A copy protection called Enigma is currently causing trouble for many fans of older Capcom games. The active mod scene in particular is said to be suffering as a result
Capcom and mods – a complicated relationship. The Japanese publisher already made it clear last year: Mods and cheats? No difference!
(via Golem). This negative attitude towards fan-created content is interesting in that many Capcom titles are considered prime examples of creative mods even many years after release.
For example, Thomas the Engine in Resident Evil 2 provided horror and laughs in equal measure. In Resident Evil 8 we were able to poke baby Chris (see picture above) in the cheeks. And Monster Hunter World has so many great mods that we have dedicated a separate collection article to them.
The final nail in the coffin for mods?
Now, however, Capcom has apparently ignited the next stage in the fight against mods. Many older titles such as Resident Evil Revelations have recently (received a Steam update). This includes: A few bug fixes as well as a copy protection called Enigma
This is not supposed to be a particularly pleasant contemporary: Severe performance losses and, above all, the prevention of mods are to be expected here. Other titles from the last ten years are said to be affected:
Capcom started adding DRM Enigma Protector to their back catalog of games.
This DRM is cancer:
-Prevents modding
-No Cheat engine
-Reduces performance by up to 10-15 fps -Stutters.https://t.co/G4VOhgRB3T pic.twitter.com/QSknWSuun2– PC_Focus 🔴 (@PC_Focus_) January 10, 2024
How exactly Enigma works in detail is, of course, not disclosed. However, an analysis of the updated game files suggests that the DRM is structured similarly to the equally unpopular Denuvo. If original data is modified, the game will not start – the end for mods.
Heated tempers on Reddit and co.
(On Steam) and also (on Reddit) hundreds of fans are discussing the new copy protection and what the future holds for mods.
Not surprising: The threads are almost bursting with negative comments. With emotions running high, older missteps by Capcom are quickly brought up again, such as (the subsequent addition) of microtransactions in Resident Evil 4 or the statement by the Capcom CEO, that the prices for games are too low
By the way, there is also a statement from the Enigma developers. In the copy protection manufacturer’s forum, however, they reacted rather stroppy to a user’s complaint and (insinuated) that he just wanted to use cheats anyway.
Very professional response from the Enigma devs, the company that Capcom is using for the DRM they are patching into their old games.
🖕https://t.co/vzFtlk0D47 pic.twitter.com/fiT2qtjhX8
– PC_Focus 🔴 (@PC_Focus_) January 11, 2024
So a lot of headwind for Capcom. On the games front, however, things are currently looking very rosy for the manufacturer. With Dragon’s Dogma 2, they have a hot role-playing game iron in the fire. In addition, Monster Hunter Wilds, the latest installment in the popular action role-playing game series, was recently announced. It remains to be seen whether these titles can calm the waters again.
