2K Games has implemented mandatory 14-day online check-ins for several PC titles following the widespread bypass of Denuvo’s anti-piracy software by the gaming community.

Key Points

• Denuvo’s DRM technology is now considered effectively defeated, with hackers successfully bypassing protection for all non-online-only PC games as of April 27.
• The bypass, developed by the MKDev collective and modder DenuvOwO, utilizes a kernel-level driver to circumvent Denuvo’s security checks.
• 2K Games has introduced a 14-day offline authorization token requirement for titles including NBA 2K25, NBA 2K26, and Marvel’s Midnight Suns.
• Players must connect to the internet every two weeks to refresh their authorization tokens, or the games will become unplayable.
• Critics report that these new requirements were not clearly disclosed on Steam store pages or within the original end-user license agreements.

Why it Matters

The shift toward mandatory online check-ins highlights the ongoing tension between publishers attempting to curb piracy and the consumer demand for offline accessibility. This strategy risks alienating legitimate customers by retroactively altering game functionality, potentially fueling further conflict between developers and the gaming community.