Digital Rights Management (DRM) Explained

Rockstar Social Club

Dec 19, 2018, 12:16 Fyra Frost DRM

Activating a Rockstar CD key : The first thing you will need is a CD key for a Rockstar game. Then you need to go to Rockstar Social Club website.

Activating a Rockstar CD key : The first thing you will need is a CD key for a Rockstar game. Then you need to go to Rockstar Social Club website to create an account if you do not have one already. Once you have logged in to your account, you will be able to navigate through their site to activate, download and install your games, like GTA V for example. Click on the Rockstar icon on...

How to Activate Your Game on Battle.net

Dec 21, 2018, 13:21 Fyra Frost DRM

Activating a product on Battle.net : Once you have purchased your game and you have your CD key, you will have to visit Battle.net website.

Activating a product on Battle.net : Once you have purchased your game and you have your CD key, you will have to visit Battle.net page to activate your game. If you don't have a Battle.net account you will have to create one. Once you log in, you will have to navigate through the website to activate your CD key, download, and install your game. Simply click on the "Shop" tab on the upper right menu and once there select the "Services"...

How to Activate a Steam Product Key

May 12, 2021, 14:53 Sacha Loric DRM

Everything you need to know about how to activate a game using a Steam CD key or code.

If you obtained a Steam product from an outside retailer, you will want to know how to activate a game using a Steam CD key or code. A key is an alphanumeric code that you may find in the physical packaging of the game or in the email confirmation sent by the retailer. Say you’ve got your brand new Steam CD key--congratulations, you’re the proud owner of a new game! All that’s left is to activate it. You can do this...

How to Activate an Origin CD Key

May 14, 2021, 18:00 Sacha Loric DRM

This guide will show you how to activate an Origin CD key and download a game from Origin.

This guide will walk you through how to activate an Origin CD key. Origin is a digital distribution platform for Electronic Arts Games, makers of such hits as Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order and Dead Space. A product key, on the other hand, is an alphanumeric code that you may find in the physical packaging of the game or in the email confirmation sent by the retailer. There are two ways of activating a CD key on Origin: through the Origin...

How to Activate a CD Key on Ubisoft Connect

May 16, 2021, 15:14 Sacha Loric DRM

If you got a CD key for a Ubisoft game, you’ll want to know how to activate a CD key on Ubisoft Connect.

If you got a CD key for a Ubisoft game, you’ll definitely want to know how to activate a CD key on Ubisoft Connect. Ubisoft Connect is Ubisoft’s digital distribution and DRM platform. With it, you can purchase and download games such as the ones in the Assassin’s Creed series, The Division series, Watch Dogs, Rainbow Six, and more. A CD key is an alphanumeric code that you may find in the physical packaging of the game or in the email confirmation sent...

How to Activate CD Keys on Epic Games

May 19, 2021, 11:57 Sacha Loric DRM

If you have acquired a CD key for Epic games, you will definitely want to know how to activate it. This guide will show you how.

Now that you have acquired a key for a new game, you will definitely want to know how to activate CD keys on Epic Games. This guide will walk you through that. A CD key, also known as a product code or game key, is an alphanumeric code that you may find in the game's physical packaging or the email confirmation sent by the retailer. There are two ways to activate CD keys on Epic Games: either through the Epic Games Launcher...

How to Activate CD keys on GOG Galaxy

May 22, 2021, 15:18 Sacha Loric DRM

Got a new game from GOG? Need to know how to activate CD keys on GOG Galaxy? This guide can help you. GOG Galaxy, GOG’s client for installing, playing, and updating games, is a great tool for cataloging and managing your collection. The first thing you need is to download the latest version here. Now that you have the app installed, here’s how to activate CD keys on GOG Galaxy: Log in to GOG Galaxy...

How to Activate CD Keys on Battle.net

May 24, 2021, 17:49 Sacha Loric DRM

If you bought or received a Blizzard game, the next logical step is figuring out how to activate CD keys on Battle.net. Firstly, Battle.net is Blizzard Entertainment’s digital distribution and DRM, featuring several popular game series such as Overwatch, Diablo, Starcraft, Hearthstone, Heroes of the Storm, World of Warcraft, and Call of Duty. Meanwhile, a CD key is an alphanumeric code that lets you download and activate a game from a distributor. It is typically found on the physical packaging of the game...

How to Activate CD Keys on Bethesda.net

Jun 2, 2021, 19:03 Sacha Loric DRM

Now that you have a brand new Bethesda game, your next step is learning how to activate CD keys on Bethesda.net. Firstly, a CD key is an alphanumeric code that lets you download and activate a game from a distributor. It is typically found on the physical packaging of the game or in the email confirmation sent by the retailer. There are two ways how to activate CD keys on Bethesda.net: through the launcher app or through the website itself. Note that...

How to Activate a CD Key on Rockstar Social Club

Jun 7, 2021, 18:39 Sacha Loric DRM

Have you got a game code or CD Key for Rockstar Games? You’ll want to know how to activate a CD key from the Rockstar Social Club.

Have you got a game code or CD Key for Rockstar Games? You’ll want to know how to activate a CD key from the Rockstar Social Club. First of all, a CD key is an alphanumeric code that lets you download and activate a game from a distributor. It is typically found on the physical packaging of the game or in the email confirmation sent by the retailer. You can download Rockstar games from the Rockstar Social Club, their DRM for select...

