Cover Image for Dragon Age: The Veilguard Will Not Feature Third-Party DRM.
Tue Oct 15 2024

Dragon Age: The Veilguard Will Not Feature Third-Party DRM.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard will not include Denuvo or any third-party digital rights management system, which is great news for PC gamers.

The next installment of the Dragon Age franchise, titled "Dragon Age: The Veilguard," is shaping up to be an appealing release for PC gamers. Publisher Electronic Arts has confirmed that this open-world role-playing game will not include Denuvo or any other digital rights management (DRM) system at its launch on October 31. This information was shared in a blog post, which also details the recommended PC specifications and release times.

While this means that players will not be able to pre-download the game (an option available on Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5), significant benefits are expected. DRM systems are used by game publishers on PC to combat piracy by verifying users' licenses upon starting the game. Although this measure typically works without interfering with gameplay time, it has occasionally caused issues.

For instance, in 2021, some users were unable to access several single-player games offline due to a glitch with Denuvo. If the DRM service goes down or fails to connect to the internet, even offline games can become unplayable. This has raised concerns among players, especially regarding the potential removal of titles, although such situations are less common these days. Additionally, DRM has been criticized for causing performance issues, such as frame rate drops and longer load times. Research has shown that DRM-free versions can perform better than their official counterparts.

By deciding not to include DRM in "Dragon Age: The Veilguard," EA and BioWare have made a positive decision for many PC gamers. Moreover, the game has already been verified for Steam Deck and will not require connection to the EA app, which is not natively supported on this device. Many players prefer to avoid the need for additional accounts or software to enjoy their games on Steam.

The arrival of "Dragon Age: The Veilguard" marks the first new game in this fantasy RPG series in a decade and is expected to be a return to the roots for BioWare following the critically panned "Anthem." Players interested in diving into the game's story can take advantage of the summer sale in the PlayStation store, where "Dragon Age: Inquisition - Game of the Year Edition" is available at a low price, representing a significant discount from its regular price.

Regarding customization options in "Dragon Age: The Veilguard," BioWare has developed an extensive system that allows players to configure various aspects of their gaming experience. Recently, the game director, Corinne Busche, shared details about the many options available, ranging from difficulty and gameplay to character equipment.

The game begins with a cinematic that narrates the story of Solas, an elven god seeking to destroy the Veil, which limits the abilities of his race, even though this comes at a high cost to the world of Thedas. With access to a detailed character creator, "Dragon Age: The Veilguard" promises to deliver an experience where players can "be who they want to be."