Project aim Offer a complete list of games available for purchase on Steam which have external DRM associated with them in addition to or in lieu of the various forms of Steam's native DRM. Instructions Refer to the How to contribute section for information on adding games to this article.

Included with the games are the DRM schemes involved, the issues and hindrances you might encounter due to this DRM, and what you can do to prevent DRM from interfering with your gaming experience. Discussion Discuss the project on the Talk page. Other information "Unofficial List of Steam Games with DRM" Steam Users' Forums thread - Original thread on this topic, all discussion has henceforth been moved to this wiki article.

The Big List of DRM-Free Games on Steam - A comparable list of Steam games which do not feature any sort of DRM.

DISCLAIMER: There are many games that have their own in-game store. There are also many games with DLC managed not by Steam but by the publishers themselves. These are NOT included in this list because, as previously stated, the products on these lists are available for purchase on Steam. Using non-Steam products on Steam products must be done at your own risk. Main contacts Garrett





How to contribute [ edit ]

This list covers many games already but it is still missing some games and may have outdated information. Please reference your additions so others can easily verify their accuracy. Games that never had third-party DRM are omitted from this list; this includes sequels to the games listed here.

Check the game's forums for DRM discussion [ edit ]

Check forums for DRM details Check forums for DRM details Check the game's Steam Community Discussions for details of its DRM. Add the game below with the relevant news post or forum topics as references.

Investigate DRM for your games [ edit ]

If you're unsure about the specific DRM used, ask on the project talk page so others can help.

Game prompts for making/logging into an account (Account-based DRM) Game prompts for making/logging into an account (Account-based DRM) Take note of the account type it asks to make. Add it to the appropriate Account-based DRM section. Common types have their own sections. If it isn't any of those add it to Other Account-based DRM.

Game prompts for CD/product key but not an account (Hardware-based DRM) Game prompts for CD/product key but not an account (Hardware-based DRM) Take note of the DRM name on the prompt(s) and add it to the appropriate Hardware-based DRM section. If the prompt doesn't say what DRM is used you can scan the game with Protection ID to find out. Post the details on the project talk page. Use a link to that post as a reference for its entry below. Protection ID might not recognise the DRM used.

Account-based DRM [ edit ]

DRM associated with accounts is weaker than most but still present, requiring online activation via CD key to access online services such as multiplayer and profile stats. These games require you to activate the game through their servers and use their accounts to activate the game, and many require these accounts to access the game. For single-player games, account-based DRM often does not affect the game to any real degree, as you can play them with an offline profile without activation. Because of this, many consider single-player account-based DRM to not be DRM at all because it does not require any contact beyond having the packages installed; no Internet connection is required. Games falling into this “single-player only” category will be marked as such.

Codemasters RaceNet [ edit ]

Used for multiplayer and community features in newer Codemasters racing games after Codemasters switched from Games for Windows Live to Steamworks for DRM. Completely optional; if you don't play online you can simply ignore it. More about it here. Currently available for Family Sharing.

EA Accounts [ edit ]

EA Accounts exist for two purposes:

To activate and run the game. This requires a constant Internet connection, even in single-player modes. The benefit to this, however, is that DLC, if it exists, is more easily managed than below.

To access online features, including DLC. In this case, the EA account is not required to access single-player (in some cases, it may be required to activate the game). For DLC, however, the game will require an account either way.

This list will be categorized as such, as well as games that use EA Classic accounts. Single-player games in the latter category will be specially marked, either as an option or exclusively single-player.

Origin [ edit ]

Origin is a digital distribution, DRM, multiplayer and communications service created by EA. Unless otherwise noted, this games requires Steam and Origin in background for work. This games not have any interaction with Steam client side and all services as DLC, activations and online services are managed by Origin client. Excluded from Family Sharing. This section is automated; refer to the individual game pages to add or update entries.

Constant Connection Required [ edit ]

Activation, Online Services, DLC [ edit ]

EA Classic Account [ edit ]

Name Link Notes Battlefield 2 Hub

GameSpy [ edit ]

GameSpy online services were shut down on May 31, 2014 (June 30, 2014 for Electronic Arts titles).[5][6] Most GameSpy games can be played online through alternate methods; see the game pages for details. GameSpy is not DRM; however, since some multiplayer features are dependent on GameSpy for these games, they are listed here.

Games for Windows Live [ edit ]

Server-Side Activation (SSA) titles [ edit ]

Server-Side Activation (SSA) binds the product key permanently to your Microsoft account, similar to Steam. These games have no activation limits. If you bind an SSA product key to an account that is not in a supported region you will lose the key (and, consequently, access to the game).

Legacy (Per-Title 5x5) titles [ edit ]

Simple product key check; requires internet access for online profile but does not attach the key to your Microsoft account. Activation limit between 10-20 (usually 15) for online profiles; Microsoft support can help reset the limit but will not reset a second time; after that you will need to buy the game again.

Xbox Live Account [ edit ]

Currently available for Family Sharing.

All this games only required a Free Xbox Live account or Microsoft account for playing.

Kalypso Launcher [ edit ]

You can install and play these games without any kind of internet connection (see About Kalypso Launcher).[13]

ManiaPlanet [ edit ]

Every new Nadeo game requires ManiaPlanet account. More about account can be read here.

Rockstar Games Launcher [ edit ]

Excluded from Family Sharing.

