Q: Can I remove Denuvo legally?
No. Only the publisher can remove it via a patch. You cannot "strip" Denuvo from a legit copy.
Q: Does Denuvo affect performance in 2025 games?
Independent testing in 2025 shows a 0–5% FPS impact on modern CPUs (e.g., Ryzen 9000 series). Controversy persists, but most recent titles show no major degradation.
Q: Are there Denuvo-free AAA games in 2025?
Yes. CD Projekt Red, Larian Studios, and some indie AAAs (e.g., Hades II) avoid it entirely.
As of mid-2025, Denuvo is far from dying. While the community celebrates the rare removal (like Hades II), the reality is that the majority of AA and AAA titles—specifically from Japanese publishers (Square Enix, Capcom, Sega) and western sports giants (EA, 2K)—are locked behind this DRM.
Use the list above to make informed purchasing decisions. If you value preservation, look for the "Denuvo-free" tag on GOG. If you are a competitive gamer or a modder, assume that any major release in 2025 uses Denuvo until proven otherwise.
Have we missed a title? The situation changes daily. Check back for the updated list of games using Denuvo in 2025 as we move into the holiday season. list of games using denuvo 2025
Disclaimer: This information is aggregated from public Steam listings, official publisher announcements, and community-driven databases (PCGamingWiki, SteamDB). Statuses are accurate as of June 2025.
For the most up-to-date information, I recommend checking online sources such as:
Keep in mind that not all games using Denuvo will have it listed publicly, and some may remove it in later updates.
Not all store pages disclose Denuvo. Use this checklist:
As we move deeper into 2025, the debate surrounding Digital Rights Management (DRM) in PC gaming has reached a fever pitch. At the center of this storm remains Denuvo, the Anti-Tamper software that has become synonymous with both "piracy protection" and "performance anxiety." Q: Can I remove Denuvo legally
For publishers, Denuvo is the digital fortress protecting multi-million dollar launch windows. For a significant portion of gamers, it is a potential performance hog that justifies waiting for a crack or—increasingly—a "GOG release."
Whether you are a consumer looking to avoid it, a researcher tracking DRM trends, or a gamer simply checking if your new purchase includes this controversial software, having an accurate list of games using Denuvo in 2025 is essential.
Here is the definitive catalog, broken down by release status, publisher behavior, and recent trends.
| Game Title | Publisher | Release Date | Denuvo Status | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Hades II (Full 1.0 Release) | Supergiant Games | April 10, 2025 | Removed (Added only for Early Access launch in 2024, dropped for 1.0) | | Starfield: Shattered Space (Standalone) | Bethesda | April 25, 2025 | Inactive (Bethesda dropped Denuvo in late 2024. Standalone does not require it) | | Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater | Konami | May 2, 2025 | Active (Heavily protected to prevent asset rips) | | The Sinking City 2 | Frogwares | May 16, 2025 | Removed (Developer removed it after 2 weeks citing "performance feedback") | | Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 | Activision | May 30, 2025 (Season 2) | Active (Always-on is bundled with Denuvo Anti-Cheat) | | World of Warcraft: Dark Heart | Blizzard | June 10, 2025 | Active (Blizzard uses custom Denuvo for expansion pre-loads) | | Elden Ring: Nightreign (DLC) | Bandai Namco | June 20, 2025 | Active (Base game still has Denuvo from 2022) |
A static “list of games using Denuvo in 2025” does not exist as a finished, citable paper due to the volatile nature of DRM. However, using the methodology and live trackers above, anyone can generate an accurate list for any given day in 2025. The dataset shows that Denuvo remained uncracked for AAA titles throughout 2025, leading to longer protection windows and more post-launch removals by publishers. Disclaimer: This information is aggregated from public Steam
Recommended citation for this living paper:
[Your Name], “The State of Denuvo Anti-Tamper in PC Gaming: A Live Dataset and Analysis for 2025”, self-published, current as of [date of access], URL: [your GitHub/repo].
As we move deeper into 2025, the battle between game developers and piracy groups continues to rage. At the center of this conflict stands Denuvo, the most controversial and widely used anti-tamper technology in the PC gaming industry.
For gamers, knowing which titles include Denuvo is crucial—whether you are concerned about performance impacts, offline play limitations, or simply want to track the most protected AAA releases of the year.
This article provides the most comprehensive list of games using Denuvo in 2025, including newly announced titles, updated entries, and notable removals.
If you are shopping on Steam, the presence of Denuvo is often obscured. Here is the 2025 checklist: