The developer of inZOI has issued an apology for initially including Denuvo DRM in the game and has committed to its removal. This decision comes after the community's feedback highlighted the controversial nature of Denuvo, which has long been criticized for potentially impacting game performance. Denuvo is an anti-tamper technology intended to curb the piracy and illegal distribution of PC games. However, its presence in the Creative Studio mode demo sparked concerns among players, especially those interested in modding.
In a detailed Steam blog post dated March 26, inZOI Director Hyungjun 'Kjun' Kim announced that the upcoming Early Access build, scheduled for release on March 28, 2025, will be free of DRM. "We initially chose to implement Denuvo as a way to protect the game from illegal distribution. At the time, we believed this would help ensure fairness for players who had properly purchased the game. However, after taking a closer look at community feedback, we quickly realized that this approach did not align with what our players wanted," Kjun explained. He also expressed regret for not informing players about Denuvo's inclusion in the Creative Studio mode demo.
Kjun further noted that while removing DRM might increase the risk of the game being cracked and distributed illegally, it would significantly enhance the game's modding capabilities. "We believe enabling this freedom from the very beginning will lead to innovative and long-lasting enjoyment for the community," he stated. This move aligns with inZOI's goal to be a highly moddable game, a vision that Kjun reiterated during the Online Showcase. The first stage of official mod support, set to launch in May, will allow players to use tools like Maya and Blender to create custom content. Kjun also teased future expansions of mod support across various aspects of the game.
inZOI's commitment to modding was one of the reasons the inclusion of Denuvo was so surprising to players, as it typically hinders modding activities. Krafton, the company behind inZOI, continues to prioritize player feedback, making necessary adjustments to enhance the gaming experience.
inZOI is slated for an Early Access release on PC on March 28, 2025, with a full launch planned for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. While the exact date for the full release remains undisclosed, players can stay updated on the latest developments by following our coverage.