This games can required Bethesda.net account only for online services, in other cases are mandatory for activation.

Name Link Notes Doom Eternal Store Bethesda.net account required for activation and Online Services. Fallout 76 Store Bethesda.net account required for activation and Online Services. Multiplayer and Always Connection Only. RAGE 2 Store An optional Bethesda.net account can be used to unlock community features. Wolfenstein: Youngblood Store Require an optional Bethesda.net account to access online features.

Stardock Account [ edit ]

Stardock distributed their games via Impulse. After they sold it to GameStop in March 2011, Stardock introduced account system for their games to distribute patches and for the official support on forums. Their older games are de facto DRM free after registration, and those games are noted. You can download them any time from your Stardock account. In 2012, Stardock switched to Steamworks because of multiplayer. Those games can't be downloaded from Stardock, only from Steam.

Uplay [ edit ]

Uplay is a digital distribution, DRM, multiplayer and communications service created by Ubisoft. Unless otherwise noted, you should be able to access an offline mode after registering and updating the game. Without updating, the game may require a constant connection at all times. Some of these games may have trouble with the Uplay launcher. Check here to make sure your game is updating properly. This section is automated; refer to the individual game pages to add or update entries.

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Other Account-based DRM [ edit ]

This list does not include Free to Play (F2P) games, which almost always require a separate account, and every one of them has in game store. F2P games are found here.

Hardware-based DRM [ edit ]

Hardware-based DRM uses components of the PC such as the MAC address of network adapter(s) and serial number(s) of hard drive(s) to create a hash or signature which is used for identification of the PC in the DRM activation process. When a game which incorporates this type of DRM is run, it checks that the current components of the PC match the hash/signature which was created and stored during the previously completed activation. The tolerance for matching this hash varies by game, but in general if a significant component or components of the PC which comprise the hash have changed, the DRM will require a new activation to play the game. If an activation limit exists and is reached, the game will refuse to play. In most cases where this type of DRM is used, there will be methods to either revoke activations or reset the limit so a new activation is performed. These will be noted at the bottom of their respective sections below.

Denuvo Anti-Tamper [ edit ]

Windows-only executable obfuscation DRM made by some previous employees of Sony DADC DigitalWorks.[47] OS X and Linux versions of these games do not use this DRM. Uses online activation;[48] the game's support page can be used for manual authentication on systems without internet access.[49] This section is automated; refer to the individual game pages to add or update entries.

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VMProtect [ edit ]

Prevents code from executing on virtual machine and non-standard architecture. Suspected of negatively affecting protected program's performance due to usage of virtualization methods. Some iterations of Denuvo Anti-Tamper also reportedly used VMProtect. This section is automated; refer to the individual game pages to add or update entries.

Arxan Anti-Tamper [ edit ]

Used to strengthen the account-based DRM of a game, considered an alternative to Denuvo Anti-Tamper. This section is automated; refer to the individual game pages to add or update entries.

Reality Pump [ edit ]

DRM specific to Reality Pump titles. Previously listed as "Aktivierung" for some games.[50] This section is automated; refer to the individual game pages to add or update entries.

SecuROM [ edit ]

To revoke SecuROM activations, see popular titles; for EA games with SecuROM "released after May 2008" use the EA Game Authorization Management Tool. Activations can usually be revoked by using the /revoke command-line switch when running the game's main executable or launcher. If that does not work, contact support. Use the Removal Tool to remove SecuROM activation information (after revoking the activations, if applicable).

StarForce ProActive [ edit ]

StarForce ProActive is contained to the folder of the game using it. It does not make registry entries or install drivers. Activation/deactivation instructions

Name Link Notes DCS: A-10C Warthog Hub 10 machine limit. After 10 activations, 1 more is generated in a month.[55] DCS: Black Shark Hub 8 activations and 10 deactivations.[56] FAQ does not mention whether activations regenerate. DCS World (all DLC) Store DRM on each individual DLC instead of base game.[57] Each DLC has a 10 machine activation limit and 10 deactivations. After no activations remain, 1 more is generated in a month.

ACTControl [ edit ]

ACTControl is a fork of StarForce AAA Protection. It is unknown if this is either a genuine fork or a replacement of StarForce. Games can be activated/deactivated with ACPC.EXE in the installation folder or with the online activation page.

TAGES [ edit ]

TAGES does not support revoking activations;[59] activations automatically regenerate on a timer, usually one every 30 days. Use TagesSetup to remove the TAGES drivers from your computer.

SolidShield [ edit ]

SolidShield is TAGES' new DRM technology. It is presumed that this is their replacement for TAGES. To revoke activations for EA games with SolidShield "released after May 2008" use the EA Game Authorization Management Tool. To revoke activations for other games use the executable in the installation folder (usually called activation.exe ); see Activation and revocation client for further details.

Other Hardware-based DRM [ edit ]

Inert DRM [ edit ]

Some games on Steam contain remnants of DRM that has been removed (e.g. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky or Dead Space) or DRM files which are not used unless you attach a DRM expansion pack or DLC to the game. The DRM files do nothing, install nothing and are completely inert unless otherwise noted.

SecuROM [ edit ]

Other Inert DRM [ edit ]

Removed DRM [ edit ]

These games had DRM in retail form, or had it on digital storefronts in the past, but it has been entirely removed; these are listed below to help cautious shoppers.