Tag: Denuvo

  • Resident Evil Requiem Has Its Performance Boosted by Denuvo Crack Amid DRM Threats

    Resident Evil Requiem Has Its Performance Boosted by Denuvo Crack Amid DRM Threats

    Key Takeaway

    1. Irdeto’s DRM software, including Denuvo, has been swiftly bypassed, with a cracked version of Resident Evil Requiem surfacing just over 5 weeks after release.
    2. The hypervisor bypass method complicates DRM removal but may expose users to security risks and becomes easier to implement over time.
    3. Cracked versions often improve game performance and reduce system resource strain, highlighting drawbacks of DRM on system efficiency.
    4. The quick defeat of Denuvo suggests a potential shift in the effectiveness of anti-piracy measures for newer game releases.

    The Rise of Cracked DRM and Its Impact

    Denuvo has famously protected many big games from pirates but now folks are claiming it ain’t as invincible as once thought. It’s kinda wild how just over a month after the launch of Resident Evil Requiem, a cracked version was already surfacing online. Not just that, but testing shows that Denuvo might be slowing down your game’s performance too. Everyone’s talking about how these anti-piracy measures might be more trouble than they’re worth.

    The Speed of the Crack

    What makes this situation even more interesting is how quick it all happened. Usually, hackers spend months or even years cracking old games, but this time it was done way faster. A recent report talks about how hacker groups like voices38 have sped up the process a lot. They’ve even created tools that work across different titles, making it easier to bypass protections like Denuvo and Irdeto’s DRM. If companies don’t act fast, new releases like RE9 could be targeted too, making piracy even more widespread.

    Methods of Circumventing Security

    One way hackers bypass these protections is through hypervisor exploits. Instead of hacking code directly, they trick the system into thinking the game has the right permissions. This tech pushes the boundaries, but it’s not without risks. Gamers might need to tweak their Windows settings, which could expose them to potential threats. And, from what I’ve seen, it looks like hacking this way might only become easier over time, making the security even less reliable.

    Performance and Resource Drain

    Another thing, Denuvo’s not just about preventing piracy, it also messes with game performance. Some players have noticed that turning the DRM off can increase FPS by around 5%. YouTuber ChillyWillMD even measured that removing it reduces system memory usage and frees up VRAM. The result? Games run smoother in some scenes, especially when heavy graphical effects like path tracing are used. Still, not everyone might notice the difference if their system isn’t a beast, and some big companies like Capcom aren’t losing sleep since their latest game sold well already.

    Looking Ahead

    All this shows that the game piracy scene is evolving fast, with hackers finding new ways to get around even the toughest DRM protections. No doubt, we might see more cracked versions pop up shortly after new games hit the market. It’s a game of cat and mouse, but gamers and developers will probably need to adapt for the future. Companies might have to rethink their security strategies, and players will just have to stay vigilant about their system safety.

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  • Crimson Desert Performance Remains Strong Despite Denuvo Addition

    Crimson Desert Performance Remains Strong Despite Denuvo Addition

    Key Takeaways

    1. Crimson Desert is set to launch on March 19 and aims to be one of the largest open-world games ever created.
    2. Pearl Abyss has confirmed that the game will include Denuvo, a controversial DRM technology.
    3. The studio claims that Denuvo will not negatively impact the game’s performance, based on shared performance metrics.
    4. Previous concerns about Denuvo’s impact on frame rates (up to 30FPS drops) may not apply to Crimson Desert.
    5. Pre-orders for the disc version of Crimson Desert are available for PlayStation 5 on Amazon US.

    Promising to be one of the largest open-world games ever created, Crimson Desert is set to launch on March 19. The production studio, Pearl Abyss, recently confirmed that Denuvo will be included in the game. While this news has sparked a lot of criticism, the company’s official comments could help ease some concerns.

    No Negative Impact on Performance

    As noted by Paul Tassi on X, Pearl Abyss insists that including Denuvo has not harmed the game’s performance. All performance metrics shared so far have been obtained from versions of the game that use Denuvo.

    The benchmark videos and performance specifications that we provided were made with the same Denuvo implementation that will be in the final release. This includes the performance videos produced by Digital Foundry. It’s essential that the experiences of reviewers and benchmarkers align with what final consumers will encounter.

