Activision Takes Major Steps to Combat Cheating in Call of Duty: Warzone and Black Ops 6

In a decisive move to address the rampant cheating issues plaguing Call of Duty: Warzone and Black Ops 6, Activision has announced significant updates to its RICOCHET Anti-Cheat system. This comes after widespread complaints from players and content creators regarding the integrity of Ranked Play since its launch in Season 1 Reloaded.

On November 22, Activision acknowledged the cheating problems that have infested the Ranked Play mode. Players reported encountering numerous cheaters in high-stakes matches, prompting frustrations that intensified across social media platforms. Prominent content creators and professional players from the Call of Duty League voiced their concerns, demanding immediate action.

In response to the growing outcry, Team RICOCHET has implemented several crucial updates aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the anti-cheat measures. One of the key improvements involved addressing a data outage that had diminished the performance of AI systems responsible for detecting suspicious activity. The team also adjusted thresholds for Ranked Play to better target potentially fraudulent accounts and expedited the investigation of reported incidents.

The recent update builds upon these initial changes, reinforcing the commitment to provide a fair gaming environment. Activision has admitted that the integration of RICOCHET Anti-Cheat at the launch of Season 1 did not meet expectations, particularly regarding its application in Ranked Play.

Among the notable enhancements is the introduction of a kernel-level anti-cheat driver, along with new server-side protections, set to launch in Seasons 2 and 3. Activision has promised to release more detailed information about these updates as the new seasons approach.

Key Updates from the RICOCHET Anti-Cheat System

• Increased Ban Frequency: The system now issues account bans on an hourly basis, significantly improving the speed at which cheaters are removed from the game. Recently, over 19,000 accounts were banned, showcasing the intensified enforcement efforts.
• Leaderboard Synchronization: The cleanup process for leaderboards has been enhanced for quicker updates, ensuring fair competition among players.
• Expanded Investigations: Activision has significantly increased the capacity of its Replay Investigation render farm, which generates clips for review. The team dedicated to manually reviewing these clips has also been bolstered, prioritizing investigations based on the severity of detections.

The kernel-level driver has been a long-standing request from the player community, as it allows developers to detect suspicious behavior more effectively by identifying malware and hacks directly on players’ machines. This advancement is expected to enhance the overall security of the gaming experience.

As players eagerly anticipate the next updates, Black Ops 6 and Warzone Season 2 are expected to commence on January 28, coinciding with the current Battle Pass timeline. Activision’s proactive measures signal a commitment to restoring trust and fairness in the gaming community.

With these developments, players can look forward to a more competitive and enjoyable gaming experience as Activision continues to refine its anti-cheat strategies in the ongoing battle against cheating in the Call of Duty franchise.