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How To Play The Crackdown 2 Demo Forever

Gaming the system is not consistent with Agency policy, agent.

It's a bummer that Ruffian Games and Microsoft shackled Crackdown 2's demo to 30 minutes. The limit narrows the experience to a simple orb-grabbing spree, as opposed to giving you the opportunity to explore the game's world and interact with it in earnest. But there's a way to slip out of the cuffs.

Last afternoon, a neat user-created video appeared on 1UP, showing you how to beat the game's timer and put it into an infinite loop. It's rather easy, too. After you confirm the color for your character's armor and right before the menu confirmation to launch the demo, pull out your Xbox 360's network connection while pressing A. An error message will then display, prompting you to reconnect. Cancel it and reconnect through the dashboard. Now start the demo and enjoy the infinite time loop!

1UP has video, which may help.

== TEASER ==  

  
 
MTV Multiplayer has confirmed that this trick works and corroborates one big caveat: you can't initiate a race while in this infinite loop, as it resets the timer. Still, friends can join you while your game is stuck in this loop, and perhaps more importantly, the achievements earned will still count, provided that you exit the demo through the game's UI.
 
How much can you unlock before needing to leave your Xbox 360? I just managed to hit driving level six, which, in the demo, gives you nothing. But the tank was hip!

153 Comments

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Sanious

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Edited By Sanious
@ch13696: Well, this glitch doesn't effect other players in a bad way. The kind of glitches that people find in a multiplayer game like Call of Duty do, it gives another player and unfair advantage, so it's not really hypocritical and your point is pretty moot on that.
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HydraHam

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Edited By HydraHam
@innovacious said:
" I didnt think Giantbomb was the kind of place to post exploits. Especialy ones like this that arnt far off from being warez.  Oh, its just Brad N again. "
This is a game news site, this is news, and last time i checked bugs/glitches/exploits were not the same as stealing a full game, it's not our fault the devs effed up with the exploit they could easily patch it. 
 
People need to get off their high horse and enjoy the little things like this
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JamesKelly

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Edited By JamesKelly

Man, some of you guys are hilarious, it's a simple exploits to reset a timer, I'm sure if something of this caliber could destroy video games forever it would have done so back in the 80s. I'll agree it's iffy to be news, but some of you need to get off your high horse, or at least go make your own video game website that no one else will care about.
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Milkman

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Edited By Milkman

I would do this if I could guarantee that I will even buy the game when it came out.

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Xeiphyer

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Edited By Xeiphyer

Aha! I was hoping for something like this to show up! I tried repeatedly pressing pause when the timer was only a few seconds away, so that it might get paused past the 30 minute mark and thus go forever. (It worked for Just Cause 2 after all).

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ch13696

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Edited By ch13696

First off to all the people that are angry about this post. One being an exploit and two being front page. Who cares. It's just a demo, you don't get everything in it. It's just an extended timer. The front page complaints is bull crap. Everything ends up on the front page. I can post something on the forums right now and that will be on the front page also. 
 
To everyone that is loving this exploit. Talk about can't take what you dish out.. You complain and complain when someone uses a glitch against you, but when something like this benefits you then you're all for it. Pitiful. 
 
So have fun everyone. And kiss my hairy ass. =p

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EthanielRain

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Edited By EthanielRain

Hmmm...I would say that this is right up GB's alley.  AFAIK we're mostly adults here and this doesn't cross the line of pirating or what not - just a way to make your gaming experience better :O)
 
I think it's similar to cuss words.  Sometimes a hearty "fuck!" gets your point across better than anything else, and so long as you don't cross a certain line GB is down with that.

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Sgt_Mojo

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Edited By Sgt_Mojo

nice !

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kylekrueger

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Edited By kylekrueger
@Potter9156: it's after e3 and news is slow maybe?
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Detrian

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Edited By Detrian
@Potter9156 said:
" @Detrian said:
" @Potter9156 said:

" Simple glitches are now front page news stories? The crap?  "

Are you dense? This basically adds hours and hours of gameplay to the demo."
I think you're forgetting that this is a glitch, in a demo. A glitch. How can that possibly warrant a full, front page news story?  "

You really don't see how getting unfettered access to a big part of the content of an important game release is news. Really.
 
Also Giantbomb is a fucking website, not a newspaper. Stop thinking about the FRONT PAGE as if it were anything more important than a bunch of links to articles.
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Potter9156

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Edited By Potter9156
@Detrian said:
" @Potter9156 said:

" Simple glitches are now front page news stories? The crap?  "

Are you dense? This basically adds hours and hours of gameplay to the demo."

I think you're forgetting that this is a glitch, in a demo. A glitch. How can that possibly warrant a full, front page news story? 
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Vorbis

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Edited By Vorbis

You all forgot about the Just Cause 2 demo where the GB crew talked about avoiding the demo timer by staying at the start of the game on the podcast?
 
Or do you choose to block it out because they're your "favourite" GB members?
 
This Brad N hate is getting old.

