Capcom acknowledged that copy protection in the PS3 version of Final Fight: Double Impact requires an always-on Internet connection to play the game, and apologized that a notice of such DRM was not given at the time of purchase.


PS3 users who downloaded the bundle of 1990s arcade classics noticed that the game quits completely if the console loses its connection to the PlayStation Network - whether in single- or multiplayer. Capcom faced outrage over the restriction on its own community forums.

In a statement today, the publisher apologized "for the issues consumers are having." But the solution it is working on with Sony Computer Entertainment America involves providing notice of the DRM in the game's description page on the PlayStation Store in North America and Asia, not removing or altering the DRM.


"The DRM requirements for Final Fight: Double Impact are not unique to this release," Capcom said. "This protection mechanism has been implemented in numerous games offered on the PlayStation Store before." Capcom did not respond immediately to a follow-up question asking what previous games required a constant connection.

Earlier this week, however, a user on an IGN forum posted a response he said came from a Capcom admin responding to his complaint. The admin said the DRM was a "limitation of the Sony network" and its inclusion on Final Fight: Double Impact was meant "to combat the rampant 'PSN Sharing' that has been going on over the last year."

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"We are not committed to do this with all titles moving forward but the only way to evaluate impact was to try it with one title first," the admin wrote.