Stellar Blade PC Release Blocked in Over 120 Countries: What’s Going On?

Stellar Blade’s PC Release: A Surprise Block on Steam and a Glimpse into the Gaming Industry’s Trends

The gaming world is abuzz with the news of Stellar Blade’s PC release, but a surprise twist has left fans and developers alike scratching their heads. The game, which is set to launch on June 11th, has been blocked on Steam in over 120 countries, a move that has caught even the game’s developer, Shift Up, off guard.

The Block on Steam: A Repeat of History?

The block on Steam is reminiscent of the controversy surrounding Helldivers 2, which was review-bombed last year after it required a PSN account to play. The backlash was so severe that the game was pulled from sale in 177 countries. While Stellar Blade’s developer has assured fans that a PSN account is not required to play the game, the inclusion of a free bonus costume for those who link their PSN account to Steam has raised eyebrows.

The PC Market: A Growing Force in the Gaming Industry

Shift Up’s financial report from February highlights the growing importance of the PC market in the gaming industry. The company expects the PC version of Stellar Blade to exceed console sales, citing the higher market share of PC devices in the AAA game market. This trend is particularly evident in the Asian gaming industry, where the single-player action game market is experiencing significant growth.

The PC Specs: A Glimpse into the Game’s Technical Requirements

For those eager to dive into Stellar Blade on PC, the game’s technical requirements are as follows:

  • Operating System: Windows 10 (64-bit)
  • Processor: Intel Core i5-11600K or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
  • Memory: 16 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
  • Storage: 50 GB available space

Actionable Insights and Takeaways

  1. The PC market is a growing force in the gaming industry: Shift Up’s financial report highlights the importance of the PC market, and Stellar Blade’s PC release is a testament to this trend.
  2. The inclusion of Denuvo has raised concerns: The inclusion of Denuvo, a digital rights management tool, has raised concerns among some fans. However, it’s worth noting that Denuvo is a widely used tool in the gaming industry.
  3. The block on Steam is a surprise, but not unprecedented: The block on Steam is reminiscent of the controversy surrounding Helldivers 2, and it’s clear that the gaming industry is still grappling with the implications of requiring PSN accounts to play certain games.

Conclusion

Stellar Blade’s PC release is a significant event in the gaming industry, and the block on Steam has raised important questions about the role of PSN accounts in gaming. As the industry continues to evolve, it’s clear that the PC market will play an increasingly important role. Whether you’re a fan of Stellar Blade or simply interested in the gaming industry’s trends, this news is a must-read.

Summary

Stellar Blade’s PC release is set to launch on June 11th, but the game has been blocked on Steam in over 120 countries. The block is a surprise, but not unprecedented, and it highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding PSN accounts in gaming. The PC market is a growing force in the industry, and Stellar Blade’s technical requirements offer a glimpse into the game’s technical requirements.