Within the download file is Denuvo Anti-Tamper Technology, which prevents players accessing Sonic Mania whilst in offline mode. It’s easy to see why this would anger a paying customer who can’t access a game they purchased. 

This isn’t the only issue people have with Denuvo. Although the software company has denied it previously, it’s possible that the program could damage your hard drive due to the constant encryption and decryption – and it may reduce the overall lifespan of solid state hard-drives.

Between these issues and the announcement that there are “no current plans” to add support for Steam Workshop to Sonic Mania, many players are refunding the title in protest until a version with no DRM (Digital Rights Management) is released.

For details on this story as it unfolds, stay tuned to GameSkinny.