007 First Light Patch Notes PS5: Denuvo Removed & New DLC

IO Interactive's 007 First Light had a busy weekend. The studio dropped a substantial free content update on Friday, and over the weekend, SteamDB tracked the removal of Denuvo DRM from the Steam version, making it DRM-free. For PS5 players, the patch is a hefty 23.84 GB download, but it brings two new TacSim missions, three new weapons, a new outfit, and a long list of bug fixes.

Denuvo Removed After Two Months

When 007 First Light launched on May 26, 2026, players were surprised to find Denuvo DRM included — a detail IO Interactive had not disclosed before pre-orders began. The backlash was immediate, with many considering canceling their pre-orders. Now, just two months later, the DRM layer has been removed. The Steam version is officially DRM-free, which is good news for performance-sensitive players and benchmark enthusiasts who frequently upgrade hardware.

The timing is notable. IO Interactive recently conducted layoffs and ended a partnership with Xbox on Project Fantasy. With Denuvo reportedly costing around $30,000 per month, budget constraints likely played a role in the decision. Despite the DRM controversy, the game has maintained an 89% positive review rating over the last 30 days on Steam.

Free Content Update: Two New TacSim Missions

The first major content update for 007 First Light arrived on Friday, adding two new TacSim missions. These are replayable challenge scenarios separate from the main story campaign.

The Workshop is a three-tier stealth mission set in Q's branch. Players must use gadgets, fists, and wits to silently neutralize enemies and escape. It's a tight, puzzle-like encounter that rewards patience and observation.

Extraction Avenue takes the opposite approach — a straight-up shootout where you must fight through waves of enemies before reinforcements arrive. It's a pure combat gauntlet that tests your aim and resource management.

These missions are part of a broader content roadmap that IO Interactive shared in June. A future story DLC centered around pirate king Bawma is also planned.

New Weapons and Outfit

Three new weapons have been added to the TacSim arsenal, each requiring a specific Clearance Level and 3,000 Intel to unlock:

• Stormberg 50'cal Pistol (Clearance Level 10) — a heavy-hitting sidearm
• DRX-2 Machine Pistol (Clearance Level 12) — a rapid-fire secondary
• DRS-7 Silenced SMG (Clearance Level 16) — a stealth-friendly primary

Also available is the Diamond in the Rough outfit (Clearance Level 18), which costs 3,000 Intel. It gives Bond a more relaxed look, a nice cosmetic option for players who have been grinding Intel points.

PS5 Patch Size and Bug Fixes

While the patch is under 4 GB on most platforms, PS5 users face a 23.84 GB download. That's a significant size for a content update, likely due to how IO Interactive packages asset updates on Sony's platform. The patch includes numerous bug fixes and stability improvements, addressing issues that caused crashes on Xbox Series S, animation glitches, and translation errors.

IO Interactive stated: "This update demonstrates our team's commitment to refining the 007 First Light experience."

What This Means for Players

The removal of Denuvo is a clear win for PC players, removing a layer of DRM that many felt was unnecessary for a single-player game. The free content update adds meaningful replayability through the TacSim missions, and the new weapons give veteran players more tools to experiment with. The PS5 patch size is an inconvenience, but the content inside is solid.

With a story DLC on the horizon and the game's positive reception continuing, 007 First Light is shaping up to be a strong live-service title — even if its DRM strategy took a detour.