Stellar Blade’s anticipated arrival on PC has stirred excitement among gamers, particularly because it does not mandate a PlayStation Network (PSN) account for access. However, this enthusiasm is tempered by the realization that the game is subject to the same region-locking limitations that have affected other recent ports of PlayStation titles. The rationale behind Sony’s continued imposition of these restrictions remains a mystery, leaving developers at Shift Up equally perplexed.
Region Locking Concerns
According to data from SteamDB, Stellar Blade is inaccessible on Steam in over 100 countries. This has led to frustration among potential players, as illustrated by one user’s tweet expressing disappointment after preparing to purchase the game only to find it banned in their country due to the absence of a PSN account. In response, the official account of Shift Up has been engaging with users on Twitter, often asking for their locations to better understand the situation.
The controversy surrounding region-locking is not new; it previously sparked heated discussions regarding Helldivers 2, where initial PSN requirements raised concerns about accessibility in regions lacking PSN support. Although the account requirement was eventually discarded, the region lock remained intact, mirroring the restrictions seen with Stellar Blade.
While Sony has largely moved away from enforcing PSN requirements for its PC games, opting instead to provide bonus unlockables for those who link their accounts, the region-locking issue persists. This trend is evident in several of the publisher’s recent PC releases, including notable titles such as The Last of Us 2 Remastered, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and Lego Horizon Adventures. As it stands, it appears that Stellar Blade will follow suit, continuing the pattern of region restrictions that have left many players in limbo.
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