So good news for PC gamers this week, at least for those who hate DRM. Capcom has revealed that the previously leaked DRM-free version of Resident Evil 2 Remake is now free of the blight that is Denuvo. The company implemented the controversial DRM software to protect the game and launch, and now they’re confident enough in the sales numbers that the protection has been removed. Back in May 2019, Capcom had accidentally released a Denuvo-free version of Resident Evil 2 Remake. This led to today, a day that many fans hoped was coming.
After all, this is exactly what DRM solutions are designed to do. In the vast majority of cases, crackers will remove the DRM solution within days of release, although sometimes it happens the day of release. In the case of Denuvo, it usually takes a few days for that removal to happen, so companies get what they want, those sweet launch sales.
This also serves to save Capcom time and money. Now, they no longer have to issue patches or updates to the underlying Denuvo software. This means the company also no longer has to pay any future licensing fees to Irdeto, who makes the much-hated software.
Why do people hate Denuvo? For a multitude of reasons. Many people, including some developers, blame the DRM solution for issues with performance. It seems that commonly CPU-bound games are hit with some slowdowns while dealing with DRM-based calculations. Whether this is the case varies by game, and it doesn’t usually happen for better optimized titles, or those which are more reliant on GPU power.
The other reason people consistently detest Denuvo is more about the reputation that DRM software has developed. In more infamous cases that still draw anger, DRM solutions were found to be installing adware and other forms of malware onto user’s systems. One recent instance, the Red Shell software installed in some games like Civilization VI was considered to be the equivalent of adware, when its intended purpose was user metrics for advertising. This controversy led to Firaxis patching out the functionality.
