Denuvo DRM is an object of hate for many gamers. Being anti-piracy software that surprising no-one, fallen a bit flat—they still leap on any game with Denuvo in it, sometimes before they even come out.
In response to a since-deleted tweet by site 80 level (although the article is still up—with, fair play, a correction), Bethesda sets the record straight: "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle does not include Denuvo. It was only in review builds for leak precautions." As for why the rumour took off, 80 level cites the SteamDB patch branches for the game.
It doesn't help that way more common as AI tech improves, but still. It was enough for some conspiracy gamers to get out the corkboards.
As for the decision itself on Bethesda's part, it seems imminently sensible. While I get the desire to stop randoms pirating your game, once it's exposed to the unstoppable force of the internet? Well, I've not seen most titles hold up for long, usually leading to your average consumer having a worse product than the folks who cracked it.
Leaks, however, are a much more manageable goal. Testing happens in closed systems under NDAs in professional environments, huck Denuvo at it a whole year after release, though it was also, uh, removed later. This is some Ross and Rachel levels of on-again, off-again.
