Irdeto, known for its anti-piracy software, Denuvo, has recently introduced a new watermarking tech called TraceMark in gaming. TraceMark for Games is described as the first watermarking product aimed specifically at the games industry. This new tech, which adds a watermark to games, has already been utilized across media output, including sports broadcasts, TV shows, and movies.
TraceMark can be added as both visible and invisible watermarks, with each copy of a game featuring a unique mark. The goal is to help developers trace leaked beta footage or pre-release gameplay that was not meant to be made public yet to their source.
Irdeto placed faith in the qualities of TraceMark, claiming it acts as a deterrent to leaking game content during private early play tests, closed betas, or reviews. This suggests that the tech is aimed specifically at internal playtesters or reviewers who were authorized to access a game early by its developer.
With a growing demand for new games in the industry, leaks have become more rampant. The highly anticipated Dragon’s Dogma 2, slated to release on March 22, 2024, has already had news broken out about its story being leaked before its release. Leaks can be a major issue for game developers because they undermine the development cycle while giving false consumer expectations since content can be subject to change before release. Grand Theft Auto VI is another major title set to release sometime next year; however, only a couple of months ago was the trailer leaked, forcing Rockstar Games to release the trailer earlier than intended.
While TraceMark will act as a deterrent to prevent game leaks, it is not an elixir for all of them. It may not even have a significant impact on preventing unauthorized content from being leaked, but in the early stages of development for many new games, it could end up being a useful tool.
TraceMark for Games will be supported by iOs, Windows, Switch, and Xbox.
