Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Abandons Denuvo

Warhorse Studios confirms: Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 will be DRM-free

Contrary to circulating rumors, the highly anticipated sequel, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (KCD2), will launch without any Digital Rights Management (DRM) software, including Denuvo. Developer Warhorse Studios addressed fan concerns directly, clarifying that previous discussions regarding DRM were misconstrued and that the game will be completely DRM-free across all platforms.

This confirmation comes after numerous players inquired about the potential inclusion of DRM, particularly Denuvo, a controversial anti-piracy technology often criticized for impacting game performance. Warhorse Studios' PR head, Tobias Stolz-Zwilling, explicitly stated during a recent Twitch stream that KCD2 will not employ any DRM system whatsoever. He urged players to cease inquiries on this topic, emphasizing that any information contradicting this statement is inaccurate.

The absence of DRM is welcome news for many gamers who have voiced concerns about potential performance issues associated with such technologies. While Denuvo serves as an anti-piracy measure, its implementation has historically sparked negative reactions from players, especially those on PC, due to reported performance problems. Denuvo’s product manager, Andreas Ullmann, has acknowledged the negative perception surrounding the software, attributing it partly to misinformation and confirmation bias.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is set to release in February 2025 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The game, set in medieval Bohemia, follows Henry, a blacksmith apprentice whose village is devastated by tragedy. Players who contributed at least $200 to the game's Kickstarter campaign will receive a free copy.