12th-gen Intel CPUs can’t run over 50 games with Denuvo DRM

Intel recently launched its 12th-gen desktop CPUs, termed ‘Alder Lake’, promising better performance for gamers. However, Intel has confirmed that over 50 games, including titles like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Far Cry Primal, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and Football Manager 2021 do not presently work on systems which utilise the newest Intel CPUs.

The affected games all use the Denuvo Digital Rights Management (DRM) software. The software uses CPUID, a hardware fingerprint that identifies each individual processor, to limit the amount of systems that could play a protected game. However, Intel has split the architecture of the 12th-gen Alder Lake chips into ‘performance’ and ‘efficiency’ cores. According to Intel, the DRM software can see the efficiency cores as a separate system, thus disallowing the user from playing certain games.

Also Read: Intel launches 12th-gen ‘Alder Lake’ CPUs with up to 16 cores

Intel has said that Denuvo has identified a software fix for the issue, and is in the process of rolling it out. However, the fix will have to be rolled out to each game individually. 11 games which are currently unplayable with 12th-gen Intel CPUs will get the fix in mid-November. These include Anthem, Bravely Default 2, Fishing Sim World, Football Manager 2019, Football Manager Touch 2019, Football Manager 2020, Football Manager Touch 2020, Legend of Mana, Mortal Kombat 11, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2, and Warhammer I.

Several other games are also affected by the issue, and are currently not playable, but no release date for the fix for these games has been announced. These include titles like Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, Far Cry Primal, Fernbus Simulator, For Honor, Lost in Random, Madden 22, Maneater, Need for Speed – Hot Pursuit Remastered, Sea of Solitude, Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order, Tourist Bus Simulator, and Maneater.

In the meantime, Intel also recommends that users turn on Legacy Game Compatibility Mode in the BIOS for their own systems as a temporary fix, which can make some games playable.