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[IbizaPocholo]

Denuvo Is Aware Of Hypervisor Cracks And Is Working To Combat It

The popular Hypervisor method has made day-and-date cracks of new titles, like Crimson Desert, possible.

www.thegamer.com

In recent weeks, Denuvo, the highly controversial anti-tamper DRM software that is bundled with some of the most popular games released on Steam, has suffered some major hits, thanks to a new exploit being used by pirates called the "Hypervisor Bypass."

Whereas past pirates had to wait until the publisher stopped paying for Denuvo before "cracking" a game, the Hypervisor method has led to day-and-date bypasses of titles, including Crimson Desert and Resident Evil Requiem.

Now, Irdeto, the parent company of Denuvo, has confirmed that it is aware of the methods being used and that it is actively working to combat them.

"We're already working on updated security versions for games impacted by hypervisor bypasses," Daniel Butschek, Irdeto's head of communications, told TorrentFreak. "For players, performance will not be compromised by these strengthened security measures."

As for what those countermeasures are remains to be seen. Butschek did confirm that they will not involve Denuvo moving into deeper kernel levels of Windows, as previously theorized by PC enthusiasts.

"Addressing hypervisor-based workarounds will not require Denuvo to move into Ring -1 or deeper kernel level, and that is not the direction we're pursuing," Butschek said.

Beyond confirming that the company is aware of the ongoing bypasses, Butschek also reiterated an important caveat to the whole Hypervisor method: security.

"Hypervisor‑based bypasses rely on installing a custom, self-signed hypervisor that operates below the Windows kernel, giving it far broader control than a normal driver," Butschek said. "To run, users must disable major Windows security protections such as Virtualization‑Based Security (VBS), Hypervisor‑Enforced Code Integrity (HVCI) and driver signature enforcement, which are designed to prevent kernel‑level malware, rootkits, and ransomware"

Want clearer context on DRM, hypervisor bypasses, and anti-tamper security trade-offs? Subscribing to the newsletter provides in-depth coverage and expert context on these topics so you can understand the technical and policy implications.

Denuvo and Irdeto are doing their part, but it is worth noting that the Hypervisor method has undergone some serious security moderation. There's an entire oversight community and strict rules that pirates adhere to before they become public. Pirates will also urge that there are security concerns with any download and not just specifically Hypervisor.

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

No. Your company should just die.

Edit: Changed my off the cuff response because it sounded bad. However - and this is key - this dude's name (Butschek) sounds like "buttsex." I think that's punishment enough.

 

[KyoZz]

They can try, but Hypervisor is operating at higher level than Denuvo. So it will be bypassed in no time.

"Addressing hypervisor-based workarounds will not require Denuvo to move into Ring -1 or deeper kernel level"
Lmao because they know Microsoft won't give them access. They won't go deeper because they can't

In related news, RE9 has been properly cracked:

Resident Evil Requiem’s Denuvo Cracked in Record Time

The latest version of the Denuvo anti-tamper tech, which was used in Resident Evil Requiem, has been defeated in record time.

www.dsogaming.com

Fuck you Denuvo

 

[winjer]

Imagine making a company dedicated to make games worse for paying consumers.
That is one serious piece of shit of a person.

 

[Guilty_AI]

Alternatively Mr Buttcheeks can just go bankrupt

 

[Gonzito]

Denuvo is Gay

 

[seb85]

I will buy the game , but will still download the cracked version to get better performance, fuck denuvo

 

[TintoConCasera]

Replace Pip with Buttsex.

 

[KyoZz]

Alternatively Mr Buttcheeks can just go bankrupt

They eventually will, all versions of Denuvo can be cracked now:

 

[The_hunter]

I don't pirate games, but I would like it if pc games didn't have denuvo.

 

[Fabieter]

The only way for conpanys to defeat pirates is exclusive streaming future
Otherwise there will always be people who never pay for games.

 

[poodaddy]

Feels good to see Denuvo die out.

Feels right. Feels just.

 

[Zacfoldor]

Hey guys, I just beat Denuvo. I have come up with the BEST way to eliminate piracy of ALL games. I just asked AI. Here's what it said is the best method to prevent piracy(it's not Denuvo):

Convenience: Cloud saves, automatic updates, and integrated mod support (like Steam Workshop) are features pirates rarely get.

Fair Pricing: Regional pricing ensures players in lower-income regions aren't priced out.

Zero DRM (The GOG Model): Platforms like GOG prove that for many games, providing a high-quality, DRM-free installer creates brand loyalty that discourages piracy better than a lockout mechanism.

Sometimes AI isn't slop guys. Sometimes AI is on our side. In this case it's 100% right as is Gabe. Piracy is a service issue.

