Tag: Denuvo

  • Denuvo Removed from InZOI Before Early Access Due to Backlash

    Denuvo Removed from InZOI Before Early Access Due to Backlash

    Key Takeaways

    1. Majority of gamers favor InZOI, but concerns arise over Denuvo’s impact on performance.
    2. Denuvo’s presence was not disclosed on the game’s Steam page, causing player frustration.
    3. The Producer and Director announced that Denuvo will be removed from the early access version.
    4. Director Hyungjun ‘Kjun’ Kim acknowledged the backlash and regret for not informing players about Denuvo’s inclusion.
    5. InZOI plans to release new cosmetics and significant DLC every three months after early access launch.


    While a majority of gamers have shown a favorable reaction to InZOI, the emergence of Denuvo has sparked some worries. This anti-piracy tool has been known to be effective, but it can affect a game’s performance based on how it is applied. Additionally, the publisher did not mention its presence on the game’s Steam page, causing further frustration among players. Thankfully, the Producer and Director of InZOI have announced that Denuvo will be removed from the early access version.

    Concerns About Denuvo

    A moderator from the Steam Denuvo Games Group discovered that the game was communicating with a domain associated with the anti-piracy software. Just days prior to the InZOI release, the development team confirmed its inclusion in the game. However, the silver lining for gamers is that it won’t be part of the game’s code for an extended period.

    Director’s Response on Discord

    Hyungjun ‘Kjun’ Kim took to Discord to address the backlash regarding Denuvo. He expressed regret for incorporating the DRM without informing players. While he hasn’t confirmed if Denuvo will make a comeback in future updates, it appears that it won’t be present during the early access phase.

    Kjun hinted that the removal of Denuvo might increase the risk of pirated versions of InZOI. Nevertheless, he is optimistic that this move will foster endless custom content, with official mod support anticipated in May. By eliminating the protection, it prevents any disruption to these creations. Additionally, some consumers tend to shy away from games featuring Denuvo, claiming that it harms performance. As Kjun pointed out, attracting as many players as possible to invest in the game will aid its long-term viability.

    Future Plans for DLC

    If InZOI follows a trajectory similar to The Sims 4, the downloadable content (DLC) could generate more revenue for Krafton than the initial release. Following the early access launch on March 28, developers intend to introduce new cosmetics and items every three months. Players can also look forward to at least one significant DLC during the testing phase. However, as it stands, this content is included in the $40 price of the early access version.

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  • Denuvo’s Impact: How DRM Boosts Early Game Revenue by 20%

    Denuvo’s Impact: How DRM Boosts Early Game Revenue by 20%

    A recent research done by William M. Volckmann II at the University of North Carolina shows the financial impact that Denuvo DRM cracks can have on revenue from PC games. The study, named "The Revenue Effects of Denuvo Digital Rights Management on PC Video Games," discovered that piracy can lead to an average total revenue drop of 20 percent when Denuvo gets cracked shortly after a game’s launch.

    Importance of Protecting Game Releases

    This highlights how crucial it is for game publishers to safeguard their titles during those vital first weeks following release. To counteract possible revenue losses, companies might enhance their protections by combining Denuvo with other DRM technologies. However, gamers frequently express concerns regarding the potential performance problems and lack of optimization that can arise.

    Long-Term Use of Denuvo

    Interestingly, the study indicates that there isn’t much benefit in utilizing Denuvo for a long time, particularly past three months. Volckmann discovered that when a game was cracked after week 12 or when publishers removed Denuvo after this initial stage, there was virtually no total revenue loss on average. He advises publishers to abandon DRM after this period, recognizing that gamers are sensitive to the "negative technical side effects" associated with Denuvo.

    Short-Term Strategy for Game Publishers

    While publishers may be lured by Denuvo’s capacity to preserve up to 20 percent of revenue in the first 12 weeks—minus the costs of the DRM service—the study did not reveal any dependable way to forecast how long the protection will actually last. Volckmann pointed out that the features of a game don’t effectively predict its likelihood of being cracked, as long as cracking groups show interest.

    The results imply that publishers might gain from short-term Denuvo contracts, cutting costs by removing the DRM after those initial 12 weeks. In contrast, longer DRM agreements appear to be a less efficient investment.