Square Enix has recently made waves in the gaming community by releasing an update for the PC version of Final Fantasy 16 on March 4, 2025, which removed the previously utilized Denuvo anti-tamper technology. This decision, though surprising to many, has had immediate repercussions, with several versions of the game evidently popping up on torrent sites shortly after the update, reportedly weighing around 150 gigabytes.
Final Fantasy 16 was initially launched on PlayStation 5 on June 22, 2023, before reaching PC users much later, around September 2024. The game quickly garnered accolades, achieving a commendable score of 88 on OpenCritic, based on numerous reviews. Critics have hailed it as one of the standout action-RPGs of the period, drawing comparisons to the epic storytelling and intrigue reminiscent of Game of Thrones.
John, the founder and Editor-in-Chief at DSOGaming, shared his thoughts, stating: "Final Fantasy 16 is a game I thoroughly enjoyed. Its setting was great and, compared to other titles, it has no DLC bait or sequel bait." This reflects the sentiments of many players who appreciate the game's complete narrative without unnecessary hooks for additional content.
While Denuvo was once employed to combat piracy and protect launch sales, Square Enix has previously followed the trend of removing this protective layer from other games, including The Diofield Chronicle, VALKYRIE ELYSIUM, and Forspoken. This suggests their strategy might focus on relying on strong initial sales and community reception instead of long-term protection measures. Interestingly, their move to eliminate Denuvo from Final Fantasy 16 aligns with industry precedent, where other publishers, such as KRAFTON, Gearbox, and Warner Bros., have also opted to remove or not renew Denuvo for their titles after the launch window.
Though the removal of Denuvo typically stirs up mixed feelings—some celebrating the freedom it brings, others pointing to the ramifications of piracy—it's worth noting how the shift indicates greater awareness among developers and publishers about player experience versus anti-piracy measures. John emphasized, "Square Enix shows how publishers should be using Denuvo. Yes, you can use it to protect your games during their launch period. There is no point using it after six or twelve months." This thoughtful consideration of the player experience may well lead to improved relationships between developers and their communities.
With the technical capabilities of modern hardware, Final Fantasy 16 takes full advantage of advanced graphics technologies. Specifically, playing at 4K resolution on systems equipped with the NVIDIA RTX 5090 allows gamers to experience incredibly high framerates without significant input lag issues. For many players, the graphical fidelity and performance are key drivers for their engagement with AAA titles like this one.
Interestingly, Square Enix's gradual release of titles without Denuvo could encourage market competitors to rethink their own strategies aimed at protecting intellectual property. Several high-profile titles have shed Denuvo recently, including those from BANDAI NAMCO and Bethesda, highlighting the trend as more options become available for gamers and developers alike.
While some might be tempted to dabble with the pirated versions now circulating, it’s worth considering John’s perspective: “If you end up liking it, purchase it to show Square Enix it’s on the right track. Have fun!” This sentiment captures the balance between accessibility and industry support, underscoring the importance of recognizing quality games.
With the gaming community continuing to engage dynamically with publishers and developers, the conversations surrounding Denuvo showcase broader themes of consumer demand, corporate strategies, and the shifting landscapes of gaming experiences. Square Enix’s latest actions not only reflect changing attitudes toward digital rights management but also reaffirm the potential for great titles to remain successful without over-reliance on protective technologies.
Overall, the update for Final Fantasy 16 and the removal of Denuvo may represent more than just changes to one game; they may indicate significant shifts within the gaming industry as it continues to adapt to the demands of modern players and technology.