- 2K is reportedly working with Denuvo to add mandatory 14-day checks to some of its PC games.
- This is a direct response to Denuvo being cracked across multiple titles following hypervisor exploits.
- The new requirement is also not clearly stated in Steam, in the EULA, or at the time of purchase.
All the controversies aside, Denuvo used to be the standout shield against piracy in gaming, as traditional cracks are rare and incredibly hard to pull off when the anti-cheat is involved. This system changed entirely with the emergence of hypervisor bypasses.
Now, each game with Denuvo can be bypassed within hours after release using a kernel-level hypervisor.
A new report suggests that 2K is reportedly working with the DRM service to protect its PC games by adding mandatory 14-day checks.
Why it matters: Denuvo appears to be tightening its grip on games in order to combat the hypervisor bypasses. However, the 14-day checks need an internet connection and may also further degrade game performance.
As first reported by Tom’s Hardware, 2K games, including NBA 2K25, NBA 2K26, and Marvel’s Midnight Suns, are now using the new check-ins. They rely on fixed offline authorization tokens that expire after about 14 days.
Previously, the token would only have to be renewed if significant system changes were detected. Gamers would now need to reconnect to the internet every two weeks to launch the game again, even if they own a verified copy.
This method is claimed to be impossible for hypervisor-based bypass to tackle because it’s a request/response call to Denuvo’s servers. Unless the code that executes this check is cut, which would require a full-fledged crack instead of the hypervisor bypass.
These changes are reportedly not mentioned at the time of purchase anywhere, on Steam, or in the EULA, which leaves everyone in the dark.
There are also concerns of further performance drops in games due to the new restrictions, and games may not run if Denuvo servers experience hiccups. We may also see other publishers and studios adopt this new strategy to fight against hypervisor exploits.
Do you think adopting mandatory 14-day check-ins is the best solution to tackle the ongoing Denuvo exploits? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.
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Shameer Sarfaraz has previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, he loves to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games. Besides his passion for breaking news stories, Shahmeer loves spending his leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited his articles.
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