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deactivated-5b531a34b946c

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I don't get it.. I just don't. Why are you all so effing angry?! It's a demo! With a glitch! Oh no, instead of restarting the dang thing 15 times, you can just play straight through. If you weren't going to restart the demo, you PROBABLY DON'T CARE. But those who would? I bet they're stoked about this. 

Down that same road, why are you complaining about what hits the front page? You know what lesson I learned in life? You can't always get what you want - unless you make it yourself. You want to moderate every bit of information that hits the front page of a gaming news site? You better get cracking on making your own, because no one with a site is going to take their standing orders from you. They post what they care about, and I bet at least one person at the Giant Bomb offices is happy about being able to artificially extend the timer.

Seriously, they posted a 3 minute video showing the 360 S booting up without the WiFi adapter. Is that news? No, but it's interesting. Get off your high horse or go make a site where you deserve said horse and a troop of interns to post the awesome "news" you think deserves to be there. Then watch and horror as twenty people call you, your family, and your website stupid because THEY don't care about Gears 3 screenshots.

Completely on topic: this is pretty cool. Sadly, when you end up seeing things you're not meant to see, it can paint a poor impression on the actual product. Also, it looks like Slim users on WiFi are out of luck (unless they go for the router or modem.) I may end up doing this, but the initial playthrough of mine was pretty "meh."

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Rehehelly

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Edited By Rehehelly
@BestUsernameEver said:
" thats one hack the new xbox will not be able to do. For the first time ever, built in Wifi is a con. "
Disconnect your router ...?
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BestUsernameEver

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Edited By BestUsernameEver

thats one hack the new xbox will not be able to do. For the first time ever, built in Wifi is a con.

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JJWeatherman

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Edited By JJWeatherman

It's too bad my fancy new xbox can't--easily--be disconnected from the internet.

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Detrian

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Edited By Detrian
@Potter9156 said:

" Simple glitches are now front page news stories? The crap?  "

Are you dense? This basically adds hours and hours of gameplay to the demo.
 
Also don't be stupid, people. The entire game is not available and saying this is warez is dumb as fuck.
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Potter9156

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Edited By Potter9156

Simple glitches are now front page news stories? The crap? 

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r0h0w

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Edited By r0h0w

If you do use this exploit whatever you do don't start a rooftop race.  I was immediately kicked to the "coming soon" screen when starting one.  It must log the timer in or something.  Just a  heads up.

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Trilogy

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Edited By Trilogy
@SuperfluousMoniker said:
" God, people are stupid. It's not like this is the Shadow Complex demo exploit that let you play the whole game or something. We need a term for software exploit white knights. "
Nerds?
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CallMeMatub

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Edited By CallMeMatub

I just made an HD tutorial vid. I figured something this awesome needs to be seen as an HD screen cap.

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CustardArmy

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Edited By CustardArmy

everyone calm down its just a demo, its not the full game, jeez...
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Daftasabat

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Edited By Daftasabat

The timer glitch isn't something new, remember Just Cause 2? You could do the same with that albeit with a different config. Keep them timed demo's coming :)

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MetalGearSunny

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Edited By MetalGearSunny
@skrutop said:
" That's weak.  How the hell would someone figure that out? "
Someone must have disconnected from Xbox Live by accident at that exact screen.
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nick69

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Edited By nick69

Awesome. 

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LiquidPrince

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Edited By LiquidPrince
@innovacious said:
" I didnt think Giantbomb was the kind of place to post exploits. Especialy ones like this that arnt far off from being warez.  Oh, its just Brad N again. "
Seriously, quiet down...
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SuperfluousMoniker

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God, people are stupid. It's not like this is the Shadow Complex demo exploit that let you play the whole game or something. We need a term for software exploit white knights.

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gike987

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Edited By gike987
@Tenshin said:

" Giantbomb doesn't let you post links to cracked game executables. But seems it's ok to post video tutorials on how to glitch out a demo and get achievements for playing it. Tsk. :P How did this get featured? This ain't news man. "

Helping people pirate games != bypassing timers in a limited demo.
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natetodamax

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Edited By natetodamax
@TheGreatGuero said:
" Wait, so I can seriously unlock achievements through the demo? No way. "
They only unlock when you put in the full retail game.
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jakob187

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Edited By jakob187

Very cool to know that it still counts the achievements. 
 
Personally, though, I kind of like the 30 minute timer for the demo.  It presents a challenge for me, and that's what Crackdown was always about in the first place:  the challenges they presented you with, like the achievements.

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tranquilchaos

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Edited By tranquilchaos
@innovacious said:
" I didnt think Giantbomb was the kind of place to post exploits. Especialy ones like this that arnt far off from being warez.  Oh, its just Brad N again. "
Fuck off, choir boy.
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ZmillA

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Edited By ZmillA
@Tenshin said:
" Giantbomb doesn't let you post links to cracked gam1e executables. But seems it's ok to post video tutorials on how to glitch out a demo and get achievements for playing it. Tsk. :P How did this get featured? This ain't news man. "
you have to buy the game to get the achievements OWNED NOOB!
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goulash_enjoyer

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Edited By goulash_enjoyer
@Tenshin said:
" Giantbomb doesn't let you post links to cracked game executables. But seems it's ok to post video tutorials on how to glitch out a demo and get achievements for playing it. Tsk. :P How did this get featured? This ain't news man. "
These new freelancers are RENEGADES.
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ZmillA

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Edited By ZmillA

just got done playing for a couple hours, maxed out most skills, have no desire to buy the full game :)

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Brackynews

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Edited By Brackynews

I bet this young man is an experienced ragequitter. Who knew it could be harnessed for Good?
Or at least, Chaotic-Good.

