IO Interactive released its AAA game 007 First Light on May 26 this year, surprising players with the inclusion of Denuvo DRM. However, after just two months on the market, IO Interactive officially removed this level of DRM from the game. SteamDB has tracked this change, meaning that the official Steam version of 007 First Light is now DRM-free. This is great news for gamers, as Denuvo DRM and similar solutions have been widely criticized by the gaming community for impacting performance and introducing various features and limitations. For benchmark enthusiasts like us at TechPowerUp, DRMs often impose restrictions on changes to hardware, so removing DRM is now much more convenient for those upgrading their computers or running benchmarks.
As a reminder, IO Interactive announced the inclusion of Denuvo DRM just six days before the official launch of the game. This came as a surprise to those who pre-ordered the game as the company did not announce it before pre-orders began, causing many gamers to consider canceling their orders. However, now that Denuvo DRM has been removed, they no longer have to worry about potential issues and the game is officially DRM free. DRM controversy aside, 007 First Light has received 89% positive reviews in the last 30 days, indicating that the game is performing well. Once restrictions are lifted, reception may become even more positive over time.
Let us remind you that IO Interactive recently carried out layoffs in the studio. This follows the termination of its relationship with an external partner on Project Fantasy’s proprietary intellectual property. While IO Interactive did not name the external partner, a Bloomberg report confirmed that it is Xbox. The budget was likely tight and the studio may no longer be able to pay for Denuvo DRM, which is expected to cost around $30,000 per month. Sales from those who oppose DRM layers could be a net positive, as gamers who oppose Denuvo may outnumber those who prefer pirated games and bypass it.