PC version of Crash Bandicoot 4 launches exclusively on Battle.net, players discover it's always-online Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. PC version of Crash Bandicoot 4 launches exclusively on Battle.net, players discover it's always-online The wrath. News by Wesley Yin-Poole Deputy Editorial Director Updated on 27 Mar 2021 65 comments The PC version of Crash Bandicoot 4 launched exclusively on Battle.net yesterday - and players weren't exactly thrilled to discover it's always-online. Crash Bandicoot 4, which does not have any online multiplayer, requires an internet connection to play on PC - as seems to be standard practice with Battle.net games. Watch on YouTube Eurogamer news cast: Does Sony have a responsibility to preserve its gaming history? Players have reported issues with this requirement, such as login errors that force the game to close. These login errors reportedly present themselves even when your internet drops while playing. It also means that any issues Blizzard experiences with its authentication servers could make the game unplayable. And then of course there's the issue of the game's ongoing playablity in the event of a server shutdown by Activision. As Activision states on Crash Bandicoot 4's product page on Battle.net: "Activision makes no guarantee regarding the availability of online features and may modify or discontinue those at its discretion without notice." Activision's other Battle.net games, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, have a similar always-online requirement. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2, which is available on PC via the Epic Games Store, also has an always-online requirement. But the difference here is Crash Bandicoot 4 is a single-player game whose multiplayer is local play only. As you'd expect, this hasn't gone down well with PC gamers, who have expressed their concern on social media and forums. Imagine trying to play a singleplayer game with always-online DRM during this time... (Crash 4)- PhoenixRising (@ZacharyCarreiro) March 27, 2021 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings Imagine being in the middle of a very hard challenge (which is extremely common in Crash 4) and your internet disconnects during a great run. Fun. #CrashBandicoot4 #DRM- (Back on the 23rd) FunSizeDragon (@FunSizeDragon) March 27, 2021 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings 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 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings I am fucking done with the anti-customer direction of gaming.When you BUY a game but are unable to play due to bad DRM and always online in a strictly SINGLE PLAYER game.My rule is to not buy always online single player games. Made an exception for Crash 4.Was a mistake. pic.twitter.com/dGp8GLMneb- ItsYoji (@Its_Yoji) March 26, 2021 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings WHYYY???!!! My connection is great, and I just logged in. from r/crashbandicoot To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings It seems reasonable to assume Activision included the always-online requirement in a bid to prevent piracy. However, just a day after it came out, Crash Bandicoot 4 has been cracked, which means those willing to pirate the game may have a better experience than legitimate customers. Curiously, it seems this always-online requirement does not apply to the upcoming Diablo 2: Resurrected. Last month Blizzard confirmed the Battle.net-exclusive remaster is playable offline. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 4 Atari will hold RollerCoaster Tycoon rights for another decade Ups and downs. 7 Lady Dimitrescu will be a tad smaller in Resident Evil Village's Mercenaries DLC Level the playing field. 1 Overwatch 2 suffers another DDoS attack and character roster bugs Mei Mei. 13 Latest Articles Digital Foundry Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090: a new level in graphics performance The Digital Foundry video review - and how the new GPU champion delivers for 4K 120fps gaming. 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