Crimson Desert’s Mandatory PS5 Update Sparks Debate About Games Which Break Street Date

by

You won’t be able to play physical copies of Crimson Desert without downloading an update.

The game’s official FAQ says that after downloading the necessary files from Sony’s servers, you can play the game completely offline. However, you’ll need an internet connection to start it up for the first time.

The decision has caused a lot of discussion online. Some people are happy with it because it’s prevented information about the product from being leaked early. Others, however, aren’t thrilled with the change, and that’s understandable.

VideoTechUK, a popular Rockstar Games fan account on X (formerly Twitter), mentioned old and untrue rumors about Grand Theft Auto 6. These rumors claimed that physical Blu-ray copies of the game might be delayed to prevent them from being leaked before the official release date.

Parent company Take-Two has since denied those reports.

But VideoTechUK ruffled feathers with the following message:

Crimson Desert is the first game to secure physical copies before release, which is a great move to stop information leaks. More game companies, particularly Rockstar, should follow suit. Hopefully, this practice becomes standard in the industry.

Honestly, I was pretty shocked by that statement, especially with all the backlash Nintendo’s getting over these new Game Key Cards. It seems like they’re making Switch 2 owners download games even when you buy a physical copy, which totally defeats the point of having physical games in the first place – you know, for keeping them safe and playable for years to come!

One user responded:

It’s frustrating when companies prioritize superficial extras over making games easily available and affordable for players. These limited, physical editions shouldn’t become standard practice. Let’s not support business tactics that prioritize profit over the enjoyment of the game itself – a game’s value isn’t just about when it’s released.

The account Does It Play, which is dedicated to the practice of game preservation, added:

Some people argue that required updates and DRM for physical games are acceptable to prevent spoilers, but consider the implications! This could mean losing true ownership and the freedom to play when and how you want. Is it fair to restrict someone from enjoying a game they legally own just because another person hasn’t received their copy yet?

It’s a tricky situation, honestly, because I totally get why people get upset about spoilers. Just recently, Capcom had to ask fans not to share details about Resident Evil Requiem after some copies accidentally shipped out early – like, a whole week before the game was even supposed to be released! It’s frustrating for everyone involved when that happens.

We don’t think forcing downloads is the answer. It actually takes away from what makes buying physical copies so appealing, which explains why people disagreed with the initial idea.

Maybe the best approach is to hold off on making physical copies of the game until most of the problems are fixed. Then, we can release a version on the disc that has all the latest updates.

Players might have to wait a bit longer, or even purchase the game twice, but this approach would avoid spoilers and guarantee the most polished version of the game is on the disc.

Read More

2026-03-14 22:07