Today, Activision launched Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time on PC via Battle.net; unfortunately, players have discovered the single-player platform title requires an internet connection. A direct sequel to the original Naughty Dog trilogy, Crash Bandicoot 4 hit store shelves last September for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The publisher rolled out upgrades for the newer consoles earlier this month. Unsurprisingly, those versions don't employ always-online practices.
Video games that demand users maintain an active internet connection while playing are nothing new. In recent years, however, it has become a strong point of contention throughout the industry, especially when it comes to single-player experiences that lack online components. Such instances of DRM by publishers and developers are most notably common in the PC gaming space, due to ongoing concerns about piracy. As many would expect, Activision is no stranger DRM, but the publisher is bound to receive pushback for the always-online requirements in one recently released marsupial-starring adventure.
At long last, Activision has deployed the PC version of Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time on PC via the Battle.net launcher. As noted by DSOGaming, though, the exciting release comes with an unfortunate caveat attached - even this single-player platform adventure requires players to maintain an internet connection at all times. No exceptions. Thus, if a PC user loses their connection at random, the latest Crash Bandicoot installment is bound to suddenly be rendered unplayable until the player resolves the issue.
Admittedly, this does not come as too much of a surprise, considering the vast majority of Activision's Battle.net releases of late have demanded a persistent internet connection. Fans were likely hoping an exception would be made for Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time, however. After all, Diablo II: Resurrected will launch later this year with an offline mode in tow.
Over the last few years, Activision has revived several of its classic titles. It essentially started with 2017's Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, then continued when Spyro the Dragon reentered the stratosphere with 2018's launch of Spyro Reignited Trilogy. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 saw the classic skating franchise return last year, and now Diablo fans have a remaster to look forward to later in the year.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time is out now on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S platforms.
Source: DSOGaming