Valorant Making Anti-Cheat Changes Following Major Ban Wave

Valorant's New Anti-Cheat Measures: Ranked Rollbacks to Combat Cheaters

Valorant is escalating its fight against cheaters with the introduction of ranked rollbacks. This new anti-cheat measure will reverse the rank or progress of players whose matches were compromised by hackers. The goal is to deter cheating and ensure fair gameplay for all Valorant players. Importantly, players who were unfortunately teamed with cheaters will retain their rank rating, preventing unfair penalties for legitimate players.

The recent surge in hacking activity prompted Riot Games to take stronger action. Phillip Koskinas, Riot's head of anti-cheat, publicly acknowledged the problem and outlined the new rollback system. He emphasized Riot's enhanced ability to combat cheating, highlighting the significant number of bans issued through the Vanguard anti-cheat system in January alone (with a peak on January 13th). This demonstrates Riot's commitment to maintaining a fair competitive environment.

Ranked Rollbacks: How They Work

The rollback system addresses concerns raised by players regarding matches won with cheaters on their team. Koskinas clarified that while players on the same team as a hacker will keep their rank, the opposing team will have their rank adjusted to compensate for the unfair match outcome. Although this approach might temporarily inflate the overall rank distribution, Riot believes it's a necessary step to combat cheating effectively.

Vanguard's Continued Effectiveness and Industry Impact

Valorant's Vanguard anti-cheat system, utilizing kernel-level access, has proven highly effective in identifying and banning cheaters. Its success has even influenced other game developers, with titles like Call of Duty adopting similar approaches. Despite past successes in curbing cheating, the persistent nature of hackers requires ongoing adaptation and stronger countermeasures.

Thousands of players have already been banned, offering hope to those frustrated by ongoing cheating issues. While the long-term effectiveness of ranked rollbacks remains to be seen, Riot Games' proactive stance and commitment to fair play are undeniable.