Security software company Denuvo announced its anti-piracy protection software is now supported on Nintendo Switch. The exact effects of Denuvo on Nintendo Switch performance are currently unknown, but the company shared a statement regarding the announcement.
Denuvo is a common point of contention due to its clear effects on performance for PC games. Now, the technology is available on Nintendo Switch for developers to utilize through various tools.
Denuvo Tries to Block Switch to PC Emulation
A new post by the official Denuvo by Irdeto (X) Twitter account confirms that Denuvo technology is now authorized as middleware on the Nintendo Developer Portal. This means that developers may now use Denuvo to hinder piracy and emulation efforts on the platform. Its new Nintendo Switch Emulator Protection also blocks the ability to play Switch games on PC via emulation. However, it’s clear that users will attempt to bypass the software on Nintendo Switch.
“Even if a game is protected against piracy on its PC version, the version released on Nintendo Switch can be emulated from day one and played on PC, therefore bypassing the strong protections offered on the PC version,” Irdeto said. “This can happen with any of the numerous games available on Nintendo Switch.
“By blocking unauthorized emulations on PC, studios are able to increase their revenue during the game launch window, which is the most important period for monetization. The Nintendo Switch Emulator Protection will ensure that anyone wishing to play the game has to buy a legitimate copy.
“As with all other Denuvo solutions, the technology integrates seamlessly into the build toolchain with no impact on the gaming experience. It then allows for the insertion of checks into the code, which blocks gameplay on emulators.”
Irdeto CEO Doug Lowther added, “As gamers, we know first-hand how piracy negatively affects the gaming industry. We’re thrilled to be part of the Nintendo Developers Portal, so that we can provide the latest technologies to help fight this issue for Nintendo Switch players and developers. We witness an increasing need to protect against emulation on PC from game launch, our solution is a must have for publishers to monetize the games fairly on this platform and also not impact PC game sales.”
