Split Fiction, the highly anticipated cooperative adventure game from the creator of It Takes Two, has been pirated just days after its March 6, 2025 release across multiple platforms, including Steam. Despite critical acclaim and positive Steam reviews, the game’s lack of robust DRM, specifically the absence of Denuvo anti-tamper technology, made it vulnerable.
This lack of Denuvo allowed hackers to easily bypass security and distribute pirated copies online within days of launch. This underscores the ongoing challenge developers face in balancing piracy protection with player experience. Many gamers appreciate the absence of intrusive DRM like Denuvo, but this leaves games susceptible to early exploitation.
Developed by the same creative mind behind It Takes Two, Split Fiction is praised for its innovative co-op mechanics, engaging story, and vibrant visuals. Positive early Steam player feedback confirms this enthusiasm, suggesting a worthy successor to Josef Fares’ previous hit. The game offers a unique cooperative journey blending clever puzzles, heartfelt narrative, and dynamic gameplay. Its success with legitimate buyers highlights piracy’s potential negative impact on sales and developer revenue.
The decision to omit Denuvo has reignited the debate surrounding DRM in gaming. While some argue DRM negatively impacts performance and frustrates legitimate players, others see it as a necessary anti-piracy measure. In Split Fiction's case, the lack of DRM may have contributed to its rapid compromise, raising questions about Electronic Arts’ assessment of the speed at which hackers could crack the game.
