Marvel Tokon DRM Hurts PC Performance

Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls is a fighting game published by PlayStation that launched on PC in July 2026, but its performance is severely hindered by the inclusion of a DRM system called Theia, which forces the CPU to decrypt files on a single thread during active gameplay. According to KitGuru, Theia is at least partially developed by Sony. The problem this DRM creates is a significant frame rate disparity between the legitimate Steam version and unauthorized cracked copies, where the cracked version runs up to 40fps faster in side-by-side comparisons, raising concerns among competitive fighting game community (FGC) players about the impact on paying customers.

Key Facts

Why Does Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls Run Poorly on PC?

The primary cause of the poor performance in the PC version of Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls is the implementation of Theia DRM, which decrypts files on a single CPU thread during active gameplay, creating a significant bottleneck. According to KitGuru, Theia is at least partially developed by Sony, and this specific flavor of DRM is what slows the game down to a crawl. The DRM forces the processor to handle decryption tasks in real-time, which competes with the game's own processing needs, leading to frame rate drops and stuttering.

A direct comparison shared by X user @NockCS on August 19, 2026, shows the cracked version of the game maintaining a frame rate consistently closer to 60fps, while the official Steam version struggles to hold 50fps. The poster notes that the average discrepancy is around 15fps, but at its worst, the difference reaches almost 40fps.

"Here's an actual side by side comparison. I promise you the clips are synced, the lag just slows down the game tremendously. If you look at the FPS highs, this is almost a 40fps difference. Whoever at Theia decided decrypting files on a single thread was a good idea is stupid."

— Nock (@NockCS), August 19, 2026

This data confirms that the DRM is the primary factor degrading the gaming experience for users who have purchased the game legitimately.

Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls experiences an almost 40fps performance difference between the cracked version and the official Steam version, with the DRM identified as the cause of the frame rate drops.

How Does the Cracked Version Compare to the Official PC Version?

The cracked version of Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls demonstrably outperforms the official Steam version, according to user reports and video comparisons shared on X (formerly Twitter). The average frame rate difference between the two versions is approximately 15fps, with the cracked version staying closer to a stable 60fps while the official version struggles to maintain 50fps. Reports also indicate that the cracked version is more efficient with system resources, even on hardware below the minimum requirements.

X user @MattWilliamson9 claimed that the cracked version "literally runs 10x better now, even on [the] highest settings, I am barely using 45% of my CPU." Additionally, X user @Alperen5841 demonstrated the cracked version running on a laptop with an NVIDIA GTX 1650 GPU, which is significantly below the game's stated minimum requirement of an RTX 2060.

User reports indicate the cracked version of Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls runs at a 15fps average advantage over the official Steam version and can run on hardware below the minimum specification, such as a GTX 1650.

How Has the Performance Issue Affected the Competitive Scene?

The performance problems in the PC version of Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls have had a direct impact on the competitive fighting game community (FGC), leading to tournament organizers switching platforms. The severity of the frame rate issues prompted at least one tournament organizer to announce that the game would only be run on the PlayStation 5 for competitive play. This decision was made to ensure a fair and consistent experience for players, as the PC version's performance is unreliable due to the DRM.

This move to PS5 is a direct consequence of the DRM-related performance issues, as the competitive integrity of matches on PC is compromised by fluctuating frame rates. The announcement, made earlier in the month according to the source report, highlights how DRM can alienate a core demographic of players who rely on stable performance.

A tournament organizer announced that Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls will only be run on PS5 for competitive play, citing the PC version's DRM-related performance issues.

Who Is This Issue Relevant To?

This issue is primarily relevant to PC gamers who have purchased Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, competitive fighting game players, and esports event organizers. For PC gamers, it explains the technical reason behind the subpar frame rates and stuttering they may be experiencing. For the competitive community, it validates the decision to shift to console platforms where performance is more stable. It is also a case study for publishers and DRM developers, illustrating the negative consequences of implementing intrusive copy protection that degrades the user experience for paying customers.

PC gamers, competitive fighting game players, and esports organizers are the groups most affected by the DRM-induced performance issues in Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls.

Common Questions

Is Denuvo responsible for the Marvel Tokon performance issues?

No, Denuvo is not to blame for the issues in Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls. According to KitGuru, the game uses a different DRM system called Theia, which is at least partially developed by Sony, and it is this system that forces the CPU to decrypt files on a single thread.

How does Theia DRM affect the game's CPU usage?

Theia DRM forces the CPU to decrypt files on a single thread during active gameplay. This creates a significant bottleneck that slows the game down, as the processor is unable to dedicate its full resources to running the game. X user @MattWilliamson9 reported that the cracked version used barely 45% of his CPU.

What is the minimum GPU requirement for Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls?

The official minimum GPU requirement for Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls is an RTX 2060. However, X user @Alperen5841 showed the cracked version of the game running on a laptop with a GTX 1650, which is a lower-tier GPU than the stated requirement, suggesting the DRM inflates the hardware demands.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single source report from Lowyat.NET, published on August 19, 2026, which synthesizes information from multiple primary sources. These sources include social media posts on X (formerly Twitter) from users @NockCS, @MattWilliamson9, and @Alperen5841, as well as reports from KitGuru and iXBT.games. All statistics, quotes, and hardware specifications are drawn directly from this source material. No data was extrapolated or invented where the source did not provide specific figures.

This article was last updated on August 19, 2026.