DRM Issue Causing Games to Crash on Intel Alder Lake CPUs

It is easy to recall numerous instances where the DRM issue has stopped game owners from enjoying their purchases. We’re seeing that situation play out again, courtesy of how DRM systems interact with the unique features of Intel’s 12th-generation “Alder Lake” CPUs.

We have already seen reports about how Alder Lake’s hybrid design divides the workload of the CPU into high-powered performance cores and low-powered efficiency cores. However, we got to know about potential issues in a developer FAQ last month. And now, Intel has confirmed that DRM in some games may incorrectly recognize efficiency cores as another system. This issue can cause unexpected shutdowns as well as crashes.

Also Read: Performance of Windows 11 Compared with Windows 10.

What is causing the DRM issue?

According to Chris Stobing from PC Mag, the issue is caused because the DRM middleware treats two different types of cores as two different systems.

Moreover, Intel has provided a list of 22 incompatible games that don’t work under Windows 10 or 11. Plus, the company has also listed 29 games that don’t work under Windows 10 but will start working once users upgrade their OS.

Here is the list of the first 22 games:

• Anthem
• Bravely Default 2
• Fishing Sim World
• Football Manager 2019
• Football Manager Touch 2019
• Legend of Mana
• Football Manager 2020
• Football Manager Touch 2020
• Mortal Kombat 11
• Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 and 2
• Warhammer I
• 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

The following games don’t work on Windows 10 but should start working once you upgrade your OS:

• Ace Combat 7
• Assassins Creed Odyssey
• Assassins Creed Origins
• Code Vein
• eFootball 2021
• F1 2019
• Far Cry New Dawn
• FIFA 19
• FIFA 20
• Football Manager 2021
• Football Manager Touch 2021
• Ghost Recon Breakpoint
• Ghost Recon Wildlands
• Immortals Fenyx Rising
• Just Cause 4
• Life is Strange 2
• Madden 21
• Monopoly Plus
• Need For Speed Heat
• Scott Pilgrim vs The World
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider
• Shinobi Striker
• Soulcalibur VI
• Starlink
• Team Sonic Racing
• Total War Saga – Three Kingdoms
• Train Sim World
• Train Sim World 2
• Wolfenstein Youngblood