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Why are PC developers removing Denuvo from their games?
AppWizard
March 13, 2026

Why are PC developers removing Denuvo from their games?

Denuvo is a widely recognized digital rights management (DRM) solution used by major publishers like Square Enix, Sega, and EA to prevent unauthorized copying and modification of games. A study indicated that a game could lose up to 20% of revenue if cracked within its first week. Concerns about Denuvo's impact on game performance have been raised, with reports suggesting that games without it may perform better. Issues with titles like Resident Evil Village and Tekken 7 were attributed to improper implementation of additional protection measures. Tekken 7 eventually removed Denuvo, while Resident Evil Village retained it until April 2023. Amplitude Studios launched its game Humankind without Denuvo due to performance issues found during beta testing. Michał Kiciński, CEO of GOG, argued that DRM complicates the experience for legitimate customers and fails to effectively prevent piracy. Saber Interactive decided not to use Denuvo for Space Marine 2, highlighting the nuanced nature of the anti-DRM movement. Denuvo costs around ,000 per month plus fees for each game activation, making its financial justification less compelling as sales decline post-launch. Square Enix has removed Denuvo from titles like Dragon Quest 1 & 2 Remake and Final Fantasy 16 within six months of release, while Capcom has retained it for longer periods. The decision to remove or avoid Denuvo is influenced by performance issues, financial implications, and operational efficiency considerations.
Crimson Desert adds confirmation of Denuvo DRM to its Steam page a week out from launch
AppWizard
March 13, 2026

Crimson Desert adds confirmation of Denuvo DRM to its Steam page a week out from launch

Fans of Crimson Desert, particularly those who enjoyed its predecessor Black Desert Online, are excited about the game's impressive scale, visuals, and combat mechanics. It is positioned as a massive MMORPG-lite single-player experience. However, a week before its launch, it was announced that Crimson Desert will incorporate Denuvo DRM on Steam, which has sparked mixed reactions among the PC gaming community. Denuvo is known as a leading anti-tamper solution, and its inclusion is intended to protect revenue from piracy. A study indicates that games can lose up to 20% in revenue if cracked within the first week. The reputation of Denuvo is contentious, with some arguing that it complicates user experience and does not effectively combat piracy. Discussions on platforms like Reddit show a split among players regarding pre-orders and refunds due to the Denuvo decision. Additionally, there will be no mod support for PC at launch, but the game's system requirements are accessible.
Capcom ditches Resident Evil 4 Remake's new, performance-choking DRM
AppWizard
March 3, 2026

Capcom ditches Resident Evil 4 Remake’s new, performance-choking DRM

Capcom's recent decision to replace Denuvo DRM with Enigma Protector for the Resident Evil 4 Remake lasted only 28 days due to performance issues reported by players. Digital Foundry confirmed that CPU performance suffered compared to the Denuvo version, leading to a rise in negative reviews despite the game maintaining a high Steam user score. On March 3, Capcom removed Enigma Protector from Resident Evil 4, leaving the game without any third-party DRM currently listed on its Steam page. There is no indication that Denuvo has been reinstated. GOG offers DRM-free alternatives but does not host Resident Evil 4 or the newly released Requiem.
GOG agrees with Ultrakill publisher boss that "the future of preservation is decided by players who give a s**t"
AppWizard
February 23, 2026

GOG agrees with Ultrakill publisher boss that “the future of preservation is decided by players who give a s**t”

Dave Oshry, CEO of New Blood Interactive, questioned the long-term viability of GOG as a competitor in the PC gaming market after its acquisition by a co-founder of CD Projekt Red. He praised GOG's commitment to game preservation and modding but expressed skepticism about its sustainability. In response, GOG acknowledged his concerns and emphasized the importance of community support for game preservation, encouraging players to engage with the platform. GOG has been focused on preserving classic games for nearly 20 years and differentiates itself from competitors like Steam and Epic Games Store through its DRM-free offerings and modding capabilities. Despite these efforts, challenges remain in attracting users away from Steam, which dominates the market.
New Blood CEO Dave Oshry says he's 'always loved GOG' but 'they need enough people to give a s**t, or how long are they even going to be around'
AppWizard
February 23, 2026

