It seemed like an impossible enemy, but it was actually the smartest anti-piracy system we’ve ever seen in a video game

In the world of video game piracy, developers have long battled to protect their creations. But few have done it as creatively as Croteam did with their 2011 shooter, Serious Sam 3. While many games rely on digital rights management (DRM) software like Denuvo, Croteam took a more imaginative approach—one that left players stunned, terrified and eventually impressed.

A giant unkillable scorpion changed everything

Shortly after the release of Serious Sam 3, reports flooded forums: players were being relentlessly hunted by a massive, invincible red scorpion. It was fast, aggressive, and couldn’t be defeated. Many thought it was a bug. But in truth, it was a brilliantly disguised anti-piracy measure.

If the game detected it was a pirated copy, the scorpion would appear early and relentlessly pursue the player, making progression impossible. This approach didn’t affect legitimate players, and instead turned the pirated version into a kind of horror-comedy.

The community reaction was overwhelmingly positive

Rather than complain, most players admired the creativity. Comments like “this is the best anti-piracy method ever” and “this is pure comedy” flooded forums and YouTube. Some players even created mods to add the scorpion into legal versions, just for fun.

Even speedrunners accepted the challenge

YouTuber TheKotti took on the impossible version and completed the game—being chased the entire time—in just over an hour. His video became a sensation, proving that the challenge was real, and the design was genius.

This clever method didn’t punish honest customers and turned piracy into an unforgettable joke. It’s no wonder it’s remembered as one of the smartest anti-piracy systems in gaming history.