inZOI's developer has issued a public apology for including Denuvo DRM in their game and has committed to removing it. This decision comes after the discovery that the Creative Studio mode demo contained the controversial anti-tamper software. Denuvo has long been a contentious topic in the gaming community, often cited for its potential impact on game performance. The technology is intended to combat piracy by making it challenging to illegally copy and distribute PC games.
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. Kjun explained, "We initially chose to implement Denuvo to protect the game from illegal distribution. We thought this would ensure fairness for players who had purchased the game legally. However, upon reviewing community feedback, we recognized that this approach did not meet our players' expectations." He further apologized for not informing players about Denuvo's inclusion in the Creative Studio mode demo.
Despite the potential increase in piracy, Kjun stated that removing Denuvo would enable inZOI to be freely configurable, enhancing players' ability to customize and create unique gaming experiences. "We believe fostering this freedom from the outset will lead to innovative and enduring enjoyment for our community," he said.
inZOI's Focus on Modding
The inclusion of Denuvo was particularly surprising given inZOI's emphasis on being a highly moddable game. Kjun reiterated the team's commitment to modding during the Online Showcase, stating, "We are dedicated to making inZOI a highly moddable game. Our first phase of official mod support, launching in May, will enable players to create custom content using tools like Maya and Blender. This is just the beginning; we plan to expand mod support to enhance the game's customization options further."
Kjun promised a forthcoming post with more details on modding. Krafton, the developer behind inZOI, continues to prioritize player feedback, adjusting the game to ensure a superior 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 at a later, yet-to-be-announced date. To keep up with the latest developments, check out our related article below!
