Is Cyberpunk DRM free on Steam?

Cyberpunk 2077 on Steam does not have additional DRM beyond what Steam itself provides as a DRM solution, meaning that CD Projekt Red, the game’s developer, did not add any extra DRM to the game. This decision aligns with CD Projekt Red’s anti-DRM position, which views DRM as anti-consumer and not particularly effective in preventing piracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

General DRM and Cyberpunk 2077 Questions

1. What is DRM?: DRM stands for Digital Rights Management, a set of techniques companies use to control access to digital content such as books, games, videos, and music.
2. Does Cyberpunk 2077 have Denuvo?: No, Cyberpunk 2077 does not use Denuvo, a popular DRM solution, as part of its copy protection.
3. Why is Cyberpunk 2077 DRM-free on Steam?: CD Projekt Red chose to make Cyberpunk 2077 DRM-free because they believe DRM is anti-consumer and not effective in preventing piracy.

Steam and DRM

4. Does Steam use DRM?: Yes, Steam itself acts as a DRM solution by verifying game ownership and ensuring Steamworks features work properly.
5. Can you play DRM-free games on Steam?: Yes, DRM-free games on Steam can be moved outside of the Steam folder and used freely, although Steam does not officially designate which games are DRM-free.
6. Do all Steam games have Steam DRM?: Most games on Steam utilize some form of DRM, but not all DRM implementations are the same.

GOG and Comparison with Steam

7. Is GOG better than Steam?: The choice between GOG and Steam depends on your preferences and gaming needs, with GOG focusing on DRM-free and classic games, and Steam offering the largest game library and frequent sales.
8. Is GOG no longer DRM-free?: No, GOG remains committed to its DRM-free policy, making it easier for users to back up and reinstall games without needing online account authorization.

Denuvo and Piracy

9. Does Denuvo actually stop piracy?: Denuvo claims to protect PC games from piracy and detect cheating, but the effectiveness of Denuvo in completely stopping piracy is debated.
10. Has anyone cracked Denuvo?: Yes, several groups and individuals, including Empress, have successfully cracked Denuvo-protected games, demonstrating that Denuvo is not foolproof.

Game-Specific Information

11. Does Cyberpunk have NSFW content?: Yes, Cyberpunk 2077 features nudity, sexual content, and other mature themes, making it NSFW.
12. Can you get banned for Cyberpunk mods?: Using mods with third-party servers could potentially lead to bans from those servers, but modding the game for personal use does not result in a ban.

Legal and Ownership Aspects

13. Is bypassing DRM legal?: The legality of bypassing DRM varies and is generally restricted, with some exceptions allowed for specific purposes such as preservation or accessibility.
14. Do you really own your Steam games?: Technically, you own the license to use the software, not the software itself, when you purchase a game on Steam or other digital platforms.

Removing DRM

15. How do I get rid of DRM for free?: There are several alternatives and tools, such as Requiem and DRMBuster, that claim to remove DRM from digital content, though their use may be subject to legal restrictions and risks.