Final Fantasy 16 No Longer Uses Denuvo After Square Enix Removal

Overview

Square Enix has eliminated Denuvo from the PC iteration of Final Fantasy 16.
The digital rights management (DRM) system has faced criticism for its intrusive nature among gamers.
There are indications that Final Fantasy 16 may soon be available for Xbox Series X/S.

In a recent update, Square Enix has officially removed the Denuvo DRM system from the PC version of Final Fantasy 16 approximately six months post-launch. This move is particularly welcome among players, as Denuvo has been widely perceived as a cumbersome barrier for gamers. The removal is likely to enhance the gameplay experience for those interested in this title on PC.

Initially launched on the PlayStation 5 in June 2023, Final Fantasy 16 garnered significant acclaim from both critics and fans, achieving an impressive average score of 88 on OpenCritic. The game made its way to PC, along with its downloadable content, in September 2024, further expanding its audience.

According to Dark Side of Gaming, the removal of Denuvo comes roughly six months after the game was released on platforms such as Steam and the Epic Games Store. This decision aligns with Square Enix’s previous actions regarding other PC titles, where Denuvo was removed after just a few months to allow for a better user experience. While the effect of this change on the game’s performance remains to be seen, it is noted that previous gameplay did not experience significant stutters, so long as players operated a robust GPU.

Enhanced Gameplay for Final Fantasy 16 & Future Prospects

As the transition to a DRM-free experience is anticipated to be one of the final adjustments for the PC version of Final Fantasy 16, exciting developments regarding additional platforms are also on the horizon. Earlier this year, there were rumors suggesting that an Xbox Series X/S release could be imminent. While the game did not feature in the Xbox Developer Direct as some expected, speculation continues that it will eventually be available on the Xbox platform.

Moreover, fans of Final Fantasy 16 will be pleased to learn that director Hiroshi Takai is already diving into a new project. Reports indicate that this upcoming venture began development in 2025, following the completion of his work on Final Fantasy 16 at the end of 2024. However, details remain limited, leaving fans eager to know more about what this new title might encompass.

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