Stellar Blade, initially a PlayStation exclusive, is officially coming to PC in 2025! This article details the release date announcement and potential implications for PC players.
Stellar Blade's 2025 PC Launch: A PSN Connection?
Following speculation sparked by SHIFT UP's CFO, the developers have confirmed a PC release for Stellar Blade in 2025. This decision reflects the growing PC gaming market and the success of similar titles. While a precise release date is pending, SHIFT UP plans to maintain the game's popularity through initiatives like a NieR: Automata collaboration DLC (releasing November 20th), a Photo Mode, and ongoing marketing.
The PC port joins a trend of PlayStation exclusives migrating to PC, but this trend also raises concerns. Because Stellar Blade is published by Sony Interactive Entertainment and SHIFT UP is a second-party developer for Sony, there's a strong likelihood that PC players will need to link their Steam accounts to their PlayStation Network (PSN) accounts. This would exclude players in regions without PSN access.
Sony cites the need to ensure "safe" live-service gameplay as justification, a rationale that's questioned given its application to single-player titles.
However, the IP's ownership by SHIFT UP raises the possibility that PSN linking might not be mandatory. Nevertheless, such a requirement could negatively impact PC sales, potentially hindering SHIFT UP's goal of surpassing console sales.
The need for a PSN account remains unconfirmed. For further information on Stellar Blade's initial release, a review is available (link omitted).
