PC gamers who pre-ordered 007 First Light can finally breathe easier. Denuvo anti-tamper protection has been stripped from the Steam version of the title. This removal happens just two months after the game launched in May. Players no longer need to worry about the performance penalties or offline restrictions that anti-tamper technology often brings to modern PC releases.
DRM removal follows pre-order cancellations and community backlash
The update targets the Steam distribution platform specifically. Denuvo, the software company behind the anti-tamper layer, is no longer active in the game files. This change affects the standard PC edition available through Valve's storefront. This change does not necessarily apply to console versions or other digital storefronts.
SteamDB change history confirms the technical details of the removal. The latest patch update explicitly removed the DRM component from the client. The game initially shipped with this protection in place during its May launch. The removal process appears to be a permanent change to the installed files.
The decision to remove Denuvo follows significant backlash from the community. Six days before the initial release, the addition of the DRM caused controversy. That controversy led to a wave of pre-order cancellations from concerned buyers. Despite the rocky start, the game currently holds a Very Positive rating on Steam.
We looked at the last 007 First Light update, several of the same balance and stability themes came up. The removal of Denuvo addresses a major point of contention for PC players. This removal eliminates a barrier that many gamers actively avoid when purchasing new titles. The game is now available without the anti-tamper layer.
Source: NotebookCheck
