Split Fiction, the highly anticipated cooperative adventure game from the creator of It Takes Two, has unfortunately been pirated just days after its March 6, 2025 release across multiple platforms, including Steam. Despite positive critical reception and enthusiastic early Steam reviews, the game's lack of robust DRM, specifically the absence of Denuvo anti-tamper technology, made it a quick target for hackers.
This lack of Denuvo significantly reduced the game's security, allowing for relatively easy circumvention of its protection measures. Consequently, pirated copies of Split Fiction rapidly spread across online piracy platforms, enabling unauthorized access to the complete game.
This incident underscores the ongoing tension developers face: balancing player experience (often negatively impacted by intrusive DRM like Denuvo) with the need to protect their intellectual property from piracy. Many gamers appreciate the absence of performance-impacting DRM, but this leaves games vulnerable to immediate exploitation upon release.
Developed by the same creative force behind the acclaimed It Takes Two, Split Fiction has earned praise for its innovative co-op mechanics, compelling narrative, and stunning visuals. Positive Steam player feedback confirms this, suggesting the game is a worthy successor to Josef Fares' previous hit. The game's engaging blend of puzzles, heartfelt storytelling, and dynamic gameplay has resonated with legitimate buyers, highlighting the potential financial impact of piracy on sales and developer revenue.
The decision to omit Denuvo has reignited the debate surrounding DRM in gaming. While some argue that DRM negatively affects performance and frustrates legitimate players, others view it as crucial for piracy prevention. In Split Fiction's case, the absence of DRM likely contributed to its rapid compromise, raising questions about whether Electronic Arts underestimated the speed and efficiency of modern piracy groups.
