Stellar Blade Tackles DRM and Region Lock Before PC Launch

Stellar Blade's upcoming PC release has sparked discussions about Digital Rights Management (DRM) and region lock issues, with developer SHIFT UP taking steps to address these concerns directly. Let's delve into how these aspects might affect your gaming experience and what SHIFT UP plans to do about them.

Stellar Blade PC Updates

SHIFT UP Addressed DRM Concerns

As Stellar Blade gears up for its PC debut, SHIFT UP has tackled the contentious topic of DRM, specifically Denuvo. In a May 17th X (formerly Twitter) post, they explained that "DRM has been hard tuned to maintain the same average frame rate, with even higher minimum frames in some cases." Denuvo, a widely debated anti-tamper technology, aims to curb piracy but has been criticized for its potential impact on game performance.

SHIFT UP's performance tests show that Stellar Blade runs with comparable metrics whether Denuvo is enabled or not. They recorded nearly identical average, minimum, maximum, 1% low, and 0.1% low frame rates. Furthermore, the game fully supports mods without any restrictions, which is often a concern with DRM-protected titles. While fans appreciate this transparency, many still voice a preference for a DRM-free version to enhance accessibility.

Region Lock Issues

Another significant concern revolves around region lock issues tied to the PlayStation Network (PSN). Despite Stellar Blade not requiring a PSN connection, some global regions lacking PSN support will be unable to access the game. This affects over 130 countries worldwide.

SHIFT UP is actively engaging with their publisher to address these region lock concerns, stating they are "doing our BEST to resolve most of it as soon as possible." They assure fans that both the PC and PS5 versions will offer identical content, ensuring that "early buyers are never at a disadvantage through future updates."

While fans commend SHIFT UP's proactive communication, 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 on Steam. Stay tuned for more updates by checking out our article below!