The Steam version of Hogwarts Legacy will feature the Denuvo anti-piracy software, which has been met with controversy. Denuvo is a DRM technology that uses anti-tamper software to encrypt game files and requires occasional online verification to prevent piracy and cracking. This means that players must have an internet connection to play the game at all times.
However, it has been reported that the use of Denuvo can result in performance issues, with several games removing the software in post-launch updates. For example, both Rise of the Tomb Raider and Shadow of the Tomb Raider had Denuvo removed due to reports that it was causing the game to run slow. Other games such as Monster Hunter: World and Mass Effect: Legacy Edition also removed Denuvo shortly after launch.
A recent update on the Steam page for Hogwarts Legacy confirmed that a version of the game with the Denuvo anti-piracy software will be sold on Steam. Additionally, a PC version of the game will also be available via the Epic Games Store. However, the listing currently does not mention Denuvo, but that could change before the game’s official release.
The Harry Potter game, which has generated some controversy, is scheduled for release on February 10 for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. A version for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One will be available on April 4, and the game will be available on the Nintendo Switch on July 25.
Since the game was announced, Warner Bros. and Portkey Games have attempted to distance Hogwarts Legacy from J.K. Rowling, the creator of the Harry Potter series, following a series of statements that were criticized as being anti-trans. According to the FAQs, Hogwarts Legacy was not written by J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, but it is said to remain true to her “original vision” of the world.
