In an effort to combat what Capcom calls “rampant” game sharing, it has implemented a form of DRM in Final Fight Double Impact that prevents users from booting up the game unless they are logged-in to their PSN account with an active internet connection. This restriction emerges on top of a 24-hour rule that prevents shared titles from being accessed by more than one account in the span of a day.

Note that it’s not quite as invasive as the persistent DRM Ubisoft employed in its latest range of PC offerings, as players are free to unplug their net once authenticated in-game. Subsequent attempts to start up the game will check for an active internet connection each time, however.

The real clincher here is that while Final Fight Double Impact has a multiplayer component, one would not expect such a restriction to be present in a title that for all intents and purposes, is single-player focused. Additionally, the purchase page on PSN makes no mention of requiring an online connection.

According to a post on the IGN forums, that cites an “admin” at Capcom, the company has not yet made the decision to implement this protection with all titles going forward, but is considering it — depending on how effective it is.

Is Capcom taking the fight against PSN game sharing too far with this approach?

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