 

[Fabieter]

Hey guys, I just beat Denuvo. I have come up with the BEST way to eliminate piracy of ALL games. I just asked AI. Here's what it said is the best method to prevent piracy(it's not Denuvo):

Sometimes AI isn't slop guys. Sometimes AI is on our side. In this case it's 100% right as is Gabe. Piracy is a service issue.

I asked ai if thats enough. This was the answer.

No, these strategies help but they don't "beat" piracy — they just reduce it. Here's the honest picture:

What these arguments actually do well:
- They convert *casual* pirates — people who pirate out of convenience or price sensitivity, not principle
- GOG's model genuinely works for a loyal niche audience
- Steam's ecosystem has demonstrably reduced PC piracy compared to the early 2000s

**Where they fall short:**

Hardcore pirates are ideologically motivated — no price point or feature parity changes that. They'll pirate a $0 game on principle.

Day-one cracks still happen for most major releases. The convenience gap closes within days of launch for determined users.

Regional pricing gets circumvented through VPNs and gift card arbitrage, which can actually *hurt* developers when abused at scale.

GOG works for indie/classic games but big live-service titles (Fortnite, Warzone, GTA Online) are essentially **unbootlegable** by design — the real product is the online infrastructure, not the executable.

 

[KungFucius]

I don't pirate games, but I would like it if pc games didn't have denuvo.

All anti-piracy measures result in a worse product for consumers. Even game sharing is hobbled because companies don't want people to take advantage of it. On PS5 I can share to a second PS5, but only 1 other and I can't set all PS5s in the house to fully shared I need to have one that is shared for the kids and one that is me only. PC sharing, can't both play at the same time at all.

Denuvo is a product that adds no value to the consumer and sometimes causes problems. It is bad.

The worst anti consumer DRM bullshit I have ever experienced came from Apple. They put DRM hardware in the iphone to detect whether the accessory hooked up to the port was made by Apple. It was designed to pop up a warning on the phone that you could click past to enable. I bought a phone where this hardware failed and it failed it a way that it could not detect the Apple cable it came with as genuine and caused a minor crash with the popup window and it wouldn't let you charge the phone. So a piece of crap DRM method failed and rendered an expensive phone unable to charge. All in the name of telling people to go buy an expensive Apple charging cable.

This shit is trash everywhere. Companies are spending money to give their customers a worse product because it thinks it will force people into buying something.

 

[RafterXL]

No. Your company should just die.

Edit: Changed my off the cuff response because it sounded bad. However - and this is key - this dude's name (Butschek) sounds like "buttsex." I think that's punishment enough.

Nah, you were right before the edit, piece of shit parasites that only exist to make gaming worse.

I don't pirate games, but I would like it if pc games didn't have denuvo.

When cracked versions of games run better than the version you paid for, you don't need any other excuse to have denuvo or any other DRM.

 

[memoryman3]

Companies are spending money to give their customers a worse product because it thinks it will force people into buying something.

DRM absolutely does impact customer buying habits. If faced with a cheaper deal, customers will absolutely take it.

See: Game Pass effect on full priced game sales.

Denuvo may have actually saved AAA gaming on PC.

 

[Lorianus]

Denuvo may have actually saved AAA gaming on PC.

 

[I wasn't selling any]

"Addressing hypervisor-based workarounds will not require Denuvo to move into Ring -1 or deeper kernel level"
Lmao because they know Microsoft won't give them access. They won't go deeper because they can't

Fuck Denuvo. I really hate the fact that one of my most favorite franchises, Yakuza, uses it in almost every game and are still paying those Denuvo license feed even for games that have already been cracked.

 

[sigmaZ]

They're gonna hate that it's actually been cracked beyond the hypervisor cracks.

 

[Amey]

All eyes on Pragmata

 

[Fabieter]

All eyes on Pragmata

Yeah i hope the first new ip from capcom in 15 years is gonna be fine.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

LMAO fuck em, it's been cracked without hypervisor shit

 

[Laptop1991]

I won't buy games at launch for full price with Denuvo in them, there is no need for it and it just makes it worse for paying customers

 

[Solarstrike]

"Butschek"

 

[poodaddy]

DRM absolutely does impact customer buying habits. If faced with a cheaper deal, customers will absolutely take it.

See: Game Pass effect on full priced game sales.

Denuvo may have actually saved AAA gaming on PC.

 

[Guilty_AI]

DRM absolutely does impact customer buying habits.

It definitely does as in i actively don't buy anything with it on it.

