DLSS modder implements anti-piracy DRM into mods

Since Starfield is being optimized for AMD hardware, it’s likely the game won’t support any competing upscaling technologies by default. These, of course, being Nvidia’s DLSS and Intel’s XeSS. Historically, AMD-sponsored video games are usually limited purely to FSR 1.0/2.0, which puts modder PureDark in a unique position.

For context, PureDark is responsible for unofficial implementations of Nvidia DLSS into games that don’t support this upscaler by default. This is a huge boon for Nvidia graphics cards owners due to better performance and image quality compared to FSR. The tricky bit, however, is that PureDark has started locking their mods behind a $5 Patreon subscription, and it would seem that they’ve taken things a step further than ever before by setting up Patreon-based DRM for their modded files.

Looks like PureDark has implemented an authentication system for his RDR 2 Frame Gen mod, where you need to first authenticate yourself as a Patreon sub of his in order to use it. So if you obtain the mod by "sailing the high seas", it won't work until you sub to his Patreon. pic.twitter.com/csXSRR98ya

— Sebastian Castellanos (@Sebasti66855537) August 21, 2023

Starfield’s DLSS mod may end up paywalled

PureDark previously announced that they’d have DLSS’s frame generation and image upscaling functionality ready for Starfield as soon as possible. Their decision to set up a Patreon authentication system for mods is, therefore, suspiciously timely ahead of Starfield‘s launch. Given that Starfield‘s system requirements are reasonably hefty, Nvidia RTX GPU users would naturally hope to leverage DLSS in the game. And searching for this would eventually lead them to PureDark’s mods.

There’s definitely an argument for crediting modders for their hard work. Comprehensive and valuable feature-level additions like PureDark’s DLSS injectors can make a world of difference for players. It’s also easy to see why the community might feel rubbed the wrong way by actual DRM in mods. Some reports claim that it’s a one-time payment, so PureDark’s DLSS mods may not require a persistent subscription.

No sub once and you're good… $5 for all his work.

— Big TeeJ Gaming (@Big__TeeJ) August 21, 2023

However, others claim this is not the case at all, and that game patches – which often come in rapid succession – break PureDark’s mods on a regular basis. According to Reddit user jackyflc, “everytime a game update releases, the mod breaks and you will have to pay another $5 to resub and download the updated mod.”

It’s going to be interesting to see whether Nvidia reacts to PureDark’s entrepreneurship, of course. While the company appears to have taken a more hands-off approach to DLSS integrations, allowing devs to do it for free, it’s possible that PureDark may have stepped on its toes with this development.