Denuvo, the widely used Digital Rights Management (DRM) software, claims that it does not impose any performance impact on games that implement it, as stated in a report by Ars Technica. Steeve Huin, the COO of video games at Irdeto, the company that owns Denuvo, acknowledges the software's reputation in the gaming world but assures gamers that extensive development efforts are undertaken to ensure that game performance remains unaffected in titles utilizing Denuvo's DRM.
While Denuvo has achieved significant success in thwarting piracy and protecting supported titles, it has faced considerable criticism within the gaming community. The DRM software has garnered a negative reputation due to perceived handicaps in gaming performance and conflicts with mods.
However, Huin refutes claims that Denuvo hampers performance. He explains that gamers rarely have access to game builds that come in both protected and non-protected formats. Developers often remove Denuvo months or even years after a game's release, once it has undergone numerous bug fixes and optimizations to enhance its performance. Consequently, gamers may compare an early version of a game featuring Denuvo DRM against a later version without it, without taking other factors into consideration.
Huin emphasizes that the Denuvo team meticulously applies security measures and validates game performance to ensure that Denuvo does not compromise gameplay in any way. He asserts that Denuvo serves as a positive force in the gaming community, highlighting the benefits of anti-piracy technologies for players and the protection of publishers' investments.
Recognizing the skepticism within the gaming community, Huin reveals that Irdeto is developing a program that will allow trusted media outlets to test games both with and without the Denuvo DRM. This initiative aims to refute false claims surrounding Denuvo and restore its reputation.
For further insights into how Denuvo plans to restore its name and improve its standing, we recommend reading the full interview.
