Digital rights management(DRM) measures are usually put in place to stifle unlawful distribution of digital media. Becoming more prominent among video games in recent years, the anti-piracy actions taken by developers is usually used to help keep things on the right side of legality in the opening weeks and months of a game’s lifespan. Unfortunately, hackers and the like aim to dismantle these procedures for their own personal gain. Just recently, the Middle-Earth: Shadow of War DRM was cracked in practically record time – within 24 hours of launch.

The Denuvo DRM was cracked by CODEX, a well-known group of pirates. Being so good at stripping titles of their Denuvo protection, the group is the very reason why arguments are being made to get rid of the anti-piracy tech altogether. Outside of the Shadow of War DRM being cracked, other titles were recently stripped of their anti-piracy protections within a day of launch, including FIFA 18 and Total War: Warhammer 2.

The reason developers use Denuvo is to keep initial sales of a game true. With the protections in place, more people are inclined to purchase the game instead of pirating it. Since CODEX is able to dismantle such measures so quickly, using the tech is only hurting studios and helping them lose money quicker. Even though the games mentioned above were hacked so early after their release, Denuvo still remains in place, making things on PC a bit more complicated. The tech itself actually negatively affects PC performance, which is why devs usually remove it once it has been cracked.

More companies are becoming mindful of the ineffectiveness of Denuvo. After using the technology to protect DOOM and Dishonored 2, Bethesda said that they would continue to use it, even with knowing that it isn’t helping as much as it once did. When The Evil Within 2 launched, however, it was without Denuvo. This only tells us that the well-known DRM is likely coming to an end, paving the way for something more advanced to take its place.

Middle-Earth: Shadow of War is currently available for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Keep it tuned to Don’t Feed the Gamers as this story develops, and for more going on in the gaming world, check out the following:

• Epic Games Lawsuit Aims To Take Cheaters Out Of Fortnite
• Blizzard Sues Overwatch Knockoff Heroes of Warfare
• Xboss Phil Spencer Thinks Sony Joining In On Cross-Play Is A “Lost Cause”

What say you, gamers? Are you opposed to the use of the anti-piracy technology? Was it only a matter of time before the Shadow of War DRM was cracked, or is it just expected that the measures will be overcome shortly after launch from here on out? Sound off in the comments section below, and be sure to follow DFTG on Twitter for live gaming and entertainment news 24/7!