Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Developers Clarify Denuvo Usage
Warhorse Studios has confirmed that the upcoming action-adventure RPG, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, will not feature Denuvo or any form of DRM. The developer also emphasized that when the game launches in February 2025, it will be completely free of digital rights management systems.
In recent years, many developers have adopted DRM (Digital Rights Management) systems to combat game piracy. These measures vary in form, from requiring a constant internet connection to limiting a game to a single installation on one device. One of the most controversial DRM solutions is Denuvo, which many gamers claim can harm performance and even damage SSDs. Despite Denuvo recently refuting these claims, it remains a divisive topic among players.
During a Twitch stream showcasing Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 gameplay, Warhorse Studios’ PR chief, Tobias Stolz-Zwilling, addressed the rumors directly. He assured fans that the game would not include Denuvo and urged the community to stop speculating about unconfirmed details. “Let’s bury that thing and let’s never ever talk about it anymore,” Stolz-Zwilling said, redirecting focus back to the game itself. The rumors about Denuvo’s inclusion reportedly originated from a questionable email attributed to the publisher, but it now appears the claims were unfounded.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 to Launch Without DRM
Denuvo remains a contentious topic among gamers, with its inclusion in recent high-profile titles sparking criticism. The Square Enix RPG Forspoken launched in January 2023 with Denuvo, but the software was quietly removed in July 2023. Given concerns over how DRM systems like Denuvo can negatively impact game performance, fans of the original Kingdom Come: Deliverance are relieved that the sequel will not include it. This is especially reassuring since the first game already faced issues with long loading times and bugs. Many hope the sequel will deliver improved optimization and a more polished experience.
After being delayed, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is now scheduled for release on February 11, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Set once again in 15th-century Bohemia, the game follows blacksmith Henry as he battles the forces of Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund during a brutal civil war. The development team has promised significant gameplay improvements, new features, and an expansive narrative. Notably, the script for the game contains approximately 2.2 million words, potentially surpassing the record set by Baldur’s Gate 3.
