ID Software to remove Denuvo Anti-Cheat system from DOOM Eternal

PC Gamers were not happy with ID Software’s decision to include Denuvo Anti-Cheat system in its recently launched DOOM Eternal as a part of its update released on May 14th. As a result, many gamers review bombed DOOM Eternal the hell out of it on Steam.

Denuvo Vs the gamers

The company behind Denuvo system did clarify its system. Though many weren’t interested and were not happy about it. Denuvo’s system gained rootkit access to the user’s system. It potentially leaves the user’s system exposed to any hack. Even playing the campaign mode requires always-online connection and without Denuvo, the game will not run. Apart from it, there were stability issues which affected the game and the PC.

Days passed by and until now ID Software did not make any statements or assurance. However, it did make a Reddit post about it. They said:

Despite our best intentions, feedback from players has made it clear that we must re-evaluate our approach to anti-cheat integration. With that, we will be removing the anti-cheat technology from the game in our next PC update. As we examine any future of anti-cheat in DOOM Eternal, at a minimum we must consider giving campaign-only players the ability to play without anti-cheat software installed, as well as ensure the overall timing of any anti-cheat integration better aligns with player expectations around clear initiatives – like ranked or competitive play – where demand for anti-cheat is far greater.

 

It is important to note that our decision to include anti-cheat was guided by nothing other than the factors and goals I’ve outlined above – all driven by our team at id Software. I have seen speculation online that Bethesda (our parent company and publisher) is forcing these or other decisions on us, and it’s simply untrue. It’s also worth noting that our decision to remove the anti-cheat software is not based on the quality of the Denuvo Anti-Cheat solution. Many have unfortunately related the performance and stability issues introduced in Update 1 to the introduction of anti-cheat. They are not related.

ID Software’s clarification

ID Software’ Marty Stratton said that the studio had many plans which were important to include Denuvo. They wanted it to protect its BATTLEMODE players from cheaters. It also planned to launch ‘Invasion’ which is a combination of campaign and multiplayer in the future. It still clarified that Denuvo did meet its security and privacy criteria. The studio felt the pressure of providing that multiplayer experience because of disappointing experience in DOOM (2016).

In any case, gamers did not want that. The concern and backlash were big enough to make them change. As a result, we should see the future update uninstalling and untethering DOOM Eternal from Denuvo’s anti-cheat program.

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