Stellar Blade PC: Fixing DRM, Region Lock Issues

Stellar Blade's developer has responded to player concerns regarding DRM implementation and regional access restrictions as the game prepares for its PC debut. Here's what you need to know about these technical considerations and the team's plans to address them.

Stellar Blade PC Development Updates

SHIFT UP Clarifies DRM Implementation

As Stellar Blade prepares for its PC launch, developer SHIFT UP has directly addressed community questions about the inclusion of Denuvo anti-tamper technology. In a May 17th social media post, the studio explained they've "optimized the DRM implementation to maintain identical average frame rates, with potential improvements to minimum frame rates in certain scenarios."

Denuvo has long been a contentious topic in PC gaming circles, with players expressing concerns about potential performance impacts. However, SHIFT UP shared comparative performance data showing virtually identical frame rate metrics between DRM-protected and unprotected versions across all measured parameters.

Notably, the developers confirmed full mod support without restrictions - a rarity for games implementing DRM solutions. While fans appreciated the transparency, many still expressed hope for a DRM-free version in the future to ensure maximum accessibility.

Regional Accessibility Challenges

Another accessibility issue stems from PlayStation Network service limitations. Despite not requiring PSN connectivity, the game remains unavailable in over 130 countries where PlayStation's online services aren't officially supported.

SHIFT UP acknowledged the concern, stating they're "actively working with our publishing partners to resolve as many region lock restrictions as possible." The studio emphasized parity between PC and PS5 versions, assuring players that "no content advantages will be given to early adopters through subsequent updates."

While players appreciated the developer's direct engagement, many continue advocating for complete removal of both DRM and regional restrictions. The PC version launches on Steam on June 11th. For ongoing updates about Stellar Blade's development, check our additional coverage below.