Valorant Updates Anti-Cheat After Major Ban Wave

Summary

• Valorant is cracking down on hackers by implementing ranked rollbacks to reverse progress or rank if a match is affected by cheaters.
• The new measures are designed to penalize cheaters and promote fair play for all Valorant players.
• Players on the same team as hackers will keep their rank rating to avoid any unfair losses.

Valorant is taking robust action against the recent surge of hackers by introducing ranked rollbacks, a feature designed to counteract the negative impact of cheating on the game's competitive integrity. Riot Games' head of anti-cheat, Phillip Koskinas, has publicly addressed the issue, emphasizing that Riot can now enforce stricter penalties. He detailed the new measures that aim to restore fairness in the game.

Cheating remains a persistent challenge in online gaming, with many players seeking unfair advantages. Despite Valorant's acclaimed anti-cheat system, a noticeable increase in hacking incidents has prompted Riot Games to intensify their efforts. The introduction of ranked rollbacks means that if a match is compromised by cheating, the affected players' ranks or progress will be reset.

Koskinas took to social media to share insights into Riot's strategy, including a chart illustrating the number of cheaters banned by the Vanguard system in January, with a peak on January 13. This data underscores Riot's commitment to tackling the issue head-on.

Riot Games' Future Valorant Bans Will Include Ranked Rollbacks

Addressing concerns about the fairness of matches involving cheaters, Koskinas clarified that players on the same team as a hacker will retain their rank rating, while the opposing team will have theirs restored. This approach, though potentially inflationary, is deemed necessary by Riot to maintain a level playing field.

Valorant's Vanguard system, renowned for its kernel-level security, has set a high standard in the industry, inspiring similar measures in games like Call of Duty. Despite ongoing efforts to eradicate cheating, the problem persists, highlighting the need for continuous innovation in anti-cheat technology.

The community remains hopeful, buoyed by Riot Games' track record of banning thousands of cheaters. The effectiveness of the new ranked rollback strategy in curbing the latest wave of hackers is yet to be fully realized, but Riot's dedication to fair play is clear.