The eagerly awaited cooperative adventure game, *Split Fiction*, crafted by the mastermind behind *It Takes Two*, has unfortunately become a target of piracy shortly after its launch on March 6, 2025. Available across various platforms, including PC via Steam, the game quickly garnered both critical acclaim and the attention of hackers.

Despite its positive reception and glowing early reviews on Steam, *Split Fiction* was rapidly cracked due to the absence of strong DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection. Electronic Arts chose not to employ Denuvo, a popular anti-tamper technology, making the game more susceptible to unauthorized access. This decision facilitated hackers in bypassing security measures, leading to the game's distribution on piracy platforms within days of its release.

This incident underscores the persistent challenges developers encounter in safeguarding their games from piracy while striving to maintain player accessibility and performance. While many gamers appreciate the absence of intrusive DRM systems like Denuvo, it also leaves games more vulnerable to exploitation soon after launch.

*Split Fiction*, developed by the creative force behind *It Takes Two*, has been lauded for its innovative cooperative mechanics, compelling storytelling, and striking visuals. Early feedback from players on Steam echoes this sentiment, with many praising the game as a fitting follow-up to Josef Fares' earlier work.

The game offers players a distinctive cooperative experience, combining clever puzzles, emotional narrative moments, and dynamic gameplay. Its success among legitimate buyers highlights the potential impact of piracy on sales and the developer's revenue.

The choice to omit Denuvo protection in *Split Fiction* has reignited debates about the role of DRM in contemporary gaming. While some contend that DRM can adversely affect game performance and alienate legitimate players, others view it as a crucial barrier against piracy.

In the context of *Split Fiction*, the lack of DRM may have hastened its compromise, prompting questions about whether Electronic Arts underestimated the swiftness of hacker actions.