Online gaming has evolved significantly over the years, offering exciting and immersive experiences for players worldwide. However, as gaming communities grow, so do the challenges posed by cheaters. From aimbots to wallhacks, cheating has become a significant issue in many popular online games, often ruining the experience for legitimate players. In response, game developers have implemented increasingly sophisticated anti-cheat systems to combat these malicious players and ensure fairness in the gaming ecosystem.
In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 games with the strictest anti-cheat measures, highlighting how they detect and prevent cheating and maintain a level playing field for everyone.
Riot Games’ Valorant has become a leading example of a modern first-person shooter with robust anti-cheat measures. The game uses Vanguard, an anti-cheat system that combines kernel-level protection with other detection methods. Vanguard works by monitoring your system before the game even starts, ensuring that cheat software cannot be loaded undetected. It is known for its strictness, and any attempt to bypass its security often leads to permanent bans.
While Vanguard’s kernel-level approach has been controversial due to concerns about privacy and system performance, it has proven to be highly effective in detecting and banning cheaters. Riot Games continually updates the system to stay ahead of new cheating techniques.
Battlefield V by Electronic Arts has been known for implementing some of the strictest anti-cheat measures in the industry. The game uses FairFight, a server-side system that monitors player behavior and detects irregularities. Unlike client-side systems, FairFight analyzes player actions in real-time to identify abnormal behavior, such as an inhumanly high accuracy rate or an abnormal kill-to-death ratio. Read our article about 10 famous streamers caught cheating on air.
Additionally, Battlefield V also integrates Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC), which helps catch cheaters at the client level. This combination of server-side and client-side anti-cheat systems makes Battlefield V one of the most secure multiplayer shooters available.
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) is a battle royale game that has become notorious for cheating. To combat this, PUBG Corporation has implemented BattleEye, one of the most effective anti-cheat systems in the industry. BattleEye uses a combination of signature-based and heuristic detection to identify cheaters, actively scanning for cheat software and unauthorized behavior.
Additionally, PUBG also employs a cloud-based anti-cheat system to protect against malicious activity, offering a multi-layered approach to keeping the game fair. The developers are committed to updating and refining their anti-cheat measures, with continuous efforts to address new cheating tactics.
Call of Duty: Warzone is one of the most popular battle royale games globally, and with its massive player base, cheating has become a major issue. To tackle this, Warzone relies on RICOCHET, an in-house anti-cheat system introduced by Activision in 2021. RICOCHET uses both kernel-level and server-side protections, monitoring players’ systems for cheat software and suspicious activity.
The system works by actively detecting and blocking common cheat tools, such as aimbots and wallhacks, and is continuously updated to combat evolving cheating methods. RICOCHET also integrates with BattleNet, Activision’s platform, to provide additional layers of protection and to enforce permanent bans for confirmed cheaters.
Fortnite, developed by Epic Games, has long been one of the most popular online games, and it has consistently implemented robust anti-cheat measures. The game uses Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC), which is highly effective at detecting cheating software and protecting the integrity of the game. EAC works by scanning players’ systems for cheats while they are in the game, making it difficult for cheaters to use third-party tools without being detected.
Epic Games also continuously updates Fortnite’s anti-cheat system, introducing new algorithms and methods to detect and prevent cheating as new cheating software emerges. These updates ensure that the game remains fair and enjoyable for all players.
Respawn Entertainment‘s Apex Legends has become a fan-favorite battle royale title, and the developers have made significant efforts to ensure that cheaters are kept at bay. The game uses Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) as its primary anti-cheat system, which helps identify and block various forms of cheating, including aimbots, wallhacks, and other malicious tools.
Apex Legends also implements strict penalties for cheaters, including permanent bans and the use of AI to identify and remove cheaters during gameplay. The system has proven effective in reducing cheating in the game, but Respawn continues to refine and improve it to address emerging threats.
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege has been another game with a strong emphasis on fair play. Ubisoft’s tactical first-person shooter uses BattlEye, an anti-cheat system that scans player systems for unauthorized software and malicious behavior. In addition to this, the game also uses client-side tools to monitor gameplay for irregularities such as unusual accuracy or movement patterns, which are common signs of cheating.
The game also benefits from Ubisoft’s commitment to regularly updating its anti-cheat measures, ensuring that hackers and cheaters are always kept on their toes.
As one of the most competitive and widely played first-person shooters, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) has always had a battle against cheaters. The game uses VAC (Valve Anti-Cheat), which scans player systems for cheat software and malicious modifications. VAC is a widely recognized anti-cheat system that bans players automatically when cheat software is detected.
Additionally, CS:GO uses a system called Overwatch, which allows experienced players to review suspected cheaters’ gameplay and determine if they should be banned. This community-driven approach, combined with VAC, has made CS:GO one of the most secure competitive shooters.
Blizzard Entertainment’s Overwatch has a stringent anti-cheat system to prevent cheating in its hero-based shooter. The game uses Warden, an anti-cheat system that detects and blocks cheats in real-time. It also uses machine learning to identify abnormal player behavior, ensuring that cheaters are quickly detected and removed.
Overwatch also enforces strict penalties for cheaters, including temporary and permanent bans. The system is continually updated to stay ahead of the evolving cheat landscape, making Overwatch one of the most secure team-based shooters on the market.
Escape from Tarkov is a hardcore survival shooter that has garnered attention for its strict anti-cheat measures. The game uses BattlEye and BattleEye anti-cheat services in combination with other proprietary tools to keep cheaters out. The developers of Escape from Tarkov also conduct regular updates and ban waves to ensure that players using illegal cheats are swiftly removed from the game.
The game’s competitive nature and hardcore mechanics make fair play essential, and its anti-cheat systems work tirelessly to maintain a fair gaming experience.
The fight against cheating in online gaming is an ongoing battle. Developers continue to implement and refine anti-cheat systems in order to maintain fair competition and a positive experience for all players. The games listed above represent the cutting edge of anti-cheat technology, employing a range of advanced methods, from kernel-level monitoring to community-driven review systems.
As gaming continues to grow, so too will the tools used to prevent cheating. It’s a constant race to stay one step ahead of cheaters, and these games are some of the leaders in that fight. If you want to enjoy a fair and competitive gaming experience, these titles offer some of the best protections in the industry.
For more information on anti-cheat systems in gaming, you can visit Wikipedia’s article on Anti-Cheat.