Stellar Blade is poised to make its mark on PC with a range of exciting enhancements, but its launch comes with some caveats. As a Sony-backed title, it faces regional restrictions that could impact players in certain countries. Let's delve into the game's bonus content and explore the implications for regions without PSN access.
The Good: PS5 Players Get Free Update with New Content and Features
Stellar Blade, the visually stunning action RPG developed by Shift Up, is expanding its horizons with a PC release that promises numerous enhancements. However, the path to PC has been rocky, with Sony inadvertently leaking the game's trailer and unexpected regional restrictions that even surprised the developers.
Before the official announcement on May 15, Sony prematurely uploaded a trailer to the PlayStation YouTube channel, revealing crucial details about the PC version, including its release date. Although the trailer was quickly removed, the internet ensured its information spread far and wide.
Shift Up has confirmed that PlayStation 5 players will also enjoy the new content introduced with the PC release. In a detailed PlayStation Blog post, Shift Up’s technical director, DongKi Lee, outlined the enhancements coming to both platforms. These include support for NVIDIA DLSS 4 and AMD FSR 3 upscaling, unlocked framerates surpassing 120 FPS, and ultrawide aspect ratio compatibility ranging from 5:4 to 32:9. Players can also look forward to high-resolution textures, full keyboard and mouse remapping, DualSense controller support with haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, and additional voiceover options in Japanese and Chinese.
The PC version introduces new content such as a boss battle against Mann, the leader of the Sentinels, and 25 additional costumes for protagonist Eve. This content will be available to PlayStation 5 users through a free update on the same day as the PC release.
The Bad: Stellar Blade PC Launch Marred by Regional Restrictions and Denuvo DRM
While PS5 players receive a bonus, the PC launch of Stellar Blade has been overshadowed by significant regional restrictions and the inclusion of Denuvo DRM. According to SteamDB, the game is currently unavailable for purchase on Steam in over 100 countries.
Shift Up has clarified that players do not need to connect their Steam profiles with their PlayStation Network (PSN) accounts to play the RPG. However, there's a notable overlap between the countries where Stellar Blade is blocked on Steam and regions without PSN services. Many fans believe Sony, the game's publisher, is behind these restrictions.
The widespread regional blocks seem to stem from Sony's strategy for PC game releases and PSN integration. Sony has been porting more PlayStation exclusives to PC to reach a broader audience, but this expansion often requires players to link their Steam profiles to their PSN accounts. This is not a problem in countries with PSN access but poses challenges in regions where the service is not available.
Sony's Chief Financial Officer, Hiroki Totoki, justified this requirement during the November 2024 Investor Call, stating it ensures players can "safely" enjoy live-service games. This rationale makes sense for titles like Helldivers 2, but it raises questions about its application to single-player games like Stellar Blade and the Horizon series.
The extent of these blocks has surprised many, including the developers themselves. When asked about the game's unavailability in certain regions, the Stellar Blade official X account responded, "The PC version of Stellar Blade does not require a PSN account. May I ask where you live?" accompanied by a "face screaming in fear" emoji. Similar responses were given to other inquiries.
This situation echoes the backlash against Helldivers 2's PSN requirement, which led to numerous negative reviews and forced Sony to reverse its policy.
Moreover, the inclusion of Denuvo, a controversial anti-piracy technology, has raised concerns among PC gamers due to its potential impact on performance and restrictions on game use. However, the official Stellar Blade X account reassured players, stating, "After extensive testing and relentless optimization, the game delivers high frame rates on a variety of setups. Even on the Steam Deck, you can reach 45-50 FPS with the right settings!"
As the PC release date of Stellar Blade approaches, fans eagerly await how Sony and Shift Up will address these issues. Whether or not June 11 will see Stellar Blade free from these restrictions remains to be seen. For more updates on Stellar Blade, keep an eye on our site.
