Intel publishes full list of games affected by DRM on Windows 10 and 11 Alder Lake PCs

Intel released its 12th gen Alder Lake-S desktop processors last week and although the micro-architecture has been optimized to work well on Windows 11, the company noted in its Alder Lake developer guide that existing Digital Rights Management software (DRMs) in games would require updates for them to properly support Alder Lake's Performance Hybrid architecture, which Intel calls Big-Bigger.

Addressing the developers, the company said:

If your existing or upcoming game uses a DRM middleware, you might want to contact the middleware provider and confirm that it supports hybrid architectures in general, and the upcoming Intel ADL platform in particular. Due to the nature of modern DRM algorithms, it might use CPU detection, and should be aware of the upcoming hybrid platforms.

Here's how Intel describes the problem:

Certain third-party gaming Digital Rights Management (DRM) software may incorrectly recognize 12th Generation Intel® Core™ Processors efficient-cores (E-cores) as another system. This prevents games implementing that DRM software from running successfully. Games may crash during launch or gameplay, or unexpectedly shut down.

Today the company has posted a full list of titles that are affected by DRM and most if not all seem to be Denuvo-based. The games below in bold are the ones affected in Windows 11 while the rest are facing problems on Windows 10.

• 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 Hawks Pro Skater 1 and 2*

• Warhammer I*

• 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*

• Maneater*

Intel has reiterated that it is working with Denuvo to fix the issue. In fact, a software fix has been identified and is being rolled out.

Meanwhile, a workaround for some of the other titles has been identified that are affected on Windows 10 only. These games are listed below:

• Ace Combat 7*

• Assassins Creed Odyssey*

• Assassins Creed Origins*

• Code Vein*

• eFootball 2021*

• F1 2019*

• Far Cry New Dawn*

• FIFA 19*

• FIFA 20*

• Football Manager 2021*

• Football Manager Touch 2021*

• Ghost Recon Breakpoint*

• Ghost Recon Wildlands*

• Immortals Fenyx Rising*

• Just Cause 4*

• Life is Strange 2*

• Madden 21*

• Monopoly Plus*

• Need For Speed Heat*

• Scott Pilgrim vs The World*

• Shadow of the Tomb Raider*

• Shinobi Striker*

• Soulcalibur VI*

• Starlink*

• Team Sonic Racing*

• Total War Saga - Three Kingdoms*

• Train Sim World*

• Train Sim World 2*

• Wolfenstein Youngblood*

To fix the DRM issue in the games listed above, you can either update to Windows 11 or use an Intel-provided workaround called Scroll Lock workaround which enables Legacy Game Compatibility Mode. You can find the steps for this workaround here.

Source: Intel