When games were sold physically on DVDs, the developers included a check in the software code. Every time the game launched, it would look for the original disc to verify that the user owned a legitimate copy. If the disc was not found, the game would refuse to start.
So, why did fans opt for the no-CD crack update? For one, it offered convenience. No longer did players need to worry about scratching or losing the game disc. The crack also enabled users to play the game on computers without a CD/DVD drive, making it a popular choice for those with laptops or netbooks.
: Use community fixes from PCGamingWiki to enable widescreen support and adjustable FOV.