piracy

AppWizard
April 13, 2026
Capcom's Resident Evil Requiem has sparked discussions about Denuvo DRM's effectiveness against piracy. Reports indicate that pirated versions of the game, cracked by the group 'voices38' using a Hypervisor Denuvo bypass, do not show significant performance advantages over the legitimate version. Unlike previous titles such as Assassin's Creed Origins, which improved performance after Denuvo removal, Requiem remains well-optimized without a Denuvo-less version. The history of Denuvo's impact on performance is mixed, with the recent Resident Evil 4 remake experiencing performance declines due to Enigma DRM, leading to its eventual removal by Capcom. Additionally, Denuvo can create accessibility issues for users on platforms like SteamOS, particularly when switching between Proton modes. Currently, players of Resident Evil Requiem can enjoy the game without performance disparities associated with pirated versions.
AppWizard
April 13, 2026
Modder Ionian-MikiriyAKATotallyNotShinobi created a custom skateboarding level for Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice called Jet Set Sekiro, allowing players to skate through the Fountainhead Palace. The mod features a new movement system that integrates skateboarding mechanics into the game. The Mod Server on YouTube showcases this mod, highlighting its creative gameplay. Previous skateboarding mods have existed for FromSoftware titles, such as a Firelink Shrine map for Tony Hawk's Underground 2. Additionally, the game Skate Story is currently on sale on GOG.
AppWizard
April 12, 2026
Denuvo's DRM has been successfully bypassed for Resident Evil: Requiem, which was released over 40 days ago, by the cracker voices38. The cracked version improves performance by approximately 5% in frames per second (FPS) and reduces resource consumption, with a decrease of 1.5 to 2 GB in VRAM usage and nearly 1 GB in system memory requirements. Initial tests on a high-end system show fewer CPU usage spikes and improved frametimes. Additionally, a new version of the hypervisor-based bypass (HV) is being developed to allow use without disabling Windows security features. Irdeto, Denuvo's parent company, is facing challenges as it promises enhancements to its software.
TrendTechie
April 11, 2026
Hacker voices38 has successfully circumvented the Denuvo anti-piracy protection in Resident Evil Requiem, marking the first breach of a project secured with the current version of Denuvo without using hypervisor techniques. The method used is described as a native approach, which avoids the complications and risks associated with hypervisor solutions. This breakthrough claims to improve performance, mitigating frame rate drops that typically average 11 fps with previous methods. The version of Denuvo in Resident Evil Requiem has only minor modifications from the 2025 release. Resident Evil 9: Requiem debuted in February 2026, featuring Leon Kennedy and FBI agent Grace Ashcroft. Additionally, Android smartphones can run Resident Evil Requiem at 90 fps.
AppWizard
April 9, 2026
Windrose is a "PvE survival adventure" game set in the Age of Piracy, allowing players to embark on solo or cooperative journeys with up to four friends. Players can build bases, recruit NPCs, trade with factions, and engage in challenging combat reminiscent of souls-lite mechanics. The game has gained significant attention, with over 1.5 million wishlists and 850,000 demo players during Steam Next Fest, ranking eighth on Steam's Most Wishlisted chart. Windrose is set to enter early access on April 14. The development team has made improvements based on feedback from over 12,000 surveys and 7,500 reviews, including enhanced multiplayer capabilities and changes to naval combat.
Winsage
April 8, 2026
Gaming on Linux has advanced significantly due to Valve's Proton compatibility layer and the Steam Deck, allowing most single-player PC games to run on the platform. Data from ProtonDB indicates that nearly every Windows game is now playable on Linux. However, hypervisor-based DRM bypass techniques have emerged, weakening Denuvo's anti-tamper protections and reviving day-zero piracy. Hypervisors operate beneath the operating system, allowing pirates to manipulate Denuvo's validation checks, drastically reducing the time to crack games. This resurgence of piracy poses security risks, as users must disable kernel-level security features, exposing their systems to vulnerabilities. Irdeto, the company behind Denuvo, recognizes the need for updated security measures, but these could complicate the gaming experience for Linux users. Linux's open-source nature complicates enforcing kernel integrity, making effective anti-cheat and DRM systems challenging. Despite these issues, Linux gaming has seen considerable growth, but the threat of hypervisor-based piracy could jeopardize this progress and lead to tighter DRM measures that may reduce Linux compatibility.
AppWizard
March 30, 2026
Xalavier Nelson Jr., founder and creative director of Strange Scaffold, began his gaming journey on consoles and was influenced by watching his father play PC games like Battlefield 2 and Age of Empires. He considers Sid Meier's Pirates! a pivotal game that shaped his perspective on gaming. Currently, he is revisiting Outriders with friends, appreciating its unique storytelling and lamenting the cancellation of its sequel. He has logged the most hours in Worms: Crazy Golf, a childhood favorite shared with his sister. Nelson Jr. vows never to uninstall Warframe due to its continuous evolution and engaging experience. He relies on Audacity for audio editing as a voice actor. His desktop is organized with only essential icons and a few critical text files, and he has a completed game project waiting for release.
Winsage
March 28, 2026
Microsoft has confirmed a major kernel security update for Windows 11, revoking trust in older drivers signed through an outdated cross-certification program. The update will ensure that Windows 11 accepts only software that has passed the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program's testing standards. This change aims to counter piracy attempts, particularly against a hacker known as DenuvOwOA, who bypassed Denuvo's anti-piracy protection by manipulating the embedded hypervisor and loading unsigned or vulnerable drivers. The new security policy will block the execution of such code, making existing hacking methods obsolete. The rollout will begin in compatibility assessment mode for Windows 11 and Windows Server & Hosting, with a hard block activated only if no stability issues are detected. Corporate clients can manually add certificates through the Application Control for business tool, while gamers will find it increasingly difficult to run hacked games relying on a modified hypervisor.
AppWizard
March 18, 2026
Death Stranding 2 is available for preload on Steam, but a pre-release version has leaked on piracy websites two days before its official launch. The leak originated from Steam, where unencrypted game files were mistakenly made accessible, allowing users to download the entire game, which is 113GB in size. While Steam's DRM is easier to bypass than Denuvo, the absence of Denuvo has facilitated this leak. Pirates can download and play the game, but the pre-release build lacks Russian voiceovers. Players who pirate the game will face limitations regarding online features, which are central to the gameplay. The official release is scheduled for March 19 at 7:30 am Pacific (2:30 pm GMT).
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