Hi-Fi Rush is saying goodbye to Denuvo anti-tamper technology on January 16, 2026. Krafton and Tango Gameworks announced the change on December 3, 2025, positioning it as a move to provide a more stable and efficient service environment for PC players. The removal comes nearly two years after the rhythm action game’s surprise launch with Denuvo protection. However, players need to act fast because this isn’t optional. A mandatory patch must be installed before the January deadline or the game simply won’t run.
What’s Changing With Patch 10
Patch 10 is already available for download on Steam and brings the infrastructure changes necessary for Denuvo’s removal. The update includes significant internal system restructuring that requires all PC players to install it before January 16, 2026 at 00:00 Korean Standard Time. After that deadline, the game will refuse to launch until the patch has been applied, effectively locking out anyone who ignores the update.
Beyond removing Denuvo, the patch also updates the publisher information to reflect Krafton’s acquisition of Tango Gameworks from Microsoft. Players will notice a new Tango Gameworks logo on the splash screen when launching the game. Importantly, no playable content has been affected, meaning all story missions, music tracks, and gameplay features remain exactly as they were before the update.
Why The Mandatory Update Requirement
The mandatory nature of this patch stems from how Denuvo licensing works. Denuvo anti-tamper technology operates on a contract basis between the publisher and Denuvo Software Solutions. When that contract expires or is terminated, the Denuvo protection must be completely removed from the game’s code. If players were running versions with Denuvo after the license expires, the authentication servers would reject their attempts to launch the game, rendering it unplayable.
By forcing everyone to update before the January 16 deadline, Krafton ensures no player gets locked out when Denuvo support officially ends. This approach is actually consumer-friendly compared to what could happen. In past cases where publishers neglected to remove Denuvo before contract expiration, games became permanently unplayable until patches were issued. Hi-Fi Rush players who paid for the game would find themselves unable to access it without this proactive update strategy.
| DRM Type | Status After Patch |
|---|---|
| Denuvo Anti-Tamper | Removed entirely |
| Steam DRM | Remains active |
| VMProtect | Remains active |
| TG DRM (Tango Gameworks) | Remains active |
Other DRM Still Remains
While Denuvo is being removed, Hi-Fi Rush isn’t becoming DRM-free. The official announcement specifically states that the game’s own anti-tampering features will remain active and will not affect normal gameplay. According to analysis by DSO Gaming, the game will continue using three separate DRM systems after the update: Steam’s standard DRM, VMProtect, and Tango Gameworks’ proprietary TG DRM.
This multi-layered approach means Hi-Fi Rush won’t be coming to GOG anytime soon, as that platform requires games to be completely DRM-free. However, removing Denuvo specifically addresses the most controversial and performance-impacting form of protection. The remaining DRM systems are significantly lighter and less intrusive than Denuvo’s constant authentication checks and encryption layers.
Expected Performance Improvements
Denuvo has a well-documented history of impacting game performance, particularly during initial loading and in specific gameplay scenarios. Testing by YouTube channel YetTea revealed that games like Ghostwire Tokyo saw load times drop from 200 seconds with Denuvo to just 54 seconds without it. Similar improvements appeared in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, where loading fell from 86 seconds to 29 seconds after Denuvo removal.
Hi-Fi Rush players should expect faster boot times when launching the game after the patch. Frame rate improvements may be modest since Hi-Fi Rush was already well-optimized, but the game could see fewer framerate drops during intense combat sequences with multiple enemies and effects on screen. Steam Deck users in particular should benefit, as Denuvo’s CPU overhead disproportionately affects lower-powered hardware. The game already ran decently on Deck, but removing Denuvo could push it into consistently smooth territory.
The Krafton Acquisition Context
This Denuvo removal represents one of the first major changes Krafton has made since acquiring Tango Gameworks from Microsoft in August 2024. Microsoft had shuttered the studio in May 2024 despite Hi-Fi Rush’s critical acclaim and commercial success, causing industry outrage. Krafton stepped in to save the developer, acquiring the entire studio along with full rights to the Hi-Fi Rush IP.
The acquisition marked Krafton’s first significant investment in the Japanese video game market and demonstrated their commitment to supporting creative studios beyond their PUBG franchise. Removing Denuvo aligns with Krafton’s stated goal of ensuring long-term service stability and positions Hi-Fi Rush for a potential future on additional platforms. While no announcements have been made, the cleaner DRM implementation makes ports to services like GeForce NOW or other streaming platforms more feasible.
Community Response
The gaming community has responded overwhelmingly positively to the Denuvo removal announcement. Players on Reddit and Steam forums praised Krafton for listening to fan requests that dated back to Hi-Fi Rush’s original launch in January 2023. Many noted the irony that it took a publisher change and studio acquisition for the DRM to finally be removed, something Microsoft and Bethesda never addressed during their ownership.
