Denuvo removed from InZOI ahead of early access release date after community backlash

While most gamers have responded positively to InZOI, the discovery of Denuvo raised concerns. The anti-piracy measure has proven effective but can impact performance, depending on its implementation. Adding to the outcry, the publisher didn't disclose its use on the game's Steam page. Fortunately, the InZOI Producer and Director announced the removal of Denuvo from the early access build.

A Steam Denuvo Games Group moderator detected that the game was connecting to a domain owned by the anti-piracy technology. Days before the InZOI release date, a response from the title's development team confirmed its inclusion. Still, the good news for players is it won't remain in the game's code for long.

Hyungjun 'Kjun' Kim posted a lengthy response on Discord to criticisms surrounding Denuvo. The director apologized to players for including the DRM without notifying them. While he doesn't confirm whether Denuvo will return in future builds, it seems unlikely to reappear during early access.

Kjun hints that removing Denuvo could lead to cracked versions of InZOI. Still, he hopes it will encourage endless custom content, with official mod support expected in May. Removing the protection eliminates any chance of it interfering with these creations. Also, some buyers avoid games with Denuvo, claiming it negatively impacts performance. As Kjun explains, having as many players as possible invest in the title will contribute to its long-term success.

If InZOI takes the same path as The Sims 4, DLC will earn Krafton more than the base game itself. After the early access InZOI release date on March 28th, developers plan to release cosmetics and items every three months. Players can also expect at least one major DLC during the testing period. However, for now, the content is included in the $40 cost of the early access version.