Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Confirmed to Launch Without DRM

The medieval action-RPG Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (KCD 2) will not feature any digital rights management (DRM) tools upon its release, as confirmed by developer Warhorse Studios. This announcement comes in response to widespread concerns and claims from the gaming community that KCD 2 would incorporate DRM.

Warhorse Studios Clarifies No DRM for KCD 2

During a recent Twitch showcase, Tobias Stolz-Zwilling, the head of PR at Warhorse Studios, addressed these concerns directly. "The exact situation is that KCD 2 will not have Denuvo in there," Tobias stated, "it will not have any DRM system at all. We never confirmed it. There were some discussions of course. There was some misalignment, there was some misinformation, but at the end of the day there won’t be any Denuvo at all."

Tobias also urged gamers to stop spamming the developers with questions about DRM. "With that, I would like you to close the case already. Stop [going under] every post we do asking ‘Is Denuvo in the game?’" He emphasized that any rumors or claims about DRM in KCD 2 are unfounded unless officially announced by Warhorse Studios.

Understanding the Controversy Around DRM

Digital Rights Management, particularly Denuvo, has been a contentious topic in the gaming community due to its association with performance issues. Many gamers, especially on PC, have expressed frustration over Denuvo's impact on gameplay, claiming it can render games unplayable in some instances.

Andreas Ullmann, a product manager for Denuvo, has responded to the criticism, suggesting that the negative perception stems from misinformation and confirmation bias. He described the backlash against Denuvo as "very toxic."

Release and Availability

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is set to release in February 2025 and will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The game continues the story of Henry, a blacksmith-in-training, in Medieval Bohemia as he navigates the aftermath of his village's devastating fate.

Fans who pledged at least $200 during KCD 2's Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign will receive a free copy of the game.