New Blood CEO Dave Oshry says he’s ‘always loved GOG’ but ‘they need enough people to give a s**t, or how long are they even going to be around’

Steam is a dominant platform in digital gaming, known for its superior user experience and extensive library, including classic games. GOG offers a DRM-free storefront and focuses on preserving classic games with its GOG Galaxy launcher but struggles to match Steam's user numbers. Developers have noted that Steam's early integration of classic games significantly broadened its appeal. GOG's future depends on attracting a larger audience to sustain its operations while maintaining its preservation efforts.
GOG adds 10 more games to its Preservation Program to provide long-term support with DRM-free access
AppWizard
February 21, 2026

GOG adds 10 more games to its Preservation Program to provide long-term support with DRM-free access

GOG has expanded its Preservation Program, which now includes 100 games, ensuring they remain accessible and playable on modern systems. Recently, 10 new titles were added, including The Wolf Among Us and The Last Express. Notable classics in the program include Fallout, The Witcher 1+2, RollerCoaster Tycoon, Dungeon Keeper, and Resident Evil 2. GOG is also developing native support for the GOG Galaxy application for Linux users.
10 Classic PC Games Return for Modern Systems Via GOG Preservation Program
AppWizard
February 20, 2026

10 Classic PC Games Return for Modern Systems Via GOG Preservation Program

GOG (Good Old Games) has expanded its Preservation Program, which was inaugurated in 2025, by adding ten new titles to its collection of over 100 classic PC games that are DRM-free and supported for modern systems. The newly included games are: 1. The Wolf Among Us (2013) – .99 2. The Last Express (1997) – .99 3. The Last Express: Gold Edition (2013) - .99 4. Eric The Unready (1993) – .99 5. Police Quest Collection (1987) – .99 6. Lost Eden (1995) – .99 7. Space Quest 1, 2, and 3 (1989) – .99 each 8. The Dame Was Loaded (1996) – .99 9. Kingdom: The Far Reaches (1995) – .99 10. Little Divil (1993) – .99 These games are actively maintained, ensuring that players receive support for any issues, and they are compatible with Windows 10 and 11, with some titles also supporting Linux and Mac OS.
Four classic Final Fantasy games get the DRM-free treatment from GOG, and they're 60% off if you're fast
AppWizard
January 29, 2026

Four classic Final Fantasy games get the DRM-free treatment from GOG, and they’re 60% off if you’re fast

Four Final Fantasy titles have been released on GOG, offering a DRM-free experience and a 60% discount until February 7. The titles are Final Fantasy 9, FF8 Remastered, FF4 3D Edition, and FF3 3D Edition, priced at .39 / £4.49 for FF3 and FF4, .39 for FF8, and .39 for FF9. These games are compatible with current Windows PC configurations and include tech support.
'Steam is winning with its ease of use,' GOG's new owner says, but he's not interested in picking a fight: 'I think much can be done in GOG without losing its core values and the way it operates'
AppWizard
January 13, 2026

‘Steam is winning with its ease of use,’ GOG’s new owner says, but he’s not interested in picking a fight: ‘I think much can be done in GOG without losing its core values and the way it operates’

CD Projekt sold its DRM-free digital storefront, GOG, to co-founder Michal Kiciński at the end of 2025. GOG has transitioned from focusing solely on classic titles to including newer releases, but it remains a niche player in the gaming market and has not generated substantial revenue for CD Projekt. Kiciński and GOG's managing director, Maciej Gołębiewski, expressed optimism about GOG's potential, emphasizing its unique position and mission to ensure games endure over time. GOG is expanding its catalog of new releases, particularly from independent studios, without aiming to compete directly with Steam in terms of volume. GOG is known for being a curated platform, contrasting with Steam's high volume of releases, and Kiciński acknowledged the need for GOG to improve its user-friendly features while maintaining its core values. GOG will continue to uphold its commitment to being a DRM-free platform, which Kiciński stated is a core value that will not change in the foreseeable future.
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