Asmongold accuses Denuvo of “gaslighting” players by claiming DRM benefits games

As a dedicated gamer and long-time Twitch follower, I find myself firmly aligned with Asmongold‘s perspective on this matter. Like him, I’ve spent countless hours in virtual worlds, pouring my time and resources into the games I love. The idea that DRM is somehow an enhancement or upgrade to our gaming experience is, quite frankly, laughable.


As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but express my disagreement with the assertions made by Denuvo, the anti-piracy company, who argue that Digital Rights Management (DRM) enhances gaming experiences. From my perspective, it seems more like an unnecessary hindrance rather than an improvement, as stated by the influential Twitch streamer Asmongold.

As a dedicated gamer who prefers PC gaming, I can’t stand Denuvo – that anti-piracy software. It often seems to interfere with my game’s performance in a way that makes me question whether it’s worth the supposed anti-piracy benefits.

During an interview with Rock Paper Shotgun, the software’s product manager, Andreas Ullmann, argued that many players fail to recognize the advantages of Digital Rights Management (DRM), a system designed to regulate and restrict user access and sharing of content.

Ullmann cited a research indicating that piracy could potentially claim 20% of a video game’s earnings and contended: “I believe it poses a significant challenge for gamers. As a gamer myself, I speak from experience. It’s difficult for us, as gamers, to grasp the immediate advantage for us when a specific game developer or publisher is utilizing anti-piracy services.

[DRM] may not provide immediate advantages for me as a player, but if you consider the long-term perspective, the greater the success of a game, the more frequent updates it will receive. This means more additional content for the game, increasing the likelihood of a sequel or new version. Essentially, these are the benefits we aim to provide to the average player.

The conversation initially circulated within the gaming community, eventually catching the notice of Asmongold. Unfortunately, due to a two-week ban imposed on him for contentious statements made on Twitch, he’s been unable to stream live.

The advantage of having anti-piracy measures in a game is primarily understood as increased sales leading to better quality games down the line, rather than providing immediate benefits for players. So, if you feel that anti-piracy measures are necessary for your game, by all means, implement them. However, let’s refrain from suggesting that these measures enhance the gaming experience or imply that customers are less intelligent when discussing piracy.

— Zack (@Asmongold) October 23, 2024

He forcefully argued that there’s little direct advantage for players when anti-piracy measures are implemented in games, beyond the theoretical boost of increased sales leading to better games down the line. He asserted that if a game requires anti-piracy measures, by all means implement them. However, he strongly advised against trying to deceive or belittle customers by suggesting these measures are some form of upgrade.

When someone responded about how Denuvo hurts game performance and should be removed, he further offered up an anecdote, comparing DRM software to going to a store that has a problem with shoplifting.

He mused, “Perhaps I’m peculiar, but I see Digital Rights Management (DRM) as much of an inconvenience as having to ask a store associate to open a locked display case at Walmart to get a dozen socks. It’s frustrating, time-consuming, and detracts from the overall experience, but I can appreciate why it is put in place.

Perhaps I find Digital Rights Management (DRM) similar to needing assistance at a store like Walmart to open a locked display case for a 12-pack of socks. It’s an added hassle, takes up more time, and detracts from the overall experience. Yet, I can comprehend and acknowledge its purpose.

— Zack (@Asmongold) October 23, 2024

On October 29th, I expect my Twitch ban will be lifted. Once unbanned, I’m eager to resume voicing my thoughts on contentious gaming topics, including Denuvo and other anti-piracy software, which I believe are worth discussing.

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2024-10-24 22:48