In the mid-2000s, physical media like CDs were still the standard for PC games. However, the cumbersome nature of swapping disks and the fear of CD-key validation systems led many to seek out no-CD cracks. These patches, created by ingenious (or notorious, depending on your perspective) individuals within the gaming community, allowed games to run without the need for the original CD, often bypassing DRM (Digital Rights Management) protections in the process.