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Shift Up has opened up regarding the unexpected region lock that stirred up controversy before the Stellar Blade PC release. Originally set to launch on Steam on June 12, fans were blindsided when the game was restricted in over 120 countries without any official explanation from the developers.
🔸️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.
🔸️As shown in the test chart below, the DRM has been hard tuned to maintain the same average frame rate, with even higher minimum frames in… pic.twitter.com/JDimvKiKte— StellarBlade (@StellarBlade) May 16, 2025
Based on a short statement posted on X, Shift Up acknowledged the issue and stated that they are in active discussions with PlayStation to resolve it. While details remain scarce, the studio assured fans that they’re doing everything possible to ensure the game is accessible in as many regions as possible on launch day. Further updates will be shared once there is a concrete outcome from the ongoing talks.
The situation gained even more traction when players discovered the game would ship with Denuvo, a controversial DRM system often criticized for impacting performance. However, Shift Up was quick to respond, releasing performance charts to ease concerns. According to the developer, Denuvo has been carefully optimized for Stellar Blade, maintaining a stable average frame rate, with minimum FPS even exceeding expectations in some cases. They’re confident that players won’t experience any noticeable performance drops.
Additionally, Shift Up confirmed two key points that should reassure the community: modding on the PC version will be fully supported without restrictions, and linking a PlayStation Network (PSN) account is completely optional. This clarification is especially important in the wake of the Helldivers 2 controversy, which faced massive backlash and was delisted in 177 countries due to mandatory PSN login requirements.
Thankfully, Stellar Blade seems to be avoiding a similar fate, with the developer taking a more flexible and player-friendly approach as launch day approaches.
To keep track of all the updated developments of Stellar Blade, visit their official website. Additionally, interested fans can read our written review here to gain a better understanding.
