Stellar Blade is preparing for its PC release with several improvements, though like other Sony-published titles, it comes with geographic limitations. Discover what bonus content is included and how this affects players in regions without PSN availability.
Stellar Blade's PC Launch: The Positives and Negatives
The Positive: Free Upgrade Brings New Content to PS5 Players
Shift Up's visually striking action RPG Stellar Blade is expanding to PC with numerous enhancements. Yet the transition hasn't been seamless, with Sony accidentally leaking trailer details and unexpected regional lockouts that seem to have caught even the developers off guard.
Before the official reveal on May 15, eagle-eyed fans spotted an early trailer on PlayStation's YouTube channel that disclosed the PC version's launch date. Though quickly removed, the information had already spread across gaming forums and social media.
PlayStation 5 users will receive all the new PC content through a complimentary update. Technical director DongKi Lee outlined these improvements in a PlayStation Blog post, which include:
- NVIDIA DLSS 4 and AMD FSR 3 upscaling support
- Uncapped framerates beyond 120 FPS
- Ultrawide monitor support (5:4 to 32:9 aspect ratios)
- Enhanced textures and full keyboard/mouse customization
- DualSense controller features with haptic feedback
- Additional Japanese and Chinese voiceovers
PC players will encounter new gameplay elements like a battle against Sentinel leader Mann, plus 25 fresh outfits for protagonist Eve. These updates will simultaneously arrive on PS5 through the free patch.
The Negative: Geographic Restrictions and DRM Concerns
While the PC version brings technical upgrades, its launch faces complications. SteamDB data shows the game remains unavailable in over 100 territories, with many blocked regions coinciding with areas lacking PSN infrastructure.
Though Shift Up clarified that Steam-PSN linking isn't required for Stellar Blade, the extensive bans suggest Sony's involvement. This puzzling situation even appeared to surprise the developers, based on their social media responses.
When questioned about regional availability, the official Stellar Blade account responded: "The PC version doesn't need PSN. Could you share your location?" accompanied by a surprised emoji. Similar inquiries received nearly identical replies, indicating possible unpreparedness for these limitations.
Adding to player frustrations is the inclusion of Denuvo anti-tamper technology, often criticized for potential performance impacts. However, developers assured players through testing showed stable frame rates across various hardware configurations, including 45-50 FPS on Steam Deck with optimized settings.
As June 11 approaches, players await possible updates regarding these access restrictions. The situation mirrors previous controversies like Helldivers 2, where Sony ultimately reversed its PSN requirements following community backlash.
