Merely a week prior to its official launch, Payday 3 developer Starbreeze made an announcement that it has eliminated the anti-piracy software Denuvo from the PC edition of Payday 3.
“Greetings, fellow heisters! We would like to inform you that Denuvo has been completely removed from PAYDAY 3,” stated Starbreeze’s global brand director, Almir Listo, in a Steam update. “We eagerly anticipate your presence in the bustling streets of New York City! Happy heisting!”
The reasons behind Starbreeze’s decision to eliminate Denuvo at such an early stage remain unclear, particularly considering that the game will not be accessible to the general public until September 21. However, those who have purchased the Silver and Gold Editions of the game can already indulge in the gameplay, thanks to the early access privilege. Denuvo, an anti-piracy software, has garnered a somewhat unfavorable reputation, although it is uncertain whether this influenced the decision to abandon it just before the launch, as piracy concerns are typically paramount for companies during this crucial period.
Players generally harbor a distaste for Denuvo due to its notorious tendency to adversely affect game performance on PC (although Denuvo itself refutes these allegations).
Starbreeze has taken a divergent approach from the usual practice of implementing Denuvo shortly before release. In contrast, Capcom adopted this strategy with Street Fighter 6 back in June, and Tango Gameworks followed suit when Ghostwire: Tokyo received its Spider’s Thread update.
Payday 3 is currently available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Moreover, the game will receive a series of post-launch DLC updates within its inaugural year. These updates will encompass four DLC packs, featuring seasonal events, new skill lines, additional weaponry, and quality of life enhancements.