Valorant anti-cheat dev explains how CoD can fix hacking problem

As a seasoned gamer who’s spent countless hours battling it out in competitive multiplayer games, I can’t help but feel exasperated by the persistent hacking issue plaguing Call of Duty. Just when you think it’s under control, it rears its ugly head again. It’s like playing a game of whack-a-mole with cheaters instead of enemies!


A representative from Riot Games who specializes in their anti-cheat solution, Vanguard, has shared insights on potential strategies Activision could adopt to effectively combat the hacking issues in Call of Duty, which have so far eluded resolution by their Ricochet software.

Ever since the debut of Black Ops 6, especially with the introduction of Ranked Play, the hacking issue in Call of Duty has spiraled out of control yet again. In higher-ranked games, it’s nearly impossible to find a fair match free of cheaters, and unfortunately, this problem has resurfaced in Warzone as well, much like it often does.

As a devoted enthusiast, I’ve found myself disheartened by the current state of the game. It seems that some players have lost hope, choosing to step away rather than engage due to ongoing issues. Even though Activision announced the banning of approximately 19,000 accounts in a recent sweep, the problem persists unabated.

At the complete other end, Riot’s anti-cheat system, Vanguard, is employed in popular games like League of Legends and Valorant. Although not flawless, it boasts a significantly higher success rate compared to others. Now, one of the experts from Vanguard has offered insights on Ricochet, suggesting potential improvements.

In my opinion, I would recommend moving attention away from over-relying on AI systems for these problems. Although AI is valuable, it’s evident that it isn’t fully resolving the main issue at hand. A more impactful strategy could be to tackle the cheats head-on instead of solely depending on data patterns or artificial models to detect suspicious activities.

Having installed a driver at the core system level, it’s possible to identify local cheats without requiring additional drivers during startup. Essentially, we have the necessary tools; what remains is to utilize them efficiently.

In my opinion, I’d prefer to divert our attention from over-relying on AI solutions for these problems. Although AI has its uses, it’s evident that it’s not entirely solving the fundamental issue at hand. A more productive strategy could be to tackle the root cause – the cheats themselves – rather than solely relying on…

— GamerDoc (@ItsGamerDoc) November 22, 2024

In their discussion, they touched upon a point that’s caused controversy among numerous gamers. Specifically, it’s the fact that console users don’t have the option to turn off crossplay in Ranked modes, which means everyone encounters the same challenge regardless of their platform.

They expressed their worry that console gamers are compelled to compete in an unsafe setting. If cross-platform play is essential, it might be beneficial to enforce similar Windows security features as on Xbox and PlayStation, which could establish a more equitable and balanced gaming environment for those prioritizing competition’s integrity.

It was determined that if cheating significantly affects top players and the overall competitive environment, a fresh strategy might be necessary.

Initially, privacy worries cropped up when Vanguard was introduced, due to its kernel-level anti-cheat system. However, it’s hard to argue against the fact that it has been significantly more successful than Ricochet at identifying and eliminating hackers.

It’s uncertain if Activision will switch strategies and implement measures against cheaters yet, but given the current situation, players are yearning for changes that could provide them with a respite from such issues.

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2024-11-27 21:29