The big list of third-party DRM on Steam
Welcome to The Big List of 3rd Party DRM on Steam! This page is dedicated to offering a complete list of games available for purchase on Steam which have outside DRM associated with them on top of the standard Steam DRM.
Included with the games are the DRM schemes involved, the issues and hindrances you might encounter due to this DRM, and what you can do to prevent DRM from interfering with your gaming experience.
DISCLAIMER: There are many games that have their own in-game store. There are also many games with DLC managed not by Steam but by the publishers themselves. These are NOT included in this list because, as previously stated, the products on these lists are available for purchase on Steam. Using non-Steam products on Steam products must be done at your own risk.
Account-based DRM
DRM associated with accounts is weaker than most but still present, requiring online activation via CD key to access online services such as multiplayer and profile stats. These games require you to activate the game through their servers and use their accounts to activate the game, and many require these accounts to access the game. For single-player games, account-based DRM often does not affect the game to any real degree, as you can play them with an offline profile without activation. Because of this, many consider single-player account-based DRM to not be DRM at all because it does not require any contact beyond having the packages installed; no Internet connection is required. Games falling into this “single-player only” category will be marked as such.
EA Accounts
EA Accounts exist for two purposes:
To activate and run the game. This requires a constant Internet connection, even in single-player modes. The benefit to this, however, is that DLC, if it exists, is more easily managed than below.
To access online features, including DLC. In this case, the EA account is not required to access single-player (in some cases, it may be required to activate the game). For DLC, however, the game will require an account either way.
This list will be categorized as such, as well as games that use EA Classic accounts. Single-player games in the latter category will be specially marked, either as an option or exclusively single-player.
Constant Connection Required
| Name | Store Page | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Command & Conquer 4 | Link | |
| Darkspore | Link | Technically structured like an MMO despite having single-player. |
Activation, Online Services, DLC
| Name | Store Page | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alice: Madness Returns | Link | |
| Battlefield: Bad Company 2 | Link | Also includes Vietnam |
| Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box | Link | |
| Command & Conquer 3 | Link | Also includes Kane's Wrath |
| Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 | Link | |
| Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 - Uprising | Link | |
| Dead Space 2 | Link | |
| Dragon Age: Origins | Link | Also includes Awakening. Single-player only. |
| Dragon Age 2 (Store page unavailable) | Link | Single-player only |
| Mass Effect 2 | Link | Single-player only |
| FIFA Manager 09 | Link | |
| FIFA Manager 10 | Link | |
| FIFA Manager 11 | Link | |
| Gatling Gears | Link | 5 activation limit per 24 hours |
| Medal of Honor | Link | |
| Medal of Honor: Airborne | Link | |
| Mirror's Edge | Link | Single-player only |
| Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit | Link | |
| Need For Speed: Shift | Link | |
| Need For Speed: Undercover | Link | |
| Shift 2 Unleashed | Link | |
| The Sims 3 | Link | Includes all expansions (Most recent: Showtime) |
| SPORE | Link | Also includes Creepy & Cute + Galactic Adventures. Single-player only. |
| Warp | Link |
EA Classic Account
| Name | Store Page | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Battlefield 2 | Link |
Gamespy
Gamespy is not necessarily a DRM scheme; it is more of a multiplayer service (matchmaking, servers, etc.). However, since multiplayer is dependent on a third-party service for these games, we will be listing them here.
Games for Windows Live
There are two kinds of GFWL activation:
Current method: Server-Side Activation, or SSA. This binds the CD key permanently to your GFWL account, similarly to Steam. Thanks to this feature, the games do not carry activation limits! On top of this, a new GFWL feature has been added: Zero Day Piracy Protection (or ZDPP). This is their attempt to prevent pre-release copies from being played, and it can only be applied to SSA games.
Legacy method: A simple CD key check. This still requires an Internet connection, but it does not tie the key to your account. This has an activation limit between 10-20 (usually 15), similar to the usual Microsoft products (such as Office). If you hit the limit, contact Microsoft support. With proper evidence they will give you a new key, but you are only allowed one more key. After that, you will need to buy the game again.
