Valorant's Anti-Cheat Measures: Ranked Rollbacks to Combat Cheaters
Valorant is escalating its fight against cheaters with a new anti-cheat strategy: ranked rollbacks. This means players who lose ranked matches due to cheating will have their rank adjusted to reflect a fairer outcome. This measure aims to deter cheating and ensure a more equitable competitive environment for all players.
The recent surge in cheating activity prompted Riot Games to announce this significant change. Phillip Koskinas, Riot's head of anti-cheat, confirmed the implementation of ranked rollbacks, emphasizing Riot's strengthened ability to combat cheating. He highlighted the substantial number of cheaters banned by Valorant's Vanguard anti-cheat system in January, illustrating the ongoing battle against unfair play.
A key aspect of the new system addresses the impact on players who inadvertently team up with cheaters. Koskinas clarified that players on the same team as a hacker will retain their current rank rating, preventing unjust penalties for those who are victims of cheating. While acknowledging potential inflationary effects, Riot is confident this approach will effectively counter the negative impact of cheaters.
Valorant's Vanguard system, renowned for its kernel-level security, has proven effective in detecting and banning cheaters. Its success has even inspired similar anti-cheat implementations in other popular games. Despite past successes in reducing cheating, the persistent nature of this problem necessitates ongoing adaptation and stronger measures.
While the long-term effectiveness of ranked rollbacks remains to be seen, this proactive measure demonstrates Riot Games' unwavering commitment to maintaining a fair and enjoyable competitive experience in Valorant. The thousands of previously banned players offer a glimmer of hope that this latest strategy will significantly curb the recent increase in cheating activity.