The eagerly awaited cooperative adventure game, Split Fiction, created by the mastermind behind It Takes Two, has unfortunately become a target of piracy shortly after its official release on March 6, 2025. Launched across multiple platforms, including PC via Steam, the game quickly garnered both player interest and unwanted attention from hackers.
Despite earning critical acclaim and positive early reviews on Steam, Split Fiction was rapidly cracked due to the absence of strong DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection. Electronic Arts chose not to implement Denuvo, a commonly used anti-tamper technology, making the game more susceptible to unauthorized access. The absence of Denuvo allowed hackers to easily bypass security measures, leading to the game's distribution on piracy platforms within days of its launch.
This situation underscores the ongoing struggle developers face in safeguarding their games from piracy while maintaining a balance between player accessibility and performance. Many gamers appreciate the absence of intrusive DRM systems like Denuvo, but this also leaves games more vulnerable to exploitation shortly after their release.
Split Fiction, crafted by the visionary behind It Takes Two, has received praise from critics for its innovative cooperative mechanics, compelling storytelling, and vibrant visuals. Early player feedback on Steam mirrors this enthusiasm, with many considering the game a worthy follow-up to Josef Fares' previous work.
The game offers players a unique cooperative journey, combining clever puzzles, heartfelt narrative moments, and dynamic gameplay. Its success among legitimate buyers highlights the potential negative impact of piracy on sales and the developer's revenue.
The decision to exclude Denuvo protection from Split Fiction has reignited debates about the role of DRM in modern gaming. While some argue that DRM can adversely affect game performance and frustrate legitimate players, others believe it's a crucial deterrent against piracy. In the case of Split Fiction, the lack of DRM may have facilitated its quick compromise, prompting questions about whether Electronic Arts underestimated the speed at which hackers could act.