https://github.com/iartorias/noceg
NoCEG - Steamworks CEG DRM Resolver
https://github.com/iartorias/noceg
ceg cpp drm patcher steam steamworks
Last synced: 5 days ago
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NoCEG - Steamworks CEG DRM Resolver
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/iartorias/noceg
- Owner: iArtorias
- License: other
- Created: 2025-07-28T06:46:49.000Z (3 months ago)
- Default Branch: master
- Last Pushed: 2025-08-04T12:35:00.000Z (3 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-08-31T09:44:15.326Z (about 2 months ago)
- Topics: ceg, cpp, drm, patcher, steam, steamworks
- Language: C
- Homepage:
- Size: 616 KB
- Stars: 17
- Watchers: 2
- Forks: 2
- Open Issues: 1
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE.md
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README
# NoCEG - Steamworks CEG DRM Resolver
[](https://github.com/iArtorias/noceg/releases)
> Patch Valve's CEG DRM for legally owned games to ensure long-term accessibility and preservation.
> [!IMPORTANT]
> NoCEG only works with legally owned games. The game executable that Steam downloads only works with your account and system. NoCEG needs that information to work.
> [!CAUTION]
> This should only be used for personal backups. The final executable still has your hardware info, and is illegal to distribute.
---
## Overview
**NoCEG** is a toolkit designed to fully patch out Valve’s **CEG (Custom Executable Generation)** DRM from *legally purchased* Steam games. Its main purpose is **digital preservation** ensuring that games remain playable even after CEG servers are no longer available.
---
## Components
This repository includes **three core tools** required for resolving and patching CEG protection:
### 🔍 `noceg_signatures`
> A command-line tool to scan the executable for CEG related functions and export the required information to `noceg.json`.
### 🧠 `noceg`
> A dynamic library that uses the vectored exception handling to resolve CEG protected functions (both constant and stolen/masked ones) during runtime using the data from the previously generated `noceg.json`.
### 🧰 `noceg_patcher`
> An utility that applies the final patch to a CEG protected executable.
---
## 🛠️ Usage
### **1. Download the latest release**
Get the latest binaries from the [Releases](https://github.com/iArtorias/noceg/releases) page.
---
### **2. Signature extraction**
Run the following command:
```bash
noceg_signatures.exe "Path\To\GameExecutable.exe"
```
Or simply **drag and drop** the executable onto `noceg_signatures.exe`.
---
### **3. Inject the runtime library**
- Rename the original `steam_api.dll` to `steam_api_org.dll`.
- Copy `steam_api.dll` from the NoCEG package into the game’s directory.
- Place the generated `noceg.json` file into the same folder.
Now, launch the game. A confirmation window should appear:
> ✅ **"Successfully finished the task!"**
### ⚠️ Special cases for certain games
#### `ShouldRestart` option
The following titles require `"ShouldRestart": true` in `noceg.json`:
- Homefront
- The Darkness II
- Star Trek
- F.E.A.R. 3
- Risen 2
To enable this option, update your configuration from:
```json
"ShouldRestart": false
```
to
```json
"ShouldRestart": true
```
#### `BreakpointType` option
Some games (e.g. `Duke Nukem: Forever`) use integrity checks that can detect software breakpoints, which may lead to incorrect values.
If this occurs, switch to hardware breakpoints by updating:
```json
"BreakpointType": 1
```
to
```json
"BreakpointType": 2
```
---
### **4. Final Patching**
Drag the original executable onto `noceg_patcher.exe`.
A modified version will be generated with a suffix like `_noceg.exe` or `_noceg.dll`.
---
### **5. Cleanup**
- Delete `NoCEG`’s `steam_api.dll`.
- Rename `steam_api_org.dll` back to `steam_api.dll`.
---
## 🎮 Supported games (tested)
```txt
✔ 007™ Legends
✔ Aliens: Colonial Marines
✔ Aliens vs. Predator™
✔ Bionic Commando
✔ Call of Duty®: Black Ops
✔ Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare 2
✔ Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare 3
✔ Deadpool
✔ DeathSpank
✔ DeathSpank: Thongs Of Virtue
✔ Duke Nukem: Forever
✔ DiRT Showdown
✔ DiRT Showdown Demo
✔ F1 2012™
✔ F1 Race Stars
✔ F.E.A.R. 3
✔ GRID 2
✔ Homefront
✔ Homefront Demo
✔ Just Cause 2
✔ Just Cause 2 Demo
✔ Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days
✔ Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days Demo
✔ Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light
✔ Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light Demo
✔ Madballs in...Babo: Invasion
✔ Madballs in...Babo: Invasion Demo
✔ Mafia II
✔ Mafia II Demo
✔ Prototype 2
✔ Risen 2
✔ Risen 2 Demo
✔ Saints Row: The Third
✔ Saints Row IV Inauguration Station
✔ Sid Meier's Ace Patrol
✔ Sid Meier's Ace Patrol: Pacific Skies
✔ Sid Meier's Civilization V
✔ Sid Meier's Civilization V Demo
✔ Sniper Elite V2
✔ Sniper Elite Nazi Zombie Army
✔ Sniper Elite Nazi Zombie Army 2
✔ Spec Ops: The Line
✔ The Amazing Spider-Man
✔ The Bureau: XCOM Declassified
✔ The Darkness II
✔ The Darkness II Demo
✔ The Lord of the Rings: War in the North
✔ Viking: Battle for Asgard
✔ Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine
✔ Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Demo
✔ XCOM: Enemy Unknown
```
---
## 🚫 Unsupported titles
> These are using allocated buffers for CEG protected functions and are **not supported** at this point:
- ❌ F1 2013™ / F1 2014™
- ❌ Call of Duty®: Black Ops II
- ❌ Sid Meier's Civilization®: Beyond Earth™
- ❌ XCOM: Enemy Within
---
## Compilation & Dependencies
To compile this project from source, use **Visual Studio 2022**.
This project uses the following open-source libraries:
- [`nlohmann/json`](https://github.com/nlohmann/json) – JSON for Modern C++
- [`mem`](https://github.com/0x1F9F1/mem) – Memory utility helpers
- [`zydis`](https://github.com/zyantific/zydis) – Disassembler framework
---
## Why NoCEG?
- Preserve access to the games long after CEG DRM servers shut down.
- Designed exclusively for **legally owned** copies of games.
- Reverse-engineered with care for accuracy and modularity.
---
## 📄 License
Check [LICENSE](LICENSE).
---
## 💬 Disclaimer
> ⚠️ **This tool is intended solely for educational and preservation purposes.**
> Please ensure compliance with local laws and terms of service.
---