Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time launched for PC via Battle.net on March 26 with always-online DRM, an odd addition for a game that doesn’t have multiplayer. This type of DRM has been used in other Battle.net games such as Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. According to a user on ResetEra, the DRM was circumvented in just one day.
EuroGamer has also reported on server issues that prevented players from logging in and playing the game they paid for. Blizzard said it is looking into the matter but won’t be including an offline mode for it, which is peculiar since Diablo 2: Resurrected, another Battle.net exclusive, will.
Crash 4 on PC has always online DRM. This is unacceptable, and only ends up harming legitimate consumers. pic.twitter.com/QKcvkH2lTk
— RibShark (@RibShark) March 26, 2021
We’re currently investigating an issue affecting our authentication servers, which may result in failed or slow login attempts. #BlizzCS
— Blizzard CS EU (@BlizzardCSEU_EN) March 26, 2021
Numerous online forums have been filling up with complaints by those who paid for the game and cannot play it, while those with pirated copies can enjoy it without issue. It has also raised questions as to why a single-player game would even need such measures.