    – Pearl Abyss, as mentioned by Paul Tassi

    Denuvo’s Mixed Reputation

    Denuvo is well-known for being a DRM that is hard to crack, but it also has a bad reputation for hurting performance. To be specific, some tests have revealed that certain games can experience frame rate drops of up to 30FPS when the DRM is activated. Luckily, it seems that Crimson Desert might escape this particular issue.

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  • Crimson Desert Adds Denuvo DRM, Leads to Pre-Order Cancellations

    Crimson Desert Adds Denuvo DRM, Leads to Pre-Order Cancellations

    Key Takeaways

    1. Denuvo anti-piracy technology will be included in Crimson Desert, confirmed by Valve just before its release.
    2. Players are upset about the last-minute addition of Denuvo and are threatening to cancel pre-orders.
    3. Some fans feel misled by Pearl Abyss, citing out-of-context comments about anti-piracy measures.
    4. Denuvo can cause performance issues, potentially affecting gameplay in the open world of Crimson Desert.
    5. The impact of Denuvo on sales is unclear, as some games have still achieved high player counts despite using the DRM.

    Before buying a Steam game, those against Denuvo often check for any indication of this anti-piracy technology. Gamers were hopeful that the new project from Pearl Abyss would not include this controversial software. However, just before the release on March 19th for Crimson Desert, Valve confirmed that the DRM would be present, which could affect game performance.

    Player Reactions

    As soon as the news spread, complaints flooded the game’s Steam forum. Many players are unhappy about the last-minute addition of Denuvo after deciding to purchase the game. Consequently, several buyers are threatening to cancel their pre-orders for Crimson Desert, something Valve permits before the official launch.

    Misunderstandings and Misinformation

    Some fans feel they were misled by Pearl Abyss, referencing an earlier statement from a developer. Nevertheless, it seems those comments were taken out of context. The studio only mentioned that a decision regarding anti-piracy measures was still pending. Critics, however, argue that the timing of this decision was a strategic move to secure more sales.

    Denuvo works by encrypting a game’s executable file and monitoring for any code alterations. While it has had some success in fighting piracy, the constant checks can put stress on CPUs, leading to performance issues like stuttering. Resident Evil Village is a well-known case, causing Capcom to issue a patch to enhance frame rates.

    Performance Concerns

    In other titles, the DRM hasn’t harmed performance. Still, there are concerns that the vast open world of Crimson Desert could strain even the best gaming PCs. Sadly, many early reviews may not take into account how the DRM affects the game.

    Regarding sales, it remains unclear if Denuvo consistently impacts a publisher’s earnings. For instance, Resident Evil Requiem still achieved record player counts on Steam despite the DRM. Generally, companies like Capcom focus on fighting piracy during a game’s initial launch, where most sales occur. It’s common to see the DRM removed a few months post-launch.

    A leaked review of Crimson Desert indicated that it would appeal to players seeking an expansive open-world experience. However, many of the initial Steam reviews are likely to concentrate on the anti-tamper software instead.

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  • Resident Evil Requiem Breaks Steam Records Amid Denuvo Concerns

    Resident Evil Requiem Breaks Steam Records Amid Denuvo Concerns

    Key Takeaways

    1. Resident Evil Requiem launched on February 27, 2026, achieving a record peak of 344,000 concurrent players on Steam.
    2. The game outperformed previous installments, surpassing the combined peak player counts of Resident Evil 2, 3, and 4 remakes.
    3. Initial critical reception is positive, with a Metascore of 88/100 based on 111 reviews, although it falls short of the original Resident Evil 4 and its remake.
    4. The game features strong performance on consoles, with PS5 and Xbox Series X|S achieving high frame rates, while the Nintendo Switch 2 version runs at 30 FPS with good visuals.
    5. The PC version faces significant technical issues, including micro-stutters and crashes, which many attribute to Denuvo’s DRM and recent driver problems.

    Capcom has just launched its newest and most successful game in the survival horror series, Resident Evil Requiem, on 27 February 2026. This title has achieved an impressive peak of 344,000 concurrent players on Steam, setting a new record for the highest number of players for any Resident Evil game on the platform. However, the PC version has faced some technical problems, with many blaming Denuvo’s strict DRM for these issues.

    Previous Installments Performance

    To give some perspective, the earlier game, Resident Evil 4 Remake, had a peak of 168,000 concurrent players on Steam, while Resident Evil Village (Resident Evil 8) saw 106,000 players. Resident Evil 2 Remake managed 74,000 concurrent players at peak, and Resident Evil 3 Remake reached 60,000.