It should also be noted that GFWL is not supported worldwide. In the event that you bind an SSA key to an account that is not in a supported region, you will lose the key (and, consequently, access to the game).
SSA Titled (ZDPP specially marked)
Legacy Titles
| Name | Store Page | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Batman: Arkham Asylum | Link | Single-player only |
| Battlestations Pacific | Link | |
| Bioshock 2 | Link | |
| The Club | Link | |
| Fallout 3 | Link | Includes All Five DLC Packs. Single-player only, can be completely ignored (no profile/activation needed). |
| Flatout: Ultimate Carnage | Link | |
| FUEL | Link | |
| Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition | Link | |
| Grand Theft Auto 4 | Link | Includes Episodes |
| Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War 2 | Link | Includes Chaos Rising |
| Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights | Link | |
| Kane & Lynch: Dead Men | Link | |
| Lost Planet: Colonies Edition | Link | |
| Quantum of Solace | Link | |
| Red Faction Guerrilla | Link | |
| Resident Evil 5 | Link | |
| Star Wars: Clone Wars: Republic Heroes | Link | |
| Stormrise | Link | |
| Street Fighter 4 | Link | |
| Universe at War: Earth Assault | Link | |
| Vancouver 2010 | Link |
Kalypso Launcher
Rockstar Social Club
| Name | Store Page | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition | Link | |
| Grand Theft Auto IV | Link | |
| Grand Theft Auto IV: Episodes from Liberty City | Link | |
| L.A. Noire: The Complete Edition | Link | Used for online/community features only. |
| Max Payne 3 | Link |
Stardock Account
Ubisoft DRM
Unless otherwise noted, you should be able to access an offline mode after registering and updating the game. Without updating, the game may require a constant connection at all times.
Some of these games may have trouble with the UPlay launcher. Check here to make sure your game is updating properly.
| Name | Store Page | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Anno 2070 | Link | |
| Assassin's Creed 2 | Link | |
| Assassin's Creed Brotherhood | Link | Offline mode available without registering/updating the game. Use parameter -playoffline. |
| Assassin's Creed Revelations | Link | |
| Assassin's Creed 3 | Link | |
| Driver San Francisco | Link | |
| Far Cry 3 | Link | |
| Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon | Link | |
| From Dust | Link | |
| Might & Magic Heroes VI | Link | Required for activation and online features. |
| Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands | Link | |
| The Settlers 7 | Link | Connection required at ALL times. |
| Silent Hunter 5 | Link | |
| Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier™ | Link | |
| Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. 2 | Link | Connection required at ALL times. |
| Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction | Link |
Other Account-based DRM
| Name | Store Page | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Airline Tycoon 2 | Link | Account and log-in required to play (single-player included). |
| APOX | Link | Proprietary server connection. There is no authentication, but a constant Internet connection is required for anything other than campaign, skirmish and tutorial. |
| AudioSurf | Link | Account required for leaderboard feature |
| Company of Heroes | Link | Relic Online. CD key activation required, log-in required to play. Offline workaround found here. Transitioning to Steamworks on April 8. |
| Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts | Link | Relic Online. CD key activation required, log-in required to play. Offline workaround found here. Transitioning to Steamworks on April 8. |
| Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor | Link | Relic Online. CD key activation required, log-in required to play. Offline workaround found here. Transitioning to Steamworks on April 8. |
| Crysis 2 (Store page unavailable) | Link | Online play requires a MyCrysis account |
| Crysis 2 - Maximum Edition | Link | Online play requires a MyCrysis account |
| Delta Force: Xtreme 2 | Link | Must create an account and "activate"; through the game to play. |
| Frozen Synapse | Link | Must create an account and "activate" through the game for online features. |
| Metal Drift | Link | Must create an account to play |
| Plain Sight | Link | Activation through Beatnik servers, requires log-in to play |
| Saints Row: The Third | Link | THQ account required for community features |
| Trackmania Nations Forever | Link | Trackmania account required for online features |
| Trackmania United Forever | Link | Trackmania account required for online features |
| Turba | Link | Account required for leaderboards |
| Wings of Prey | Link | Requires a YuPlay account for multiplayer |
Hardware-based DRM
Hardware-based DRM uses the PC itself in the activation process. The DRM, when installed, will usually check the system specs, operating system, image mounting software, etc. When any of these things are modified, the activation considers the PC to be a different one and will require another activation. If an activation limit exists and is reached, the game will refuse to install or play. In some cases, there will be methods to either revoke activations or reset the limit. These will be noted at the bottom of their respective blocks.
