🔍 Summary:
The upcoming PC release of “Stellar Blade” by Korean developer Shift Up has encountered significant distribution challenges, as it is currently blocked from being sold in 129 countries on Steam. This issue persists despite Sony’s policy change that no longer requires a PlayStation Network (PSN) account to play its PC games. Shift Up has expressed surprise over these restrictions and is actively seeking resolutions.
Additionally, there has been concern among gamers regarding the inclusion of Denuvo anti-piracy software in “Stellar Blade,” which is often criticized for potentially degrading game performance. However, Shift Up has released frame rate charts to demonstrate that Denuvo does not impact the game’s performance, even on lower-end systems. They remain optimistic about the game’s success on PC, anticipating it to eventually outsell the PS5 version.
The game, set to release on June 11, 2025, will feature optional PSN-linked content but does not require a PSN account for gameplay. This release strategy aims to broaden the game’s accessibility and appeal, although the regional sales blockages and DRM concerns continue to pose challenges.