After much anticipation, PlayStation has officially announced that Shift Up's action game Stellar Blade will be making its way to PC platforms next year. The game, which initially launched as a PlayStation 5 exclusive, will allow PC gamers to join protagonist Eve in her mission to defend Earth starting June 11, 2025. However, the excitement has been somewhat dampened by reports of regional availability issues affecting potential players in numerous countries.
Official Announcement Details
PlayStation has officially confirmed the PC release date for Stellar Blade following an accidental leak earlier this week. In a detailed PlayStation Blog post, Shift Up's chief technical officer and the game's technical director, DongKi Lee, provided comprehensive information about what PC players can expect. The game will be available on both Steam and the Epic Games Store, offering various graphical settings to accommodate different hardware configurations. Additionally, the PC version will support ultra-wide monitors and feature an unlocked frame rate, allowing players with powerful systems to maximize visual fidelity.
Technical Requirements
Shift Up has outlined four tiers of system requirements for the PC version, ranging from minimum to very high specifications. For a basic 1080p experience at 60fps with low graphics settings, players will need at least an Intel Core i5-7600K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600X CPU, paired with either an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580 GPU, and 16GB of RAM. Those aiming for the ultimate experience at 4K resolution with very high graphics settings will need significantly more powerful hardware, including an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT. Storage requirements remain consistent across all tiers at 75GB, with an SSD recommended even for minimum specifications.
PC System Requirements for Stellar Blade
| Tier | Performance | Graphics | CPU | GPU | RAM | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | 1080p @ 60fps | Low | Intel Core i5-7600K / AMD Ryzen 5 1600X | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB / AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB | 16GB | 75GB HDD (SSD Recommended) |
| Recommended | 1440p @ 60fps | Medium | Intel Core i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Super / AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT | 16GB | 75GB SSD |
| High | 1440p @ 60fps | High | Intel Core i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super / AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT | 16GB | 75GB SSD |
| Very High | 4K @ 60fps | Very High | Intel Core i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 / AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT | 16GB | 75GB SSD |
Regional Availability Concerns
Despite the excitement surrounding the announcement, a significant issue has emerged regarding regional availability. According to reports, Stellar Blade is currently showing as unavailable for pre-order in 129 countries and territories on Steam. This situation bears a striking resemblance to the problems that plagued Helldivers 2 last year, which was related to PlayStation Network account requirements. Interestingly, the affected regions largely overlap with countries where PSN services are not officially supported, suggesting a similar underlying issue.
Key Features of Stellar Blade PC Release
- Release Date: June 11, 2025
- Platforms: Steam and Epic Games Store
- Features: Ultra-wide monitor support, unlocked frame rate
- Editions: Standard and Complete Edition (with additional outfits and in-game currency)
- Steam Deck: Verified compatible
- DRM: Includes Denuvo
- Regional Availability: Currently showing as unavailable in 129 countries
Developer Confusion
In a surprising twist, Shift Up appears to have been caught off guard by these regional restrictions. The developer has responded to user complaints with apparent confusion, stating that The PC version of Stellar Blade does not require a PSN account and asking affected users about their location. This suggests a potential disconnect between Shift Up and publisher Sony regarding the implementation of regional restrictions or account requirements, raising questions about whether this issue will be resolved before the game's launch.
Additional Considerations
Beyond regional availability, PC players should note that Stellar Blade will implement Denuvo digital rights management software. While this controversial DRM solution often faces criticism from the gaming community, Shift Up has assured potential customers that there will be no performance degradation due to DRM, claiming that even lower-end systems will be able to run the game smoothly.
Release Editions
When Stellar Blade launches on PC next June, players will have options regarding which version to purchase. Beyond the standard edition, a Complete Edition will also be available, featuring additional content such as outfits and in-game currency. The game has also received Steam Deck verification, confirming compatibility with Valve's portable gaming device for those who prefer gaming on the go.
With just over a year until release, there's still time for Sony and Shift Up to address the regional availability concerns. Given the backlash Sony faced with Helldivers 2, many industry observers expect these issues to be resolved well before Stellar Blade's PC debut to avoid similar controversy. PC gamers around the world will be watching closely as the June 2025 release date approaches.