The developer of Stellar Blade has addressed concerns about the game's DRM and region lock restrictions. Continue reading to understand how DRM impacts the game and the team's approach to the region lock situation.
PC Version Updates for Stellar Blade
DRM Concerns Addressed by SHIFT UP
Stellar Blade is coming to PC, and developer SHIFT UP has responded to fan worries about the inclusion of Denuvo (DRM). In a May 17 post on X (formerly Twitter), they confirmed that "DRM has been finely calibrated to sustain the average frame rate, and in some cases, achieve even higher minimum frame rates."
DRM is an anti-tamper technology used by publishers to block illegal copying and distribution, making it challenging for pirates to release cracked versions. The use of Denuvo has long been a contentious topic, with many reports suggesting it can impact game performance.
However, SHIFT UP shared their performance test results comparing the game with and without DRM. Their data showed nearly identical figures across average frame rate, minimum frame rate, peak frame rate, and 1% and 0.1% lows.
Furthermore, the game allows mods without any limitations, which can sometimes be restricted in DRM-protected titles. Fans praised the studio for being open about the topic, though many still hope the developer will remove Denuvo entirely to improve accessibility.
Region Lock Challenges
Another point of discussion for Stellar Blade's PC launch is the region lock imposed by PlayStation. Although the game does not require a PlayStation Network (PSN) connection, players in regions without PSN support will not be able to access the title. Currently, PSN is unavailable in over 130 countries.
SHIFT UP stated they are "actively discussing the region lock issue with our publishing partner and working hard to resolve most of the restrictions as quickly as possible." They confirmed that both the PC and PS5 editions will feature the same content, ensuring "early buyers will not be at a disadvantage in future updates."
Even with this reassuring response, the community continues to express the desire for a DRM-free game without PSN limitations. The PC edition of Stellar Blade is scheduled to launch on Steam on June 11. For the most recent updates, be sure to read our follow-up article below!
