Stellar Blade's Arrival on PC: Anticipated in 2025
Stellar Blade is Coming to PC in 2025: A PlayStation Exclusive Makes the Leap
Initially released as a PlayStation exclusive in April, the action-packed sci-fi title Stellar Blade is officially headed to PC in 2025! This announcement follows earlier speculation and confirms the developer SHIFT UP's plans for platform expansion.
The PC Port and the PSN Question
SHIFT UP's confirmation came in response to investor inquiries regarding Stellar Blade's future platforms. The developer cited the booming PC gaming market and the success of titles like Black Myth: Wukong as key factors driving their decision. While a specific release date remains unannounced, SHIFT UP aims to maintain the game's momentum through ongoing marketing and the upcoming November 20th release of a NieR: Automata collaboration DLC and a much-requested Photo Mode.
However, the PC release introduces a potential hurdle. As a Sony-published title with SHIFT UP operating as a second-party developer for Sony, a PSN account link for Steam may be required. This raises concerns for players in regions lacking PSN access, potentially limiting the game's reach.
This requirement, justified by Sony as a measure to ensure secure live-service gameplay, has been applied to other PlayStation exclusives ported to PC, sparking debate about its necessity for single-player experiences. While the Horizon series also faces this restriction, the IP ownership by SHIFT UP might offer a possibility of avoiding this PSN requirement for Stellar Blade on PC. However, this remains uncertain. The need for a PSN account could significantly impact the game's PC sales potential.
The uncertainty surrounding the PSN requirement highlights a growing trend of PlayStation exclusives moving to PC, expanding their audience but also raising questions about accessibility and platform restrictions. SHIFT UP aims for PC sales to surpass console sales, but the PSN link could be a major factor in achieving that goal. For more on Stellar Blade's initial launch, be sure to check out our in-depth review.