@Tenshin said:

"But seems it's ok to post video tutorials on how to glitch out a demo and get achievements for playing it. Tsk. :P How did this get featured? This ain't news man. "

It's reposting something from another blog. Where the hell have you been lately? ;)
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MisterMouse

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Edited By MisterMouse

haha that is crazy and also a great ploy

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Tenshin

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Edited By Tenshin

Giantbomb doesn't let you post links to cracked game executables. But seems it's ok to post video tutorials on how to glitch out a demo and get achievements for playing it. Tsk. :P How did this get featured? This ain't news man.

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matiaz_tapia

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Edited By matiaz_tapia
@GuttlessCashew:  Nah, I'm just posting an overly-done sarcastic thing for emphasis. 
  I simply don't like the idea of posting this kind of stuff this way ( in giantbomb, I don't think it was ever their style).  It's "making it ok" to take advantage of a situation. 
 Also I don't like the way it's written, or how there's even video instructions for it.  
 
 Sorry, can't agree in this being a good thing, nothing to do with Brad N either.
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deactivated-5b43dadb9061b

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@natetodamax:  Yes, next week actually. They have it planned already.
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Ravenlight

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Edited By Ravenlight

I bet there's an achievement in the full game for breaking the demo.

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Sogeman

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Edited By Sogeman

What's up with you people, are you all on drugs? What's with all the hate, please get off my Internet

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TheGreatGuero

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Edited By TheGreatGuero

Wait, so I can seriously unlock achievements through the demo? No way.

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thespartandon

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Edited By thespartandon
@natetodamax: Really!? It's an glitch, that doesn't harm anyone and only makes the experience better for people who are playing it. Do you really think people aren't going to buy the game because they now have unlimited time? Your still trapped on one island and can only do so many missions before there's none left and stuck doing nothing.  
  
Honestly having the unlimited time to fully upgrade my Agent only encourages me to buy the full game. Since I can now actually experience the fun of a fully upgraded character.
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SmotPoker

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Edited By SmotPoker
@Deathpooky said:
" @SmotPoker said:
" @Deathpooky said:
" Coming up next - how to crack that shareware game of yours so you don't have to pay! Seriously, this is kind of shady stuff.  Abusing an obvious bug to give you unlimited time in a time-limited demo?  Don't we normally keep this on the darker parts of the Internet instead of giving it a mainstream seal of approval? "
Yeah, you're absolutely right. What a perfect example. This demo is basically the full game with saving capabilities. This glitch lets people basically steal the game for free. I am outraged! Wait, it isn't fully featured and doesn't include saving? Well...fuck you for bypassing the demo timer! How dare you try and play a limited demo without a time restriction that was released to raise interest in the game. "
It's obviously not the full game, but that doesn't make it perfectly fine to use an exploit to bypass developer-imposed limits on a free demo.  There's a reason this game (same as Just Cause 2) put time limits on their demos.  It's supposed to give you a taste of the game and of powering up and exploring so you'll want to purchase it.  Without a timer, you can basically spend a day screwing around in their sandbox, power up your guy and explore quite a bit, and then decide you don't want to purchase the full game because you've basically been able to play Crackdown 2-lite.  Or play the demo for a weekend instead of renting the game. My main problem is putting it on GB's front page like it's an absolutely acceptable thing to do to get around the evil developer's "shackles" they put on their free demo.    You can piss and moan about time limits, but that doesn't give you the right to exploit your way around the restrictions they wanted to put on the demo.  It's shady. "
Yeah, you're absolutely correct. It's not like people can just restart the demo after the 30 minute time limit has passed. With this bypass, I can fully power up my character and receive none of the level 6 rewards, exhilarating! By simply removing the timer from this demo, no one will purchase the full game as they have seen all that the game has to offer from this limited demo.
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This_Dude

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Edited By This_Dude

well,  this may warrant me downloading the demo again.  I deleted it after i earned 2 of the acheivements, but the game couldn't connect to the server to upload them,  so i got angry and shut it down.

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JustinSane311

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Edited By JustinSane311

How is this news?

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Suigyoken

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Edited By Suigyoken

Also a little update... seems like if you do a race or something the demo time will count down again... weird.

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natetodamax

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Edited By natetodamax

Not sure how I feel about Giant Bomb promoting exploits. Sure it's just a demo but what's next? How to pirate?

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EvolutionX0

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Edited By EvolutionX0

played it for a couple of hours with my friend, its a really good game when there wasn't a time limit.