SecuROM
To remove SecuROM from your computer, use the Removal Tool.
| Name | Store Page | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Age of Booty | Link | Unlimited activations |
| Batman: Arkham Asylum | Link | Non-GotY Edition: 4 activations per month. A revoke tool is available in your Steam Tools section. GotY Edition: 4 machine limit. Revoke using /revoke parameter. |
| Batman: Arkham City | Link | 5 machine limit, 10 activations per machine |
| BioShock 2 | Link | Unlimited activations |
| Blood Bowl: Dark Elves Edition | Link | 5 machine limit |
| Blood Bowl: Legendary Edition | Link | 5 machine limit |
| Borderlands DLC Pack | Link | Used for 2 of the 4 included DLC packs (shown below). |
| Borderlands: Game of the Year | Link | Used for 2 of the 4 included DLC packs (shown below). |
| Borderlands: The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned | Link | 5 machine limit. |
| Borderlands: Mad Moxxi’s Underdome Riot | Link | 5 machine limit |
| Cities XL 2011 | Link | 5 machine limit |
| Colin McRae DiRT 2 | Link | Used for CD check only |
| Crysis | Link | 50 machine limit |
| Crysis Warhead | Link | 50 machine limit |
| Dark Void Zero | Link | 5 machine limit |
| DiRT 3 | Link | Activation limit unknown |
| Fable III | Link | 5 activations per month |
| F.E.A.R. 1 Complete | Link | Only multiplayer is active. To avoid this, download the updated multiplayer here. |
| Flock | Link | Unlimited activations |
| FUEL | Link | Unlimited activations |
| Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition | Link | Used in GTA IV and its expansions as noted below |
| Grand Theft Auto IV | Link | Unlimited activations |
| Grand Theft Auto IV: Episodes from Liberty City | Link | 15 machine limit |
| Major League Baseball 2K9 | Link | Used for CD check only |
| Mass Effect | Link | Found on the DLC installers only, SecuROM removable post-installation. 3 machine limit. |
| Medal of Honor | Link | Single-player portion only, 5 machine limit, 1 activation added every 60 days. |
| Neopets Puzzle Adventure | Link | 5 machine limit |
| The Sims Medieval | Link | 5 machine limit using new "Content Protection" by "Sony DADC Austria AG". News Link |
| Test Drive Unlimited 2 | Link | 4 machine limit |
Notes on Activations
To revoke SecuROM activations, look for your SecuROM game here. The revoke tool should be listed on the game's page, if it exists. If the game is not listed, contact support.
Anyone running an EA game with SecuROM "released after May 2008" who would like to de-authorize machines should have a look at the EA Game Authorization Management page.
StarForce/ACTControl
StarForce
| Name | Store Page | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DCS A-10C Warthog | Link | 10 machine limit. After 10 activations, 1 more is generated in a month. |
| Wargame: European Escalation | Link | 5 machine limit |
ACTControl
ACTControl is a fork of StarForce AAA Protection. It is unknown if this is either a genuine fork or a replacement of StarForce. Information
| Name | Store Page | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Confrontation | Link | 5 machine limit |
| Disciples III - Reincarnation | Link | 5 machine limit |
| Game of Thrones | Link | 5 machine limit |
| Of Orcs and Men | Link | 10 machine limit |
| Postal 3 | Link | Machine limit unknown |
| The Testament of Sherlock Holmes | Link | 5 machine limit. Source |
TAGES/SolidShield
TAGES
To remove the TAGES drivers from your computer, use TagesSetup.