Humankind Drops DRM Denuvo Before Release

Aug 16, 2021, 12:00 Sacha Loric DRM

The studio behind the highly anticipated 4X strategy game Humankind has announced that they are removing the controversial DRM Denuvo ahead of release.

The studio behind the highly anticipated 4X strategy game Humankind has announced that they are removing the controversial DRM Denuvo ahead of the game’s launch this August. Amplitude Studios creative director Romain de Waubert wrote that the Denuvo implementation is “not good enough” and will be wholly taken out of Humankind. The studio arrived at this decision after a series of beta tests conducted at the end of 2020. There are currently no plans to reapply Denuvo in...

Steam Quietly Blocks All Games with Cryptocurrency and NFTs

Oct 19, 2021, 11:30 Sacha Loric DRM

All games that feature cryptocurrencies and NFTs are now disallowed in the Steam platform

In a surprise move, Valve has introduced a new provision that bans games that feature cryptocurrencies and NFTs from its Steam digital distribution platform. The new regulation shows up in the heading What You Shouldn’t Publish On Steam, in the onboarding documentation for partners and Steamworks users. 13. Applications built on blockchain technology that issue or allow exchange of cryptocurrencies or NFTs. As it stands, Valve is banning new games and...

Steam removing highest and lowest discounts

Feb 23, 2022, 09:34 Sacha Loric DRM

Steam is adjusting its rules: no more games with discounts of over 90% and below 10%.

Buyers of games on Steam will want to take note of these changes the platform is making on their discount system. According to Steamworks Documentation blog, Valve is amending rules on discounts. Primarily, they will alter the “discount cooldown period,” reducing the cooldown to just four weeks (28 days) from the original six weeks. Next, they will also remove the ability of publishers and developers to create discounts of over 90% and below 10%. These changes...

Bethesda is retiring its launcher and returning to Steam

Feb 23, 2022, 10:48 Sacha Loric DRM

Come April, players using Bethesda.net Launcher may start migrating their games to Steam.

Come early April, the Bethesda.net Launcher will be no more. Bethesda has announced that it is retiring its launcher and moving all its games back to Steam. Players who own Bethesda games need not worry—all their purchased games will still be available to download for free on Steam. You may also migrate your Wallet to the platform. According to Bethesda: “You will not lose anything from your Bethesda.net account. Many games will also have their saves migrated, with a few requiring some manual...

How to migrate Bethesda games to Steam

Apr 29, 2022, 16:08 Sacha Loric DRM

The Bethesda Launcher will be formally retired on May 11, 2022. Start migrating your games.

As reported earlier, by May 11 Bethesda will be shutting down its Launcher and going back to Steam. It’s highly advisable that those who bought games using this platform make sure their games have properly migrated to the new (old?) platform. For most game owners, this isn’t a problem. To begin the process, this is what you should do: Log into your Bethesda account on the website. Click on your account...

Denuvo’s new version targets DLC piracy

Jul 4, 2022, 12:10 Sacha Loric DRM

There’s a new version of Denuvo that takes aim at DLC piracy, and it’s apparently already out in the wild. The Denuvo SecureDLC is already ingrained.

There’s a new version of Denuvo that takes aim at DLC piracy, and it’s apparently already out in the wild. The Denuvo SecureDLC is already ingrained in Denuvo anti-tamper software, and its function is to block attacks and unauthorized access—in particular, to prevent the illegal acquisition of DLCs for F2P games, where players pay money for gear and cosmetics. According to Denuvo press release: "While selling additional content is an important revenue stream, it has become easy...

Denuvo coming to Nintendo Switch

Sep 1, 2022, 16:55 Sacha Loric DRM

The controversial DRM Denuvo has announced plans to create a product protecting Nintendo games from emulators. Will publishers bite?

Digital security company Irdeto has announced plans to have its anti-piracy software and DRM Denuvo provide coverage for Nintendo Switch games. From Irdeto’s point of view, most PC games currently have protection against piracy, but when they move to Switch, the games are quickly emulated and played, ironically, on the PC. Denuvo plans to block all emulation using their new product, Nintendo Switch Emulator Protection. Their website minces no words about it: “Emulating any Nintendo Switch game on a PC is easy. And...

New EA App launched, will replace Origin

Oct 9, 2022, 17:35 Sacha Loric DRM

Announced in 2020, the new EA App is designed to be a faster, smoother, more reliable alternative to the Origin launcher.

Announced two years ago, the EA App was designed to upgrade the Origin launcher and DRM for PC. As of today, the EA app is ready to go, and will replace Origin in the coming days. You may download it at the EA homepage. According to their homepage, "The EA app is our fastest and lightest PC client to date. With the new streamlined design you will easily find the games and...

Steam tests out free trial system starting with Dead Space

May 19, 2023, 15:49 Sacha Loric DRM

Play for free and see if roaming the monster-filled Ishimura is your idea of a good time.

Valve has just introduced a new trial system for video games on its Steam platform. From now until May 29, you can take EA’s Dead Space remake on a 90-minute playtest to see if you like it. Check out the Dead Space trailer right here: Free to play...

DRMs