Since its shadowdrop in 2023 and through the studio’s shutdown by Microsoft a year later in 2024, all the way through the acquisition by Krafton, Tango Gameworks’ Hi-Fi Rush has maintained strict Denuvo anti-piracy measures.
Well, so much for that.
It’s worth noting that most games end up ditching their Denuvo subscriptions a year after its release, largely because of how costly things are. Per Amazon Web Services, it’s $25,000 a month plus $0.50 cents per activation.
For a franchise that seemingly has no future, it was surprising things lasted that long.
In an announcement posted to social media, Hi-Fi Rush had its Denuvo technology removed, and players who want to continue playing the game must update their game by January 15. A separate, non-Denuvo form of copy protection will remain in the game, but it somehow did not stop the game from being cracked immediately after.
As first shared on Reddit, Hi-Fi Rush is now available on the underside of the Internet, marking yet another game that’s managed to make its way via pirates in the last 11 months alone.
It’s unclear what form of copy protection was implemented in Denuvo’s place, but it seemingly was of little use in the end. That said, it appears that Krafton has its own reasons for wanting to get rid of Denuvo, and it isn’t cost-related.
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In a statement shared on its website, the removal of Denuvo was “intended to provide a more stable and efficient service environment.” It’s a rather interesting admission, one that mamy gamers often find as the most frustrating part of Denuvo, its impact on performance on PC.
“We sincerely appreciate all players who continue to support the game through legitimate use,” the statement concluded.
Ouch. It would seem that the powers that be clearly knew this would be the end result, even after anti-tampering features remained a part of the game, just not on the level of Denuvo.
Well, so much for those too.
- Released
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January 25, 2023
- ESRB
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Rated T: Fantasy Violence, Language
- Developer(s)
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Tango Gameworks
- Engine
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Unreal Engine 4
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