Anticheat

AntiCheat refers to software and practices designed to detect and prevent cheating in multiplayer video games. Cheating includes unauthorized modifications to game code, external tools that automate actions, and exploits that give unfair advantages. AntiCheat systems aim to maintain fair play, protect competitive integrity, and reduce revenue losses from cheaters.

Most anti-cheat solutions combine client-side detection, server-side verification, and data analysis. Techniques include memory scanning, code integrity checks, input and behavior monitoring, anti-tamper measures, and kernel-level drivers in some implementations. Some systems rely on machine learning to identify anomalous player behavior. Telemetry data is used to enforce bans, with different penalty schemes from temporary suspensions to permanent bans.

Notable systems include Valve Anti-Cheat (VAC) for Steam, Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC), BattleEye, PunkBuster, and Riot's Vanguard, among others. These tools are typically integrated into the game's launcher or in-game client and may require elevated permissions or drivers. They commonly perform periodic checks and may update to address new cheating methods.

Deployment raises considerations about privacy, security, and performance. Kernel-mode components, in particular, have sparked privacy and security concerns from players and regulators. Legitimate players can be affected by false positives, compatibility issues, or performance degradation. Developers continually update anti-cheat to respond to new cheats, and cheaters may attempt to bypass by reverse engineering or software evasion.

Effectiveness varies by title and community; while anti-cheat can deter and reduce cheating, no system guarantees complete prevention. The balance between strong enforcement and user rights, transparency, and cross-platform support remains a topic of ongoing discussion in gaming communities.