 130 countries are unsupported by PSN.
SHIFT UP has stated 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 the PC and PS5 versions will deliver the same content, ensuring "early buyers are never at a disadvantage through future updates."
While the community appreciates SHIFT UP's efforts to address these concerns, there remains a strong desire for a game free from both DRM and the limitations imposed by PSN region locks. Stellar Blade's PC version is slated for release on June 11 on Steam. For the latest updates on the game, be sure to check our dedicated articles.
