Crimson Desert discs leaked a week before release, but the Resident Evil Requiem “mistake” wasn’t repeated—some players are unhappy with the DRM system
The studio anticipated that some players might receive physical copies of Crimson Desert well ahead of the official launch.
While Crimson Desert isn’t officially scheduled for release until March 20, physical discs have already begun appearing in the hands of some consumers. However, unlike the leak-heavy situation surrounding Resident Evil Requiem, spoilers have not flooded the internet yet, thanks to a protective measure implemented by the developers.
Access to the physical version is strictly restricted; gameplay will only be unlocked on launch day. This barrier cannot be bypassed by simply altering the system’s date, as the game requires a mandatory internet connection for its initial activation.
While this decision by the Crimson Desert creators has successfully halted potential leaks, it has raised concerns among some fans. There is a lingering worry that those without stable internet access on release day may find themselves unable to play their purchased copy.
Community discussions have compared these physical discs to the “Nintendo Game Key-card” system, where the media serves more as an authentication tool than a standalone product.
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