| Name | Store Page | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dawn of Discovery | Link | Activation limit removed in patch |
| Anno 1404/Dawn of Discovery: Venice Expansion | Link | 3 machine limit |
| Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena | Link | 3 machine limit, 1 activation added back every 30 days. |
| nail'd | Link | 3 machine limit, 1 activation added back every 30 days. 5 revocations of these activations are allowed per month, and 1 is added back every 30 days. |
| James Cameron's Avatar: The Game | Link | 3 machine limit, 1 activation added back every 30 days. |
| Sherlock Holmes versus Jack the Ripper | Link | Limits unknown |
SolidShield
SolidShield is Tages’ new DRM technology. It is presumed that this is their replacement for TAGES.
| Name | Store Page | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A Game of Thrones – Genesis | Link | 5 machine limit |
| Crysis 2 (Store page unavailable) | Link | 5 machine limit |
| Dead Space 2 | Link | 5 machine limit |
| Shift 2 Unleashed | Link | 5 machine limit |
Notes on Activations
TAGES does not, and will not, have a revoke tool. Be careful!
Other Hardware-based DRM
| Name | Store Page | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Doom Rails | Link | Themida. 5 machine limit. |
| Earth 2160 | Link | 3 machine activation limit |
| Football Manager 2009 | Link | Uniloc, 5 machine limit |
| Gatling Gears | Link | EA Access. 5 activation limit per 24 hours. |
| L.A. Noire: The Complete Edition | Link | GameShield Ironwrap & Patcher. Machine limit explicitly not available per Rockstar policy, but is likely unlimited on Steam. Source |
| Max Payne 3 | Link | GameShield Ironwrap & Patcher. Machine limit explicitly not available per Rockstar policy. |
| Monster Trucks Nitro | Link | Activated through RedLynx servers. Activation limit exists, but is unknown and can be reset (Thread). |
| Spectromancer | Link | Proprietary activation method though CD key. 5 machine limit. |
| Two Worlds Epic Edition | Link | Proprietary activation limit (limit unknown). If limit is reached, contact support. |
| Two Worlds II | Link | Proprietary "Aktivierung" system, 3 machine limit |
| Two Worlds II Castle Defense | Link | Proprietary "Aktivierung" system, 3 machine limit |
Notes on Activations
- IvanDoomer says he can confirm Earth 2160's DRM has a 3 machine activation limit. Instructions to reset the activation limit are here. It can also be reset via phone support (phone number in-game).
- To reset your activation limit for Spectromancer, contact support here.
Inert DRM
Some games on Steam contain completely inert remnants of a prior DRM system which was removed (S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky or Dead Space for instance) or DRM files which are not used unless you attach a DRM expansion pack or DLC to the game (Borderlands, for instance). The DRM files do nothing, install nothing and are completely inert unless otherwise noted.
SecuROM
| Name | Store Page | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ArcaniA – Gothic 4 | Link | SecuROM. Installs files that can be safely removed without the Removal Tool. Source |
| BioShock | Link | |
| Borderlands | Link | Is activated upon installation of either Zombie Island or Underdome Riot. Both The Secret Armory of General Knoxx and Claptrap's Robot Revolution are SecuROM free, and thus will not activate the inert files (assuming you did not buy/activate the first two expansions). |
| Cities XL 2012 | Link | |
| Crysis Warhead | Link | Crysis Wars is inert. Crysis Warhead itself is still active. |
| Dead Space | Link | |
| Divinity II: The Dragon Knight Saga | Link | |
| Dungeons and Dragons: Daggerdale | Link | |
| Far Cry 2: Fortune's Edition | Link | SecuROM removed in 1.03 update despite store page's notes, but some files still remain. |
| F.E.A.R. 1 Complete | Link | Single-player expansions are inert, but multiplayer is active. |
| Gothic II: Gold Edition | Link | |
| Hospital Tycoon | Link | |
| Kohan: Ahriman's Gift | Link | |
| Legendary | Link | |
| Men of War™ | Link | |
| The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom | Link | |
| Overlord | Link | |
| Spellforce – Platinum Edition | Link | |
| Star Wars Republic Commando | Link | |
| The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings | Link |
StarForce/ACTControl
| Name | Store Page | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Still Life | Link | StarForce |
| Syberia | Link | StarForce |
| Syberia 2 | Link | StarForce |
TAGES/SolidShield
| Name | Store Page | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gothic® 3 | Link | SolidShield |
| Jack Keane | Link | SolidShield |
| Risen | Link | TAGES |
| Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened – Remastered | Link | SolidShield |
| Silverfall Complete | Link | TAGES |
| S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky | Link | TAGES |
| X3: Terran Conflict | Link | TAGES |
Other Inert DRM
| Name | Store Page | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Protocol | Link | Uniloc removed in patch 1.1, but files remain |
Removed DRM
There are numerous games that have DRM in retail form, but do not have said DRM on the Steam version. There are also games that once had DRM, but it has been removed from the game entirely. To help cautious shoppers, we are adding a section for these games.