 

[Guilty_AI]

Fuck Denuvo. I really hate the fact that one of my most favorite franchises, Yakuza, uses it in almost every game and are still paying those Denuvo license feed even for games that have already been cracked.

Thankfully they removed it from the main games. You can buy the entire Kiryu series (0 to 6) on GOG, as well as Like a Dragon

 

[The_Mike]

If a game I wanted has denuvo then I avoid it at all cost, and wait for it to get removed unless it's something like getting sniper elite 5 in a bundle for 10 bucks.

 

[BennyBlanco]

Does the cracked re9 run better like re8 did?

 

[Gp1]

Today, with the release of four Hypervisor Bypasses for EA Sports games the Denuvo is now considered fully useless. There are no games with it left which people can't play for free.

Congratulations to every single person who contributed to this over the years, and especially to DenuvOwO team and voices38.

 

[HRK69]

I'm over both Denuvo and Asmongold. If you're wondering why I'm taking shots at him, it's because I feel like it.

 

[The_Mike]

I'm over both Denuvo and Asmongold. If you're wondering why I'm taking shots at him, it's because I feel like it.

 

[winjer]

I'm currently playing Sniper Elite 5, and I was trying to check if DX12 or Vulcan ran best. So after checking performance with DX12 I restart the game change to Vulkan and suddenly there is a warning about an error with Denuvo. And the game crashes.
FFS, this crap is a cancer on the gaming industry.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

You know, the ethics discussion when it comes to piracy is certainly an interesting one. And I just don't think it's as taboo as it used to be.

I know I'm not the only one that's tried some games in the past and frankly, even if I try to forward everything, do people really have the time to be every game that comes out and is available for download? I don't think so.

That's the same thing I mentioned about preservation as well when it comes to old school games from even the PS3 era and further back. There's not even a way to buy these games because companies can't get together and have a system in place so where you can forever monetize. Even nintendo, I've always said they should charge less than $5 for NES games, maybe a couple bucks more at the most for super nintendo, maybe another dollar for N64 and so forth.

I've downloaded games in the past just to try them since there may not be a demo, and I bought plenty of them based on that too. I think when companies break games enough or make them harder to play and then you see the pirated version runs better and even is available sooner sometimes, that one is hard to swallow.

I don't know if it was on Reddit or I just had a video come up randomly but talking about resident evil requiem, I thought I read that it ran just as good if not better with the cracked version versus the retail. If it's significant enough and impeding on progress, I have no if somebody downloads the pirated version especially when they purchased the game.

I think the consumer is being pushed further into the smallest of corners of which I think maybe 20 or 25 years ago we wouldn't be having the same discussion or I wouldn't feel the same about it. But I'm not trying to justify taking somebody's work, it's just I think supporting the industry is good but if you still buy the game and you find a solution in a version that is not official to circumvent performance or other issues, if you purchase the game, what is there to discuss.

You can't hold the consumer at gunpoint and promise you're going to deliver something and then just not do it. That's no different than the bad guy in the movie saying he's going to give the girl back if you give him the money and you know he's just going to go against his word.

 

[Lorianus]

You know, the ethics discussion when it comes to piracy is certainly an interesting one. And I just don't think it's as taboo as it used to be.

I know I'm not the only one that's tried some games in the past and frankly, even if I try to forward everything, do people really have the time to be every game that comes out and is available for download? I don't think so.

That's the same thing I mentioned about preservation as well when it comes to old school games from even the PS3 era and further back. There's not even a way to buy these games because companies can't get together and have a system in place so where you can forever monetize. Even nintendo, I've always said they should charge less than $5 for NES games, maybe a couple bucks more at the most for super nintendo, maybe another dollar for N64 and so forth.

I've downloaded games in the past just to try them since there may not be a demo, and I bought plenty of them based on that too. I think when companies break games enough or make them harder to play and then you see the pirated version runs better and even is available sooner sometimes, that one is hard to swallow.

I don't know if it was on Reddit or I just had a video come up randomly but talking about resident evil requiem, I thought I read that it ran just as good if not better with the cracked version versus the retail. If it's significant enough and impeding on progress, I have no if somebody downloads the pirated version especially when they purchased the game.

I think the consumer is being pushed further into the smallest of corners of which I think maybe 20 or 25 years ago we wouldn't be having the same discussion or I wouldn't feel the same about it. But I'm not trying to justify taking somebody's work, it's just I think supporting the industry is good but if you still buy the game and you find a solution in a version that is not official to circumvent performance or other issues, if you purchase the game, what is there to discuss.

You can't hold the consumer at gunpoint and promise you're going to deliver something and then just not do it. That's no different than the bad guy in the movie saying he's going to give the girl back if you give him the money and you know he's just going to go against his word.