Some users expressed concern about the mandatory patch requirement, worried about what happens to players who don’t update in time. However, most recognized this as a necessary technical limitation rather than anti-consumer policy. The fact that Krafton announced the deadline six weeks in advance gives players ample time to ensure they’ve installed the update, especially compared to cases where publishers removed games from storefronts with minimal warning.
What This Means For Hi-Fi Rush 2
While no official announcement has been made, reports suggest Hi-Fi Rush 2 was in development before Microsoft shut down Tango Gameworks. Krafton’s acquisition presumably allows work to continue on a sequel. The decision to remove Denuvo from the first game could signal Krafton’s intention to skip the controversial DRM entirely for future releases, or at least limit its use to shorter protection windows.
Game directors at Tango have expressed enthusiasm about continuing the Hi-Fi Rush franchise under Krafton’s ownership. John Johanas, creative director at Tango, posted “We’re back, baby” on social media following the acquisition announcement. Removing barriers like Denuvo that frustrated the community demonstrates Krafton’s commitment to maintaining positive relationships with Hi-Fi Rush’s dedicated fanbase as the franchise moves forward.
How To Prepare For The Update
Steam users should have automatic updates enabled by default, meaning the patch will download and install automatically the next time you launch Steam. However, if you have automatic updates disabled or set to only update games when launching them, you’ll need to manually trigger the download. Right-click on Hi-Fi Rush in your Steam library, select Properties, then go to the Updates tab to force the game to update immediately.
The patch size hasn’t been officially disclosed, but given that it’s removing code rather than adding content, the download should be relatively modest. Players with limited bandwidth or data caps should still have plenty of time before the January 16 deadline to download the update. Just don’t wait until the last minute, especially if you’re planning to play the game around that date.
FAQs
When is Denuvo being removed from Hi-Fi Rush?
Denuvo support officially ends on January 16, 2026 at 00:00 Korean Standard Time, which translates to January 15, 2026 at 10:00 AM Eastern Time or 7:00 AM Pacific Time. The patch removing Denuvo is already available as of December 3, 2025.
Do I have to install the update?
Yes, the patch is mandatory. After January 16, 2026, Hi-Fi Rush will not launch without the update installed. The game will refuse to run until you’ve applied Patch 10 that removes Denuvo and implements the necessary backend changes.
Will Hi-Fi Rush be completely DRM-free after this?
No, the game will still use Steam’s standard DRM, VMProtect, and Tango Gameworks’ proprietary TG DRM. Only Denuvo anti-tamper technology is being removed. The remaining DRM systems are significantly lighter and less invasive than Denuvo.
Will performance improve after Denuvo removal?
Yes, players should expect faster load times and potentially better performance, especially on lower-end hardware and Steam Deck. Tests on other games showed load time improvements of up to 4 times faster after Denuvo removal. Framerate gains will likely be modest but noticeable during intensive scenes.
Why did Krafton remove Denuvo now?
Krafton acquired Tango Gameworks and Hi-Fi Rush from Microsoft in August 2024. The Denuvo removal likely coincides with their licensing contract expiring or being terminated as part of the ownership transition. Krafton positioned the change as improving long-term service stability and efficiency.
What happens if I don’t update by January 16?
The game simply won’t launch. You’ll be forced to download and install Patch 10 before you can play Hi-Fi Rush. This prevents the game from becoming unplayable when Denuvo authentication servers stop accepting the old version after the licensing contract ends.
Will Hi-Fi Rush come to GOG now?
Unlikely in the near future. While Denuvo is being removed, the game still uses Steam DRM, VMProtect, and Tango’s own protection systems. GOG requires games to be completely DRM-free, which Hi-Fi Rush will not be after this update.
Does this affect console versions?
No, this update only affects the PC version on Steam. Console versions on Xbox and PlayStation never used Denuvo and don’t require any updates related to this announcement.
Conclusion
Hi-Fi Rush’s Denuvo removal marks a significant win for PC gamers who’ve been requesting the change since the game’s surprise launch nearly two years ago. While it took a publisher change and studio acquisition to make it happen, Krafton deserves credit for following through where Microsoft and Bethesda didn’t. The mandatory patch requirement might seem heavy-handed, but it’s actually protecting players from getting locked out when Denuvo licensing expires. With six weeks notice before the January 16 deadline, everyone has plenty of time to update. Performance improvements should be noticeable, especially for Steam Deck users and those with mid-range PCs. The fact that other DRM systems remain means Hi-Fi Rush won’t achieve true DRM-free status, but removing the most controversial and performance-impacting layer represents meaningful progress. As Tango Gameworks rebuilds under Krafton’s ownership and potentially develops Hi-Fi Rush 2, this consumer-friendly decision sets a positive tone for the franchise’s future. Just don’t forget to update before mid-January unless you want to stare at an error message instead of rocking out to killer beats.