    Player Count Insights

    Resident Evil Requiem’s player count surpasses the combined total of the peaks from Resident Evil 2, 3, and 4 remakes. This number does not include its multi-platform launch on Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC, which has likely driven total player numbers into the millions. Still, Capcom has not disclosed official sales numbers or user statistics yet.

    The excitement around Resident Evil Requiem, along with the unexpected return of Leon Kennedy, has likely fueled the increase in player counts. Initial reviews have highlighted the intense survival horror moments and Leon’s action-packed combat, an unusual mix that has surprisingly resonated well with gamers despite some initial concerns.

    Critical Reception

    At this moment, Resident Evil Requiem boasts a solid Metascore of 88/100 based on 111 critic reviews on Metacritic, surpassing both Biohazard and Village but still falling short of the original Resident Evil 4 and its remake.

    Players are enjoying the game on PS5 with frame rates between 50–60 FPS, utilizing PSSR and ray tracing, and a consistent 60 FPS on both Xbox Series X and Series S. Meanwhile, the Nintendo Switch 2 version runs at a locked 30 FPS but offers impressive visual quality thanks to DLSS.

    Technical Challenges on PC

    Conversely, the PC version has encountered multiple technical difficulties since its release, with numerous players reporting issues like micro-stutters and crashes. Many attribute these problems to Capcom’s use of Denuvo anti-tamper software or Nvidia’s recently reverted Game Ready Driver 595.59.

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  • Resident Evil 4 PC Remake DRM Update Reduces FPS and VRAM Issues

    Resident Evil 4 PC Remake DRM Update Reduces FPS and VRAM Issues

    Key Takeaways

    1. DRM often harms paying customers more than it affects pirates, leading to performance issues in games like Resident Evil 4 Remake.
    2. Capcom replaced Denuvo with Enigma Protector, resulting in significant performance degradation, particularly on lower-end devices.
    3. While some gamers express concerns about modding, most mods, including REFramework, continue to function properly despite the updates.
    4. Performance issues are particularly severe on devices like the Steam Deck, with frame rate drops reported as high as 30%.
    5. There is a call for Capcom to reconsider their DRM strategy, as it penalizes paying customers without effectively deterring piracy.

    The essence of the anti-DRM debate is that DRM tends to hurt paying customers more than it does pirates. This is particularly relevant for an older game like Resident Evil 4 Remake, where a change in DRM has been reported to degrade performance by 20-50%. In this case, Capcom swapped out the DRM protection software Denuvo for a more affordable option called Enigma Protector. This alternative was also utilized in the Resident Evil 4 Remake demo and implemented in Resident Evil Revelations after Denuvo’s license ended. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first instance of a Capcom title facing performance issues related to DRM.

    Concerns About Modding

    Some gamers are criticizing this update as a setback for modding. However, as noted by well-known mod creator FluffyQuack, this isn’t a significant issue for most mods available for the game. REFramework continues to function without problems, as do most cosmetic mods that players can install through FluffyQuack’s Fluffy Mod Manager. Only a small percentage of mods are affected by such updates, and they should work properly after receiving their own updates.

    Performance Issues Reported

    When it comes to performance, users are experiencing much more serious drawbacks. The game shows the most significant performance losses on less powerful devices like the Steam Deck, with frame rate drops of up to around 30% reported. This is unfortunate for those players since Medium settings previously ran at a stable 40-50 FPS on that type of hardware. Now, the CPU and GPU VRAM requirements are simply too demanding for earlier entry-level users to maintain a frame rate above 30 FPS. Testing by FluffyQuack on a more powerful PC indicated greater variability, yet still showed up to a 20% performance increase with Denuvo compared to Enigma, which aligns with, if not slightly under, other findings.

    In conclusion, it would be great if Capcom rethinks this strategy or completely eliminates DRM like they did for Resident Evil 2 Remake and Resident Evil 3 Remake. Given that the game is already cracked, such a move seems to only penalize paying customers while causing minor annoyances for modders and pirates, which is not a positive outcome. There’s no need to spoil a solid PC port while still addressing issues in Monster Hunter Wilds.

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  • 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 Removed from InZOI Before Early Access Due to Backlash

     

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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.

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