Denuvo, a company known for creating anti-piracy software for PC games, has unveiled a new solution to address the issue of pre-release leaks in the gaming industry. The new offering, TraceMark for Games, includes a watermarking system that aims to make it easier to track leaks. This will discourage individuals from sharing game builds and screenshots before officially releasing.
Essentially, the watermarking technology allows developers to add identifiable markers to internal playtest builds, closed betas, and review copies. These markers can be either visible or invisible. Each unique watermark is traceable, allowing developers to identify the source of any leaks. The purpose is to discourage those with early access to game content from sharing it prematurely. This is because the likelihood of being identified as the source of the leak rises significantly when there’s a way of tracing it.
Denuvo does a lot of harm to games when it’s installed, but this is one of the good things it does. Leaks are never okay and cause a ton of damage to our industry. Denuvo’s TraceMark integrates with the company’s existing Anti-Tamper solution, adding an extra layer of protection against unauthorized modification of game files (thanks, Eurogamer). This combined approach provides a stronger defense against those attempting to distribute leaked content.
“With the launch of TraceMark for Gaming, we are setting a new standard in anti-piracy for the gaming industry. This innovative solution not only marks a significant milestone for Irdeto but also represents a leap forward in protecting the creative and financial investments of game developers worldwide.”
Niels Haverkorn, Senior Vice President of Irdeto.
Denuvo’s anti-piracy measures have been criticized in the past for sometimes causing performance issues. However, the new TraceMark system aims to prevent leaks without directly affecting gameplay. Whether this will work or just be a fancy new reason for developers to use Denuvo remains to be seen.
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