The PC version of Crash Bandicoot 4 was released yesterday exclusively on Battle.net – and players weren’t exactly thrilled to discover that it is always online.
Crash Bandicoot 4, which has no online multiplayer, requires an internet connection to play on the PC – as seems to be standard practice with Battle.net games.
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Players have reported problems with this requirement, such as login errors that force the game to close. These login errors appear even when your internet goes down during the game. It also means that any problems that Blizzard faces with its authentication servers can make the game impossible to play.
And then, of course, there is the problem of the game’s continued gameplay in the event of a server shutdown by Activision. As Activision states on the Crash Bandicoot 4 product page on Battle.net: “Activision makes no warranty regarding the availability of online features and may modify or discontinue those at its discretion without notice.”
Other Activision Battle.net games, like Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, have a similar requirement as always online. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2, which is available for PC through the Epic Games Store, also has a requirement always online. But the difference here is that Crash Bandicoot 4 is a single player game whose multiplayer is only local.
As expected, this did not go down well for PC gamers, who expressed their concern on social media and forums.
Imagine trying to play a singleplayer game with DRM always online during that time … (Failure 4)
– Zachary Carreiro (@ZacharyCarreiro) March 27, 2021
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Imagine being in the middle of a very difficult challenge (which is extremely common in Crash 4) and your internet disconnecting during a big race. Fun. # CrashBandicoot4 #DRM
– FunSizeDragon (@FunSizeDragon) March 27, 2021
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Crash 4 on the PC always has DRM online. This is unacceptable and only ends up harming the legitimate consumer. pic.twitter.com/QKcvkH2lTk
– RibShark (@RibShark) March 26, 2021
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I’m fed up with anti-client gaming direction.
When you BUY a game, but are unable to play due to bad DRM and always online in a game strictly for ONE PLAYER.
My rule is not to buy games for a player always online. Made an exception for Crash 4.
It was a mistake. pic.twitter.com/dGp8GLMneb
– ItsYoji (@Its_Yoji) March 26, 2021
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WHY ??? !!! My connection is great and I just joined. From r / crashbandicoot
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It seems reasonable to assume that Activision included the requirement of always online in an attempt to prevent piracy. However, just a day after it was released, Crash Bandicoot 4 was broken, meaning that those who wish to pirate the game can have a better experience than legitimate customers.
Interestingly, it seems that this requirement always online does not apply to the next Diablo 2: Resurrected. Last month, Blizzard confirmed the exclusive remaster for Battle.net It’s playable offline.