DOOM Eternal Update Includes Controversial Denuvo Anti-Cheat, Fans Aren’t Happy

The first real DOOM Eternal update has arrived and while it comes bearing some pretty cool additions to the brutal game, it also brought in something new that has PC players especially in an uproar. The new DOOM Eternal update has added Denuvo Anti-Cheat, an anti-cheating measure that isn’t uncommon in games, though it’s not popular for more than just the obvious reasons. 

All players will see this inclusion when they boot up the game after the new DOOM Eternal update. When prompted, the Denuvo Anti-Cheat will automatically begin its download. While this program isn’t the exact privacy invasion that many fear, it doesn’t scan your personal files or attack information, it does gather how a player’s operating system works alongside playing DOOM and then that information is bounced back to Amazon servers. 

Players have begun to push back against this addition, citing that they don’t feel comfortable giving the game that much access to their systems, especially since when active, it will remain active due to kernal-mode drivers that are rooted within the system itself. A common reaction is an anger by how rooted this addition is regarding one’s personal system, citing that this presents a vulnerability that many aren’t too pleased with. 

New Doom Eternal update
>adds Denuvo Anti Cheat, which is detected as spyware by most antivirus software
>locks Master Levels behind Twitch Prime
>corrupts saves
>some people are reporting the game bricking their PCs
Why does Bethesda hate #DoomEternal so much? pic.twitter.com/mNvVRfbNQ1

— dead_oni (@pixl_man) May 14, 2020

Ah, yiss, the auto-update strikes again! I’m no expert, but last time I checked a non-essential utility for a computer game did not have a kernel-level access to the system… oddly enough, its an anti-cheat and not an anti-piracy measure.https://t.co/AjKVY0TwRs

— Шеогорат (@4E_JL0BEDJL0) May 15, 2020

📢ATTENTION ALL DOOM ETERNAL GAMERS

AS OF THE NEW UPDATE BETHESDA HAS PUT OUT FOR DOOM ETERNAL, IT IS BEST THAT YOU UNINSTALL THE DENUVO ANTI-CHEAT IT HAS PUT INTO YOUR PC

HERE ARE THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR REMOVAL AND SOME CLARIFICATIONS#Doom #DoomEternal pic.twitter.com/OWfRRxzre2

— Mesmua @ Stream Fantastic Damage (@OMesmua) May 15, 2020

The subreddit and social media has become increasingly active over this issue since it went live and as a result, the game’s reviews have taken a significant hit. At this time, Bethesda has yet to address the backlash regarding the Denuvo Anti-Cheat backlash, though we are sure the team is already aware of the growing ire. 

Related: DOOM Eternal Series 2 Brings Carnage and Coffee

As for the game itself, DOOM Eternal is available now on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC, with a Nintendo Switch release coming soon! You can scoop up a copy of the game right here through this link while supporting Prima Games at the same time! 

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• Our full DOOM Eternal game hub here

What do you think about the privacy concerns surrounding the new DOOM Eternal update and the addition of Denuvo Anti-Cheat? Sound off with your thoughts in the poll below, or hit us up over on Twitter @PrimaGames!