The eagerly awaited cooperative adventure game, Split Fiction, from the visionary behind It Takes Two, has unfortunately become a target of piracy shortly after its launch on March 6, 2025. Available on various platforms, including PC via Steam, the game quickly captured the interest of both eager players and determined hackers.
Despite earning critical acclaim and glowing early reviews on Steam, Split Fiction's lack of robust DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection made it an easy mark for piracy. Electronic Arts chose not to use Denuvo, a commonly employed anti-tamper technology, which left the game more susceptible to unauthorized distribution. This decision facilitated hackers in cracking the game and spreading it across piracy networks just days after its release, allowing unauthorized access to the full game without purchase.
This incident underscores the persistent challenge developers face in safeguarding their creations from piracy while striving to maintain player accessibility and performance. While many gamers appreciate games without intrusive DRM like Denuvo, the absence of such measures can leave titles vulnerable to piracy soon after launch.
Crafted by the innovative mind that brought us It Takes Two, Split Fiction has been celebrated for its groundbreaking cooperative mechanics, compelling narrative, and stunning visuals. Enthusiastic feedback from early players on Steam highlights the game as a commendable follow-up to Josef Fares' previous work.
The game offers a distinctive cooperative experience, combining ingenious puzzles, emotionally engaging storytelling, and dynamic gameplay. Its popularity among paying customers emphasizes the potential adverse effects of piracy on sales and the developer's earnings.
The choice to exclude Denuvo from Split Fiction has reignited debates about the necessity and impact of DRM in contemporary gaming. Critics of DRM argue that it can degrade game performance and alienate legitimate players, while proponents see it as a critical tool for deterring piracy.
In the context of Split Fiction, the omission of DRM likely played a role in its swift piracy, prompting questions about whether Electronic Arts underestimated the agility of hackers. This situation continues to fuel discussions on how best to balance game protection with player experience and satisfaction.
