Denuvo Unveils New Tech That Will Make It Easier for Devs to Track Down Leakers

With GDC 2024 kicking off today, Irdeto, the developers of the anti-piracy software Denuvo, announced a new tool that will let game developers tack down leaks back to the original source.

Irdeto revealed that TraceMark for Games is a new watermark technology that lets developers add a unique ID to game files. This special marking will, in turn, allow developers to track down where the leaked content originated from and, Irdeto claimed, should discourage leakers from leaking sensitive information. The marking can be visible or invisible, but the invisible watermark is more interesting as developers can hide the watermark technology with leakers, unaware that it is present.

Irdeto noted that the tool is designed to "secure the environment around game development, particularly during the crucial pre-release phase," such as game developers looking to hold beta tests or send out review copies to content creators, influencers, and press. For additional security measures, Irdeto confirmed that TraceMark could be combined with Denuvo's Anti-temper product, allowing studios "to control distribution" of content ahead of its release date.

"With the launch of TraceMark for Gaming, we are setting a new standard in anti-piracy for the gaming industry," Irdeto SVP of New Markets Niels Haverkorn said. "This innovative solution not only marks a significant milestone for Irdeto but also represents a leap forward in protecting the creative and financial investments of game developers worldwide.

"At Irdeto, we understand the unique challenges faced by the gaming community, and TraceMark is our commitment to ensuring that these valuable assets are safeguarded throughout their lifecycle. We are excited to see the positive impact this will have on the industry."

Denuvo is an anti-tampering and DRM software commonly used in big PC releases. However, the software has been criticized for altering the performance of a game, and the always-online mandate has made it unpopular in the PC gaming community.

Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.