Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time has always online DRM on Battle.net, but it was cracked with 24 hours of release.

The game launched on Windows PC via Battle.net; Blizzard Entertainment’s own store platform. It was soon discovered the game has always online DRM (digital rights management). On launch day, Blizzard Entertainment’s servers also had issues, reportedly leaving many unable to play the game for several hours [1, 2].

The Gamer reports that should a player lose internet connectivity while they are playing, they are also kicked out of the game. It should also be noted Crash Bandicoot 4 only has local multiplayer.

The situation perfectly demonstrates the issues many have with always online DRM, especially in a single player game. The constant checking that the player is legitimate fails if the servers are not working, or if they are ever shut down.

Activision and Blizzard Entertainment have both been criticized for implementing always online DRM, even when a game is being played in single-player mode, or has no online features. These include Diablo III, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019), Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2.

While DRM is usually implemented to prevent piracy, PC Gamer and DSO Gaming report the game’s DRM was cracked within 24 hours. Another complaint of always online DRM is how pirates can freely play the game, while paying gamers are beholden to their internet connectivity and the company’s servers.

You can find the full rundown (via the official website) below.

CRASH FOURWARD INTO A TIME SHATTERED ADVENTURE

NEW ADVENTURE

IT’S ABOUT TIME!
LITERALLY.

The devious villains Neo Cortex and Dr. N. Tropy have finally escaped their interdimensional prison, leaving an evil scientist sized hole in the universe. Now they’ve got their eyes set on not only simply conquering this dimension, but all dimensions, and it’s up to Crash and Coco to save the day. N. Sanity Beach is where Crash’s adventure first started, and where it begins in Crash 4. But there have definitely been changes since players first saw N. Sanity Beach all those years ago, and throughout Crash 4 you’ll notice changes to gameplay and even the art style.

NEW POWERS

ALL NEW POWERS
BEND THE RULES OF REALITY

Crash 4 introduces the Quantum Masks, the powerful protectors of time and space. Crash and Coco will need their assistance throughout the game to tackle the crazy challenges that are going to be thrown at gameplayers. Whether it’s Ika-Ika, who gives gamers the ability to instantly flip your center of gravity at the press of a button, Kupuna-Wa, who allows players to slow down time, or Lani-Loli, who allows one to phase-shift elements in and out of existence. Bend the rules of reality and alter your environment with these new masks on your journey to restore order to the multiverse.

NEW N.SANITY

EMBRACE IT.

Crash Bandicoot games have long been about finding new and interesting ways to play through the adventure. While you can switch between playing as Crash or Coco throughout this game, you’ll also get some fresh perspectives and new gameplay from alternate timeline paths. Learn some new tricks with Neo Cortex’s blaster or reek some havoc with Dingodile’s vacuum gun. On top of that, players can discover the bumpa berry-fueled take on mirror mode – n. Verted mode. This mode offers new ways to experience the game and earn rewards. One dimension could be asking you to traverse through a neon wasteland, while another tasks players with spinning paint all over the environment to see their path forward. Expect all of this n. Sanity – and more – in Crash 4.

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time is available on Windows PC (via Battle.net), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S. In case you missed it, you can find our review here (we recommend it!)

Image: Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time official website, Twitter