It's cost, plain simple, it's the same damn reason streaming services turned trash just on a longer time frame, the time when a game will cost 100€ are not that far off and many many people are just getting priced out of their hobby.

 

[winjer]

It's cost, plain simple, it's the same damn reason streaming services turned trash just on a longer time frame, the time when a game will cost 100€ are not that far off and many many people are just getting priced out of their hobby.

That is one of the dumbest things that a lot of studios are doing. Increasing game prices, thus reducing the consumer base that can afford or justify such purchase, and then complain the game didn't sell enough copies.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

It's cost, plain simple, it's the same damn reason streaming services turned trash just on a longer time frame, the time when a game will cost 100€ are not that far off and many many people are just getting priced out of their hobby.

For sure. There's many layers to the onion and I'm semi hijacking the thread but the Nuance in the whole subject gives more Credence to, at the very minimum not being able to afford more games or at least the culture of waiting for the price to drop or a sale. I think in one of the podcast, I think it was sacred symbols, they were saying the same thing that I had to learn as well.

Basically I used to buy multiple games a month especially during the 360 PlayStation 3 era. Not only was that not productive and I'm still slightly guilty of that now, I've been a parent and have had little amounts of time compared to when I was a kid. Why I would get four $60 games in a month when there's no rational way of even beating them, it just never made sense.

I recently did buy a few more games knowing that I probably wouldn't have the time but at the very minimum I have the handhelds like the Xbox Rog X and a Nintendo switch 2.

But for the most part I think saving money for later to buy the games is one way for me to alleviate the finance of it. But when it comes to poor preservation and things like that, I have very little issue for people wanting to Pirate a game if they are being priced out of their hobby or simply can't even find the games anymore.

Ultimately I definitely agree with you and you could add that to my argument as well. I think there's been things that seem to be trying to alleviate and make things more efficient but I would have expected it to reflect more and what we are paying for the games but I also understand the modern cost of some of the technology involved which has definitely skewed everything out of proportion.

If the technology sector as a whole isn't careful, they may really damage some industries. The only part of it I take solace in is that computers will always have some degree of development and support for practically every game ever made.

 

[Tobimacoss]

I wondering what counter measures they will come up with for the Hypervisor crack.

Denuvo and publishers should start doing packaged games. Force Steam's hand.

 

[winjer]

I wondering what counter measures they will come up with for the Hypervisor crack.

Denuvo and publishers should start doing packaged games. Force Steam's hand.

Better yet, Denuvo could fuck off and stop causing issues for paying consumers.

 

[Rivdoric]

I wondering what counter measures they will come up with for the Hypervisor crack.

Webcam check.

 

[Tobimacoss]

Webcam check.

Lol, along with govt ID and financial transaction receipt.

 

[SnapShot]

I hope they fail even harder and become an example for the rest of the industry

 

[Ziglax]

I'm convinced that DRMs have always been counter-productive. Someone who can't afford a 50€ game won't magically be able to afford it with Denovo attached. Games in digital stores are also much more convenient to use and update than cracked games, which also convey serious security risks.
And there is also the inevitable overhead caused by these DRMs because all these anti-tampering features don't come CPU-free, and I suspect no one really cares or really have time to work on their optimizations since it's added on post-production binaries.

 

[Rivdoric]

Lol, along with govt ID and financial transaction receipt.

For goodness sake don't give them idea !

 

[Hudo]

So I guess that means that the battlefield against Denuvo DRM has been now shifted completely inside the kernel space, then. What a fucking nightmare all of this shit is. Wasn't there a fucking study wherein they found out that most pirates wouldn't have bought the games either way?

 

[I wasn't selling any]

I wondering what counter measures they will come up with for the Hypervisor crack.

At some point, all games will use always-online-DRM, where part of the game or game's assets won't be available inside the installation and can only be streamed from publisher's servers. There will be some reverse engineering efforts on pirates side, but I think this will be the nail in the coffin for pirates. And for game preservation.

 

[Roman Empire]

Didn't Pragmata get cracked before release?

Denuvo is so fucked.

 

[KyoZz]

At some point, all games will use always-online-DRM

That's not happening.

 

[Kenpachii]

At some point, all games will use always-online-DRM, where part of the game or game's assets won't be available inside the installation and can only be streamed from publisher's servers. There will be some reverse engineering efforts on pirates side, but I think this will be the nail in the coffin for pirates. And for game preservation.

People pirate entire mmo's, won't work.

People buy games even if the games are pirated on day one, cyberpunk/witcher 3 are proof of this and with that many other that don't have denuvo.

What this does is that publishers get a reality check on what people find something worth it or not.