Intel confirms DRM incompatibility affects over 50 games: Check list inside

Intel has confirmed the fact that over 50 games are facing Digital Rights Management (DRM) incompatibility issues on personal computers based on its 12th-generation Core ‘Alder Lake’ processors. The chipmaker in a support page said that certain third-party gaming DRM software are incorrectly recognising the 12th Generation Intel Core Processors’ efficient 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,” the company wrote.

This issue is affecting over 50 games, which includes names like Mortal Combat 11, Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, and Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order among others. Intel said that a software fix has been identified by the vendor of the affected DRM software and is being rolled out to the affected games. The company said that some of the affected games are expected to be patched sometime in mid-November with the upcoming Windows 11 update. The list includes 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 and Warhammer I.

For other affected games, which includes 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, the patch is expected to be rolled out soon.

In the meantime, Intel has issued a workaround to enable users to launch and play the games affected by the DRM incompatibility issue. The company said that this fix will work only for the games that have not received the security fix yet. “The reference implementation for a Legacy Game Compatibility Mode will allow a user to dynamically place E-cores on standby when playing games,” Intel added. Here’s a step-by-guide on how you can play the affected games till the software patch is rolled out:

Step 1: Power up the system and enter the system BIOS setup.

Step 2: Enable switch Legacy Game Compatibility Mode to ON (one-time only) in BIOS.

Step 3: Save BIOS setup changes and exit.

Step 4: Boot to OS.

Step 5: Toggle Keyboard Scroll Lock key ON.

Step 6: Launch the affected game title.

Step 7: Toggle Keyboard Scroll Lock key OFF after ending the game title.