Crash Bandicoot 4 launched exclusively on Battle.net this past Friday (26th), and players have found that the game requires a constant internet connection to play.
While this would make sense in a game that has multiplayer, Crash Bandicoot 4 is primarily a single-player game, so fans are understandably frustrated.
The always-online DRM is causing issues for players trying to login as there appears to be issues with Blizzard’s servers.
Players are reporting crashes and connection issues, which is making the game unplayable for some. None of the console versions of Crash Bandicoot 4 have the DRM feature, meaning console players can play online and offline with no issues.
Always-online DRM
It’s only been a few days since the game’s launch, and there are already numerous fans taking their complaints to Blizzard via Twitter. Bungie has acknowledged the issue via Twitter.
Digital Rights Management or DRM is infamous with the PC community for its effects on game performance. Blizzard employs the technology across a number of its PC games, including the recent Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 remaster.
Businesses like Blizzard use the technology to limit piracy of the game, but cracks of Crash Bandicoot 4 have already appeared online. This means that pirates are currently enjoying a more consistent experience than those fans who paid for the title.
Past instances
There have been numerous cases of always-online DRM causing issues for players. One of the most infamous examples was the launch of SimCity in 2013.
EA claimed the game needed a constant online connection to play, but on launch weekend and for the weeks following after players were not able to play the game. Shortly after launch, hackers had managed to crack a version of the title that was playable offline.
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