Technology company IRDETO announced on August 24, local time, Nintendo Switch EMULATOR PROTECTION as a service for the Denuvo game provided by the company. As the name suggests, it seems that the main service is to prevent Play on the Emulator in the title for Nintendo Switch.
DENUVO is a security solution for game titles centered on copy guards. In addition to Denuvo Anti-Tamper, which prevents the use of pirated games for PC games, it has also provided cheat countermeasures DENUVO ANTI-CHEAT and DENUVO SecUREDLC for DLC for DLC. Both are basically targeted for PC titles, and there are many cases of adoption mainly in large game titles in Japan and overseas.
And this time, Nintendo Switch EMULATOR PROTECTION has been announced as a new service. This is unusual for DENUVO, and is a pirated version of the title for console. According to the announcement, the technology mainly focuses on preventing unauthorized game operation in the Nintendo Switch emulator for PCs.
According to iRDETO, in the case of multi-platform development games, even if the PC version is protected to pirated, there is a background that pirated versions can be played relatively early in the Nintendo Switch version in the emulator. Say. Nintendo Switch EMULATOR PROTECTION will prevent such emulator software operation and increase revenue immediately after the game is launched.
In addition, Nintendo Switch EMULATOR PROTECTION is said to be integrated into build tool chains, like other Denuvo techniques. They say they will block gameplay on the emulator without affecting the game experience. In any case, it seems that the main focus is on preventing the operation on the Nintendo Switch emulator, rather than preventing the copied software from the actual Nintendo Switch.
And what is really worrisome is the performance. This is because Denuvo has long been a debate that it may adversely affect the movement of the game. The title includes the past that has been verified by Final Fantasy XV and Resident Evil Village (related article 1, related article 2). In addition, depending on the implementation of each title, Denuvo recruitment titles generally require online authentication. Even in Nintendo Switch Emulator Protection, it is a matter of concern whether it is possible to play in a completely offline environment.
However, as long as the pirated version is flooded, it is natural that the manufacturer will take measures. In addition, there are many parts of the game side copy guard implementation on the effects on performance. It would be quick to hold concerns about Denuvo Anti-Tamper in Nintendo Switch Emulator Protection. I would like to wait for a future title recruitment example so that the technology protects the sales of the game company before the user notices.