Capcom Reintroduces Classic Resident Evil Titles on Steam with DRM, Stirring Debate in Gaming Community
Capcom has once again brought a selection of its iconic games to modern digital storefronts, with beloved titles like Resident Evil (1996), Resident Evil 2 (1998), Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999), and Breath of Fire IV launching on Steam.
Offered initially at a discounted rate—£3.99 / $4.99 with an upcoming increase to £7.99 / $9.99—these classic releases aim to allow a new generation of gamers, as well as longtime fans, to revisit some of the most storied entries in Capcom’s catalog.
However, these releases have proven controversial due to Capcom's implementation of the third-party DRM solution, The Enigma Protector, in each title.
While the games themselves are reissues of GOG versions previously released without digital rights management, the addition of DRM on Steam has become a point of contention within the gaming community.
This is not the first instance of Capcom applying The Enigma Protector to its catalog on Steam.
Over recent years, the company has quietly introduced the DRM to both new and legacy titles, including the Steam release of GOG’s Dino Crisis reissues.
Many players have voiced concerns over this move, citing adverse effects on game performance and compatibility.
For example, after The Enigma Protector was added to Resident Evil Revelations in January 2024, users reported increased slowdowns and crashes, prompting Capcom to eventually remove the DRM.
A similar sequence of events occurred with the 2023 Resident Evil 4 Remake: performance issues following the DRM’s introduction led Capcom to retract it.
Despite the age of these classic titles and their DRM-free availability on platforms like GOG, Capcom has opted to secure the Steam versions with additional protection, even as users raise questions about its necessity and potential drawbacks.
Performance remains a consistent talking point, with some reports highlighting a negative impact, especially on systems meeting only the minimum recommended specifications.
Reception on Steam tells a nuanced story.
All four games currently hold a "Very Positive" rating, indicating that many fans are enthusiastic about their arrival regardless of the DRM.
Yet, a broader scan of Steam Discussions and social media platforms reveals persistent criticism of Capcom's decision, alongside feedback regarding the lack of dedicated achievements.
As a result, community members frequently recommend the GOG versions for those seeking a DRM-free experience.
On the hardware front, the classic Resident Evil games reportedly run on the Steam Deck, providing handheld accessibility for Valve’s portable console.
Developer David Szymanski, known online as @TafferKing451, notes that players may need to use a custom input configuration, as the default Steam Deck layout is not fully compatible.
Capcom’s approach to digital rights management on these decades-old titles has reignited a larger debate around game preservation, consumer ownership, and platform parity.
For fans and preservationists, the availability of classic games on modern hardware via platforms such as Steam and GOG is a welcome development—but the implementation of DRM remains a controversy within the broader discussion on digital game ownership and long-term accessibility.
Capcom has once again brought a selection of its iconic games to modern digital storefronts, with beloved titles like Resident Evil (1996), Resident Evil 2 (1998), Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999), and Breath of Fire IV launching on Steam.
Offered initially at a discounted rate—£3.99 / $4.99 with an upcoming increase to £7.99 / $9.99—these classic releases aim to allow a new generation of gamers, as well as longtime fans, to revisit some of the most storied entries in Capcom’s catalog.
However, these releases have proven controversial due to Capcom's implementation of the third-party DRM solution, The Enigma Protector, in each title.
While the games themselves are reissues of GOG versions previously released without digital rights management, the addition of DRM on Steam has become a point of contention within the gaming community.
This is not the first instance of Capcom applying The Enigma Protector to its catalog on Steam.
Over recent years, the company has quietly introduced the DRM to both new and legacy titles, including the Steam release of GOG’s Dino Crisis reissues.
Many players have voiced concerns over this move, citing adverse effects on game performance and compatibility.
For example, after The Enigma Protector was added to Resident Evil Revelations in January 2024, users reported increased slowdowns and crashes, prompting Capcom to eventually remove the DRM.
A similar sequence of events occurred with the 2023 Resident Evil 4 Remake: performance issues following the DRM’s introduction led Capcom to retract it.
Despite the age of these classic titles and their DRM-free availability on platforms like GOG, Capcom has opted to secure the Steam versions with additional protection, even as users raise questions about its necessity and potential drawbacks.
Performance remains a consistent talking point, with some reports highlighting a negative impact, especially on systems meeting only the minimum recommended specifications.
Reception on Steam tells a nuanced story.
All four games currently hold a "Very Positive" rating, indicating that many fans are enthusiastic about their arrival regardless of the DRM.
Yet, a broader scan of Steam Discussions and social media platforms reveals persistent criticism of Capcom's decision, alongside feedback regarding the lack of dedicated achievements.
As a result, community members frequently recommend the GOG versions for those seeking a DRM-free experience.
On the hardware front, the classic Resident Evil games reportedly run on the Steam Deck, providing handheld accessibility for Valve’s portable console.
Developer David Szymanski, known online as @TafferKing451, notes that players may need to use a custom input configuration, as the default Steam Deck layout is not fully compatible.
Capcom’s approach to digital rights management on these decades-old titles has reignited a larger debate around game preservation, consumer ownership, and platform parity.
For fans and preservationists, the availability of classic games on modern hardware via platforms such as Steam and GOG is a welcome development—but the implementation of DRM remains a controversy within the broader discussion on digital game ownership and long-term accessibility.