Capcom Enhances 'Resident Evil' Series on iOS with DRM Update

TouchArcade Rating:

Capcom's recent update to the premium-priced ports of *Resident Evil 7 biohazard*, *Resident Evil 4* Remake, and *Resident Evil Village* on iOS and iPadOS has introduced an unwelcome change for many players. Released just an hour ago, this update includes an online DRM (Digital Rights Management) system that now requires an internet connection to verify purchase history every time you launch the games. This means you must be online to play, as the system checks whether you own the game or any DLC before allowing you to proceed to the title screen. If you're not connected, or if you click 'no' on the purchase verification prompt, the game will simply close.

This is a significant shift from the previous versions of these games, which could be played offline without any issues. I personally tested all three games before the update and confirmed they worked offline. However, after today's update, you'll encounter an alert asking to verify your purchase, and selecting 'no' results in the game shutting down. This change is disappointing and detrimental to the overall user experience, as it forces players to be online even when they want to enjoy their games offline.

For those who have already purchased these games, this new requirement feels like a step backward. It's understandable to want to protect intellectual property, but implementing such stringent DRM measures after the fact can be frustrating. Hopefully, Capcom will reconsider this approach and perhaps implement a less invasive method, such as periodic checks instead of every launch.

This update makes it harder to recommend these premium-priced ports. If you haven't yet tried these games, they are free to download and test on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. You can find *Resident Evil 7 biohazard* [ttpp]here[ttpp], *Resident Evil 4* Remake [ttpp]here[ttpp] on the App Store, and *Resident Evil Village* [ttpp]here[ttpp]. For detailed insights, you can read my reviews of *Resident Evil 7 biohazard* [ttpp]here[ttpp], *Resident Evil 4* Remake [ttpp]here[ttpp], and *Resident Evil Village* [ttpp]here[ttpp].

What are your thoughts on this update if you own the three modern *Resident Evil* games on iOS?