MYworldfix

Bethesda Surprises with Denuvo in Indiana Jones Game Before Launch

Dec 4, 2024 at 12:37 PM

Even a year ago, an intriguing event took place. Bethesda, one of the prominent companies, decided to abandon Denuvo. This move was made with the beloved action-packed FPS, DOOM Eternal. At that time, the studio remained silent about the reason for this decision. Coupled with Starfield not having the DRM from the very beginning, it led many, including the author, to think that Bethesda had listened to the gaming community's feedback and didn't want to anger it in the future. However, it seems that our assumption was incorrect. The studio's approach appears to be to remove Denuvo months or even years after a game's release, when the initial excitement has died down and it is considered safer from a financial perspective without risking piracy during the crucial first few weeks after the launch.

Unraveling Bethesda's Denuvo Decision and Its Implications

Bethesda's Denuvo Abandonment with DOOM Eternal

About a year ago, Bethesda made a significant move by choosing to ditch Denuvo from DOOM Eternal. This action raised many questions among gamers. The studio's silence regarding the decision left many speculating. It was seen as a potential sign that Bethesda was listening to the gaming community and wanted to avoid any potential backlash. However, as time passed, it became clear that the situation was more complex.

Removing Denuvo from a game like DOOM Eternal is a bold step. Denuvo is a widely used digital rights management system that is designed to prevent piracy. By removing it, Bethesda took a risk. They had to consider the potential impact on piracy and the financial implications. This decision also raised questions about Bethesda's long-term strategy regarding DRM.

Starfield and the Absence of DRM

Starfield, another highly anticipated game from Bethesda, did not feature Denuvo from the start. This further fueled the speculation that Bethesda was moving away from DRM. It seemed that the studio was listening to the concerns of gamers and was willing to take a different approach.

However, the recent revelation that Bethesda will remove Denuvo months or even years after a game's release shows that the situation is not as straightforward as it seemed. The studio's decision to wait until the initial hype has subsided suggests that they are still concerned about piracy. They are taking a cautious approach and weighing the financial risks and benefits.

Denuvo in Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Shadows

Last week, another interesting discovery was made. Denuvo was found in Ubisoft's highly anticipated release, Assassin's Creed Shadows. Along with mandatory account linking and a EULA provision that permits the game to monitor your PC's RAM, this raised concerns among gamers.

The presence of Denuvo in Assassin's Creed Shadows highlights the ongoing debate about DRM in the gaming industry. While some argue that DRM is necessary to protect developers' rights and prevent piracy, others believe that it can be invasive and negatively impact the gaming experience. Bethesda's shifting stance on Denuvo adds another layer of complexity to this debate.

Don't forget to join our 80 Level Talent platform and our new Discord server, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Telegram, TikTok, and Threads, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.