Denuvo and 2K Reportedly Add Two-Week DRM Checks After Pirates Crack All Denuvo-Protected Single-Player Games

Key Points:

• The MKDev Collective and user DenuvOwO claim to have cracked all Denuvo-protected single-player games using a hypervisor-based bypass (HVB), allowing gameplay without a full crack.
• In response, Denuvo and publisher 2K Games have implemented mandatory online DRM checks with a two-week window for titles like NBA 2K25, NBA 2K26, and Marvel's Midnight Suns to counteract the bypass.
• This new DRM approach has sparked backlash among gamers due to Denuvo's reputation for causing performance issues and the inconvenience of requiring internet connectivity, which can restrict gameplay on devices like the Steam Deck or in areas with poor internet.
• The ongoing cat-and-mouse battle highlights that while anti-piracy protections evolve, pirates continue to develop easier-to-use cracks, with the latest HVB method requiring only the disabling of Core Isolation, reducing previous risks but still posing security concerns.
• Developers increasingly promote the absence of Denuvo as a selling point, reflecting growing consumer resistance to intrusive DRM, especially when added close to game launches, as seen with the backlash against Crimson Desert earlier this year.