IO Interactive added Denuvo DRM protection to 007 First Light just six days before the scheduled release date. The update now appears on the Valve Steam store page for the title.
Gamers cancel pre-orders and voice concerns over performance after IO Interactive adds Denuvo protection
Players reacted negatively to the late disclosure of the anti-piracy software. Some users canceled their pre-orders and criticized the move as scummy behavior. Community discussions highlight concerns about long-term accessibility and intrusive server authentication on PC systems.
Some observers worry that Denuvo could impact game performance, though specific benchmarks for 007 First Light are not yet available. Marginal differences appeared in Resident Evil Requiem according to testing by Notebookcheck.net. The developer already faced skepticism over high memory requirements before the release date shifted two months later.
Gamers have asked Valve to require publishers to list DRM disclaimers before accepting pre-orders. Similar complaints emerged regarding generative AI notifications on the platform. Critics note that pirates may crack the title by launch day, and recent hypervisor bypasses limit the appeal of such protection for some players.
Source: NotebookCheck
