Stellar Blade and it’s highly anticipated PC launch is scheduled for June 11, 2025, but players in over 130 countries have been blocked from pre-ordering the game on Steam. The restriction echoes what happened to Helldivers 2 last year, when Sony attempted to enforce a mandatory PlayStation Network (PSN) login for the PC version. That move led to the game being delisted in territories where PSN was unavailable.

Stellar Blade Devs Clarify PC Version Details, Address Region Lock and DRM Concerns “Doing Our Best to Resolve Most of It as Soon as Possible”
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Shift Up, the developers of Stellar Blade, addressed the situation and confirmed they are actively working to fix it. They stated, “We are closely discussing the region lock issue with the publisher and are doing our best to resolve most of it as soon as possible.”

Despite the concern, players can rest assured that a PSN account is not required to access the full game. The only use of PSN connectivity is for unlocking a special outfit, and the connection is entirely optional.

This has led many to speculate that the region lock may have been automatically triggered by Steam due to the optional PSN integration, even though it isn’t mandatory. The developer confirmed that both PC and PS5 versions will contain the exact same content and that they are working to restore access in blocked countries.

Denuvo DRM raises performance worries

Stellar Blade’s PC version also includes Denuvo anti-tamper software, which has become a hot topic. While Denuvo is meant to prevent piracy, it has a long-standing reputation for negatively impacting performance. Players often report lower frame rates, increased CPU usage, and longer load times in games that use it.

Shift Up responded with some technical data, claiming that Denuvo has been tuned to maintain a stable average frame rate and even boost minimum frame rates in certain situations. However, many players remain unconvinced. The conversation has now shifted from excitement over the port to skepticism about how well the game will run on PC with Denuvo included.

The bigger issue is that the use of Denuvo appears to be non-negotiable. It likely stems from Sony’s publishing agreement and is unlikely to be removed before launch. Players who object to Denuvo may avoid the game entirely unless changes are made, though this seems improbable given Sony’s history with anti-piracy measures.

PC features confirmed for Stellar Blade (Stellar Blade News)

Even with the current issues, Stellar Blade’s PC version brings several upgrades. The game will support ultra-wide monitors, unlocked frame rates, NVIDIA DLSS 4, and AMD FSR 3. DualSense controller functionality, including haptic feedback, is also included. Additionally, mod support is fully open with no restrictions.

Both the Standard and Complete Editions are now listed on Steam and Epic Games. The Complete Edition offers additional costumes and crossover content from games like Nier: Automata.

One highlight is the assurance that modding will be fully supported from day one. This has excited many players, especially those interested in customizing character models or gameplay features. Early adopters are also promised equal content access through future updates, with no version-exclusive gameplay.

Shift Up addresses backlash and looks ahead (Stellar Blade News)

Shift Up continues to communicate with players and has taken a proactive role in responding to concerns. They’ve made it clear that most issues stem from publishing limitations, not their own development decisions. The team has earned praise for transparency and staying engaged with community feedback.

Despite the controversy, Stellar Blade currently sits at #2 in global pre-order rankings on Steam. This shows the strong demand for the game and the impact of positive word-of-mouth from its original PlayStation release.

The backlash hasn’t centered on the game’s content or mechanics—it’s primarily about the surrounding distribution decisions. With the region lock likely to be resolved and mod support confirmed, many are hoping that Sony will eventually reconsider the Denuvo requirement as well.