| Name | Store Page | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| All games from Telltale Games | Link | SecuROM on retail |
| Angry Birds Space | Link | Proprietary activation system on the Angry Birds shop |
| Anno 2070 | Link | SolidShield removed via patch |
| Anomaly: Warzone Earth | Link | SecuROM on GamersGate |
| ARMA: Combat Operations | Link | SecuROM removed via patch |
| ARMA II | Link | SecuROM and FADE removed via patch |
| ARMA II: Operation Arrowhead | Link | SecuROM removed via patch |
| Assassin's Creed Brotherhood | Link | SolidShield on other digital distributors |
| Battlefield: Bad Company 2 | Link | SecuROM OR disc check on retail, SecuROM removed from Steam version in patch 522175. |
| Bionic Commando | Link | SecuROM on retail |
| Bionic Commando: Rearmed | Link | SecuROM on retail |
| Blade Kitten | Link | SecuROM on retail |
| Brothers In Arms: Road to Hill 30 | Link | StarForce on retail |
| Brothers In Arms: Earned in Blood | Link | StarForce on retail |
| Brothers In Arms: Hell's Highway | Link | SecuROM on retail |
| Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 | Link | SecuROM on retail, removed from the Steam version via patch |
| Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 - Uprising | Link | SecuROM on retail |
| Crysis 2 - Maximum Edition | Link | SolidShield on original Crysis 2 release |
| Dead Space 2 | Link | SecuROM on retail |
| Dragon Age 2 (Store page unavailable) | Link | SecuROM on retail |
| Dreamfall: The Longest Journey | Link | StarForce removed via patch |
| Grotesque Tactics: Evil Heroes | Link | SecuROM on retail |
| Gotham City Impostors | Link | Games for Windows Live removed in Free to Play update |
| Hamilton's Great Adventure | Link | SecuROM on GamersGate |
| Heroes of Might and Magic V | Link | SecuROM on retail |
| Heroes of Might and Magic V: Hammers of Fate | Link | SecuROM on retail |
| Hitman: Blood Money | Link | SecuROM on retail |
| IL-2 Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover | Link | SolidShield removed via patch |
| Manhunt | Link | SecuROM on retail |
| Miner Wars 2081 | Link | Online requirement removed from single-player campaign |
| Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit | Link | SolidShield on retail |
| Neverwinter Nights 2 Platinum | Link | SecuROM removed in patch/hotfix 1.23.1765 |
| Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones | Link | StarForce on retail |
| Rig 'n' Roll | Link | StarForce on retail |
| Sacred 2 Gold | Link | SecuROM on original Sacred 2 |
| Secret Files Tunguska | Link | TAGES on retail |
| Secret Files 2: Puritas Cordis | Link | TAGES removed via patch |
| Shank | Link | SolidShield removed via patch |
| Silent Hunter III | Link | StarForce on retail |
| The Sims 3 | Link | Includes all expansions (Most recent: Showtime). SecuROM, Disc check only on retail, 5 machine limit on other digital distributions. |
| Spore | Link | SecuROM on retail |
| Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic | Link | SecuROM on retail |
| Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory | Link | StarForce on retail, removed from the Steam version via patch |
| Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent | Link | SecuROM removed in patch 1.02a. |
| Trackmania Nations Forever | Link | StarForce removed in the "Forever" update |
| Trackmania United Forever | Link | StarForce removed in the "Forever" update |
| Wings of Prey | Link | StarForce on retail, removed from Steam version via patch |
| The Witcher: Enhanced Edition Director's Cut | Link | TAGES removed in patch 1.5 |
| Zeit² | Link | SolidShield removed via patch |