Star Wars Galactic Racer Denuvo: Yes, 5-Machine Limit
Star Wars Galactic Racer Denuvo status: the PC version uses Denuvo Anti-Tamper with a five-machine activation limit. What it means and the April removal report.
Editorial update · Source publication dates are listed below · Independent fan guide
Yes: the PC version of Star Wars: Galactic Racer uses Denuvo Anti-Tamper. The Steam store page states that it incorporates third-party DRM, Denuvo Anti-Tamper, with a five-machine activation limit. The developer FAQ confirms Denuvo on PC. Console versions use their platforms' normal protection.
What the Steam page says
The Steam listing's DRM notice reads that the game incorporates third-party DRM: Denuvo Anti-Tamper, with a 5 machine activation limit. Steam also lists Steam Cloud and Family Sharing among its features. Denuvo applies to the PC version you buy on Steam; the Epic Games Store is the other confirmed PC store, so check that listing's own DRM notice if you buy there.
What does the five-machine limit mean?
Denuvo ties activations to hardware configurations. A five-machine limit means you can activate the game on up to five different hardware setups before further activations are refused. Major hardware changes, such as a new GPU or CPU, may count as a new machine.
If you hit the limit, contact the game's official support to ask about a reset. Practical advice:
- Avoid swapping hardware repeatedly while testing settings.
- Be aware that trying the game on several PCs and a handheld uses up activations.
- A Steam Deck is separate hardware, so it likely uses an activation too; the Steam Deck page covers performance there.
Wasn't Denuvo removed before launch?
That was reported, but it did not last. In April 2026, Destructoid reported that SteamDB showed Denuvo had been removed from the upcoming game and that the required Denuvo label had disappeared from the store page. By late September the label was back, and the launch version on October 6 shipped with Denuvo. No explanation for the change has been published in the sources checked.
Does Denuvo hurt performance?
There is no confirmed measurement either way for this game. Some players blame Denuvo for performance problems; a GamingOnLinux commenter reported seeing before-and-after benchmarks with no difference. GamingOnLinux itself found the game running well on SteamOS and Linux. If you have performance problems, start with the system requirements and settings rather than assuming DRM is the cause.
Does it need an always-on connection?
The Steam listing does not say the game requires a permanent internet connection. The first launch needs to be online, and the developer FAQ says single-player modes can be played offline after that. Online races and cross play need a connection. The PC version also uses Epic Online Services for cross play and friends, which is covered on the PC guide.
Has it been cracked?
Players search for crack status, torrents and free downloads. This guide does not track or link cracked versions. Cracked copies cannot join online races, have no official support, and repack downloads are a common way to spread malware. The legitimate free option is streaming the single-player modes through Amazon Luna with Prime; see the Amazon Luna page. The price guide covers official stores and editions.
Does it affect consoles?
No. Denuvo is a PC anti-tamper layer. The PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions use their platforms' own licensing, and the five-machine limit does not apply to them. The PS5 and Xbox guides cover those versions.
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