Payday 3 Adopts Controversial Anti-Tamper Tech
Deep Silver and Starbreeze have announced that Payday 3 will incorporate Denuvo, an often criticized anti-tamper technology, in addition to the developer’s proprietary Starbreeze Nebula activation service. As a result, players might face multiple layers of security checks during gameplay, raising concerns for the game’s launch in late September.
This decision adds to the earlier revelation that Payday 3 will require an always-online connection, disappointing some solo players. While the game offers a single-player heist mode, it will be inaccessible without an internet connection. This places Payday 3 in the same category as live-service titles like Destiny 2 and Diablo 4, where continuous online access is mandatory.
Given the presence of Starbreeze Nebula and the always-online stipulation, the choice to integrate Denuvo into Payday 3 by Starbreeze and Deep Silver seems redundant. Denuvo has gained traction in the gaming sector in recent years for its effectiveness in deterring piracy, sometimes for extended periods. The rationale behind employing Denuvo from a business perspective is clear. However, the game’s inherent online nature already poses a significant hurdle for potential pirates, making the necessity of Denuvo questionable.
Denuvo’s recent ebook on piracy painted a grim picture, expressing deep concerns about PC bootlegging and equating emulation to an “economic menace” for developers. They also forecast potential damages to reputation and infringements of intellectual property rights. Given Denuvo’s stance in the gaming sphere, their emphasis on the gravity of piracy isn’t surprising. It appears their stance has found traction with companies like Starbreeze and Deep Silver.
This alignment suggests that developers are ready to make significant investments in Denuvo to shield Payday 3 from pirates for as long as feasible. The economic logic of such a move for an always-online game is debatable. Yet, with Payday 3 slated for a September launch, its initial market performance should hint at the efficacy of this strategy.
While it’s expected that Payday 3 will build on the successes of its predecessor, Payday 2, there might also be setbacks for the gaming community. For instance, Payday 2 garnered a dedicated modding community over the years. Given the constraints of an always-online game, replicating such a community for Payday 3 seems challenging. Hence, the release of Payday 3 is poised to be a noteworthy event, particularly for loyalists of the series.
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