007: First Light drops last-minute Denuvo DRM bombshell, leaving pre-order customers and fans furious — Bond title risks FPS drops and strict online check-ins, Pirates eagerly await repack as day-one cracks become the norm

May 24, 2026 - 08:25

The upcoming James Bond game, 007: First Light, has sparked major backlash after its publisher quietly removed Denuvo anti-tamper software just days before launch. Pre-order customers and longtime fans are furious, accusing the studio of pulling a bait-and-switch. Many had purchased the game early specifically because it promised Denuvo protection, hoping it would prevent performance issues and online check-ins that have plagued other titles.

Instead, the last-minute decision means the game now risks frame rate drops and requires strict online verification, exactly the problems Denuvo was supposed to avoid. Critics argue that the move undermines trust, especially since every single version of Denuvo has already been cracked by pirates in the past. The timing has also drawn ridicule, as day-one cracks have become the norm for major releases. Pirates are already waiting for a repack, and the removal of DRM does little to stop them. For paying customers, the change feels like a slap in the face, leaving them with a product that performs worse than expected. The controversy highlights a growing frustration in the gaming community, where DRM decisions often hurt legitimate buyers more than they deter piracy.