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Was Horizon Forbidden West Cracked 30 Seconds After Its PC Launch?

A 30-second crack claim circulated when Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition launched on PC in March 2024. The exact timing remains unverified.
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Contemporary reports said that Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition was cracked about 30 seconds after its PC release on March 21, 2024. That timing was attributed to social-media posts; it has not been independently verified, and PlayStation did not confirm it.

What was reported about the crack?

Everyeye reported on March 22, 2024, that the Steam version had been cracked by the Fairlight group roughly 30 seconds after release, citing social-media posts. Geekinout repeated the same claim in a launch-day report, also attributing it to a social post. The two reports show that the claim circulated at launch; neither independently establishes the elapsed time.

Everyeye also said the game had been preloaded, which it described as making the release easier to access at unlock. That is the outlet’s explanation, not a verified account of how the crack was prepared. Everyeye’s report and Geekinout’s report are contemporary coverage, not official confirmation.

When and where did the PC version launch?

PlayStation announced that Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition would arrive on PC on March 21, 2024, and confirmed on launch day that it was available through Steam and the Epic Games Store. The PC Complete Edition includes the Burning Shores expansion, which continues Aloy’s story after the main quest. PlayStation’s release announcement and launch-day post establish the date, edition and storefronts.

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Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition - PS5™
  • Experience the epic Horizon Forbidden West in its entirety, including bonus content and the Burning Shores expansion:
  • Brave an expansive open world – discover distant lands, new enemies, rich cultures and striking characters.
  • A majestic frontier – explore the lush forests, sunken cities and towering mountains of a far-future America.
  • Confront new dangers – engage in strategic battles against enormous machines and mounted human enemies by using weapons, gear and traps crafted from salvaged parts.
  • Unravel startling mysteries – uncover the secret behind Earth’s imminent collapse and unlock a hidden chapter in the ancient past… one that will change Aloy forever.

What did reports say about DRM?

Everyeye reported that the PC version did not use Denuvo and characterized Steam’s protection as the protection bypassed. Those details should remain attributed to the outlet: the PlayStation announcements reviewed for the release and launch do not specify which DRM, if any, was used. Steam’s protection and Denuvo are distinct, so the report should not be read as saying they are the same system.

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What is confirmed about the PC release?

PlayStation published the PC specifications and customization information on March 5, 2024, ahead of launch, including selectable graphics presets and in-game customization options. That material describes the PC release, but it does not verify the alleged crack timing or establish any effect on sales. PlayStation’s PC specifications post provides the official release context.

Rank #2
Horizon Forbidden West Standard Edition - PlayStation 5
  • An epic Action/RPG Adventure:
  • Brave an expansive open world - discover distant lands, new enemies, rich cultures and striking characters.
  • A majestic frontier - explore the lush forests, sunken cities and towering mountains of a far-future America.
  • Confront new dangers - engage in strategic battles against enormous machines and mounted human enemies by using weapons, gear and traps crafted from salvaged parts.
  • Unravel startling mysteries - uncover the secret behind Earth's imminent collapse and unlock a hidden chapter in the ancient past. one that will change Aloy forever.

No independently sourced sales figure, piracy rate or launch-concurrency number is established by the sources cited here, so the reported crack is not evidence of lost sales or a change in publisher policy.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 2
Horizon Forbidden West Standard Edition - PlayStation 5
Horizon Forbidden West Standard Edition - PlayStation 5
An epic Action/RPG Adventure:
$41.40
Bestseller No. 3
Rank #4
Horizon Forbidden West - For PlayStation 5
  • A Majestic Frontier - Explore the lush forests, sunken cities and towering mountains of a far-future America.
  • Brave An Expansive Open World - Discover distant lands, new enemies, rich cultures and striking characters.
  • Confront New Dangers - Engage in strategic battles against enormous machines and mounted human enemies by using weapons, gear and traps crafted from salvaged parts.
  • Unravel Startling Mysteries - Uncover the secret behind Earth's imminent collapse and unlock a hidden chapter in the ancient past... one that will change Aloy forever.
Rank #3
Horizon Forbidden West Launch Edition - PlayStation 5 - PlayStation 5
  • An epic Action/RPG Adventure:
  • Brave an expansive open world - discover distant lands, new enemies, rich cultures and striking characters.
  • A majestic frontier - explore the lush forests, sunken cities and towering mountains of a far-future America.
  • Confront new dangers - engage in strategic battles against enormous machines and mounted human enemies by using weapons, gear and traps crafted from salvaged parts.
  • Unravel startling mysteries - uncover the secret behind Earth's imminent collapse and unlock a hidden chapter in the ancient past. one that will change Aloy forever.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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