Resident Evil 4 Remake's New PC DRM Impacts CPU Performance

Overview

Technical analysis outlet Digital Foundry has released test results showing that recently added DRM to the PC version of Resident Evil 4 Remake negatively impacts game performance. The testing revealed increased CPU usage and frame drops.

New DRM Addition

Capcom recently added new DRM protection technology to Resident Evil 4 Remake's PC version through a patch. This anti-piracy measure introduced an additional security layer that wasn't present at launch.

Many PC gamers reported experiencing performance degradation after this patch, prompting Digital Foundry to conduct detailed testing to verify these claims.

Performance Impact Analysis

Digital Foundry's testing revealed the following performance degradation after DRM addition:

Increased CPU usage: DRM verification processes run continuously in the background, consuming CPU resources

Frame drops: Temporary frame rate decreases in specific scenes

Extended loading times: Increased loading during game start and scene transitions

Stuttering: Intermittent micro-stuttering

The impact was more pronounced on systems with mid-range CPUs. While high-end systems showed less effect, measurable performance differences still existed.

DRM and Game Performance

The impact of game DRM on performance has long been controversial in the PC gaming community. DRM technologies like Denuvo have been criticized for degrading the experience of legitimate purchasers despite their anti-piracy effectiveness.

In Resident Evil 4 Remake's case, the game launched without such invasive DRM. However, a recent patch added it, causing legitimate buyers to experience performance degradation.

Community Response

The PC gaming community is strongly opposing Capcom's decision. On Reddit's r/pcgaming, the news received over 500 upvotes with heated discussion.

Many players questioned "why add DRM months after release?" Some criticized it as "treating legitimate buyers like criminals."

Recent negative reviews on Steam are increasing, with many users demanding DRM removal.

Capcom's Position

Capcom has not yet issued an official statement on this issue. The company has historically not changed DRM policies despite similar criticism in the past.

Future Outlook

Gamers hope Capcom will remove the DRM or at least release a patch minimizing performance impact. However, it's uncertain whether the company will respond to these demands.

This incident has reignited debate about the legitimacy of game DRM and its impact on legitimate purchasers.