The eagerly awaited cooperative adventure game, Split Fiction, crafted by the mastermind behind It Takes Two, has unfortunately become a target of piracy merely days following its launch on March 6, 2025. Available across various platforms, including PC via Steam, the game swiftly garnered both acclaim and the attention of hackers due to its lack of strong DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection. Electronic Arts chose to omit Denuvo, a popular anti-tamper technology, which inadvertently made the game more susceptible to unauthorized distribution.
Without Denuvo's protective shield, hackers found it considerably easier to crack Split Fiction, leading to its rapid spread across piracy platforms. Just days after its release, unauthorized copies of the game were circulating online, offering users the full experience without the need for purchase.
This incident underscores the persistent dilemma developers face in safeguarding their creations from piracy while ensuring that legitimate players enjoy a seamless and accessible experience. While many gamers applaud the decision to avoid intrusive DRM systems like Denuvo for enhancing gameplay, the absence of such measures leaves games vulnerable to early exploitation.
Split Fiction, lauded for its groundbreaking cooperative mechanics, compelling narrative, and stunning visuals, has received widespread praise from critics and early adopters on Steam. Players have celebrated the game as a fitting follow-up to Josef Fares’ previous acclaimed title, It Takes Two.
The game challenges players to engage in a distinctive cooperative adventure, featuring intricate puzzles, emotionally resonant storytelling, and dynamic gameplay. Its popularity among paying customers emphasizes the potential financial toll that piracy could take on both sales and the developer's earnings.
The decision to exclude Denuvo protection from Split Fiction has reignited debates over the effectiveness and necessity of DRM in contemporary gaming. Proponents of DRM argue it's crucial for deterring piracy, whereas critics contend it can adversely affect game performance and alienate legitimate users.
In the context of Split Fiction, the absence of DRM may have facilitated its swift compromise, prompting questions about whether Electronic Arts underestimated the agility and speed of the hacking community.