DRM Index

Denuvo is not strictly a DRM itself, but an Anti-Tamper solution designed to protect existing DRMs (like Steam, Epic, or Origin) from being reverse-engineered and cracked. It works by heavily obfuscating the game's executable code and checking CPU signatures.

The Custom Executable Generation (CEG) creates a unique copy of the game executable for the specific user downloading it. Steam's standard DRM wraps the executable to ensure the Steam Client is running and authenticated.

A sophisticated anti-tampering software that injects guards directly into the binary code. It is highly customized per application, looking for memory debuggers, disassemblers, and unauthorized patches.

A very basic platform verification check implemented for titles sold exclusively or simultaneously on the Epic Games Store.

SecuROM was heavily utilized during the CD/DVD era of PC gaming. It checked for specific physical anomalies pressed onto authentic optical discs to prevent 1:1 image cloning (like ISO/MDS). Later iterations added online activation limits.

An aggressive Russian DRM that installed hidden system drivers operating at Ring-0 (kernel level). It performed deep hardware checks and notoriously blocked optical emulators like Daemon Tools or Alcohol 120%.

VMProtect converts standard x86/x64 processor instructions into an unknown bytecode that runs on a custom virtual machine within the game process. It makes static analysis and debugging incredibly painful.