In a recent update on the game’s Steam page, it has been confirmed that Crimson Desert will incorporate Denuvo, a widely debated anti-piracy technology. This announcement has stirred a mix of anticipation and concern among the PC gaming community, particularly regarding its potential impact on game performance. However, Pearl Abyss, the game’s developer, has reassured players that they need not fret if they were satisfied with the visuals showcased in earlier previews.
Performance Assurance from Pearl Abyss
A representative from Pearl Abyss clarified that the benchmark videos and performance specifications released prior to launch were generated using the same Denuvo implementation that will be present in the final build. This includes performance assessments conducted by reputable sources such as Digital Foundry. The developer emphasized the importance of ensuring that the experiences shared by reviewers and benchmarkers accurately reflect what consumers can expect upon release.
One notable benchmark video, published on February 28, demonstrated Crimson Desert running at ultra settings in native 4K resolution, achieving a commendable frame rate of “mainly” 60fps on a Radeon RX 7900 XTX graphics card. While this card is now over three years old and slightly trails behind Nvidia’s top-tier GPUs, its ability to deliver strong performance at native 4K without upscaling is a promising indicator of the game’s scalability on lower-end hardware.
Despite the assurances from developers, a segment of the PC gaming audience harbors a deep-seated aversion to Denuvo, often based on principle rather than performance. While Denuvo does not universally hinder performance, instances of degradation have been significant enough for the company to acknowledge the concerns raised by gamers. For some, the presence of the “Denuvo anti-tamper” label on Steam serves as a cautionary signal, prompting hesitation in purchasing decisions. Nonetheless, it is encouraging to hear developers commit to transparency by showcasing the game in its intended state for players.
In a move to prevent spoilers, Crimson Desert has also implemented measures to secure physical copies that were shipped early. However, this has raised concerns among some players regarding the implications for game preservation, as they fear it may set a precedent that could affect future titles.
