Over the years, more and more publishers have released new titles with anti-piracy software attached. This is designed in a way that forces gamers into purchasing said titles instead of obtaining them through nefarious means. That being said, when companies announce that they will be releasing their games sans anti-piracy protections, it raises some questions. This is the case with THQ Nordic, as they have recently disclosed that they will be launching Biomutant and Darksiders III DRM-free versions.

While a Darksiders III DRM-free version is a surprise to most, it will be joined by Biomutant, This is the Police 2, and Fade to Silence. All of them are to be released on GOG, a popular retailer that prides itself on an anti-DRM model. The news may come as a bit of a shock, but it’s not entirely unheard of. After all, the act of including anti-piracy software itself scares away potential buyers who will likely acquire the title another way that doesn’t involve payment. If you’re still unsure how DRM (Digital Rights Management) works, here’s a bit of info from TechTarget:

Digital rights management (DRM) is a systematic approach to copyright protection for digital media. The purpose of DRM is to prevent unauthorized redistribution of digital media and restrict the ways consumers can copy content they’ve purchased. DRM products were developed in response to the rapid increase in online piracy of commercially marketed material, which proliferated through the widespread use of peer-to-peer file exchange programs. Typically DRM is implemented by embedding code that prevents copying, specifies a time period in which the content can be accessed or limits the number of devices the media can be installed on.

Although digital content is protected by copyright laws, policing the Web and catching law-breakers is very difficult. DRM technology focuses on making it impossible to steal content in the first place, a more efficient approach to the problem than the hit-and-miss strategies aimed at apprehending online poachers after the fact.”

There is no denying that THQ Nordic’s move to release two of their biggest 2018 games DRM-free is a bold move, but we are certainly interested to see how it plays out. Neither of the games have concrete launch dates as of right now. Keep it tuned to Don’t Feed the Gamers as this story develops, and for other gaming news, check out the following:

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What say you, gamers? Are you excited that both Biomutant and Darksiders III DRM-free versions will be available upon release? Do you think the publisher is crazy for going with this strategy, or will it pay off in the long run? Sound off in the comments section below, and be sure to follow DFTG on Twitter for live gaming and entertainment news 24/7!