Valorant vs. Call of Duty Anti Cheat

Valorant Developer Slams Call of Duty for Its Cheating Problem

Competitive gaming has long struggled with cheating, and the Call of Duty series is no different. Despite introducing Ricochet, its custom anti-cheat software, the franchise continues to face significant challenges in curbing cheaters. A Riot Games analyst, specializing in Vanguard—the anti-cheat system powering Valorant—recently offered valuable insights into improving Call of Duty’s defenses, shortly after announcing a program which offers players $100K for finding security flaws in Vanguard. With Valorant widely regarded as having one of the most robust anti-cheat solutions in the industry, these observations may hold the key to boosting the integrity of Call of Duty’s competitive modes.

Cheaters Ruin Call of Duty's Competitive Play

Call of Duty’s Ranked Play mode, especially in titles like Black Ops 6, exemplifies the struggle. Ranked Play offers players the chance to climb the ranks, proving their skills while earning exclusive rewards. However, rampant cheating has undermined the excitement of competition. Aimbots, wallhacks, and other exploits have become disturbingly common, eroding the mode’s competitive integrity. Despite the introduction of Ricochet, cheaters continue to find ways to bypass its defenses, leaving legitimate players frustrated and disheartened.

Vanguard vs. Ricochet Anti-Cheat

People often highlight Valorant's Vanguard system as an excellent example of anti-cheat technology. Unlike Ricochet, which relies heavily on AI-driven detection methods like data heuristics and aim models, Vanguard takes a more direct approach. The Riot analyst criticized over-reliance on artificial intelligence, noting that while it has its benefits, it “does not fully address the core problem.” Instead, they suggested that Ricochet could improve by leveraging its existing kernel-level driver more effectively. This driver, already capable of detecting locally running cheats, could be enhanced without requiring additional software layers at startup.

This approach, according to the analyst, addresses the issue at its root by focusing on the cheats themselves rather than relying solely on predictive models. With Riot’s track record of boosting Valorant’s defense against cheaters, these recommendations could serve as a blueprint for improving Ricochet.

Crossplay Leads to More Cheating in CoD

Crossplay, a feature that unites players across platforms, is another major point of concern. While crossplay fosters inclusivity, it has also introduced vulnerabilities, especially for console gamers. The Riot analyst pointed out that console players often find themselves in “an unsafe competitive environment” when paired with PC players. PC platforms are generally more susceptible to cheating due to their openness, creating an imbalance in crossplay matches.

The expert proposed that Activision adopt stricter Windows security measures to boost their Anti-Cheat system’s effectiveness, similar to those implemented on Xbox and PlayStation, to level the playing field. By enforcing these features, Call of Duty could reduce the disparity between platforms, ensuring a fairer experience for all players. While cheating can never be entirely eradicated, the analyst emphasized the importance of bringing it down to manageable levels that don’t disrupt the competitive spirit.

Vanguard Is Still the Best Anti-Cheat System

A recent study ranked Valorant as the top game for effective anti-cheat measures, especially if you're working to increase your rank in Valorant, which has the safest competitive environment in multiplayer gaming today. This success stems from Vanguard’s proactive approach, blending kernel-level monitoring with strong player-first policies. By comparison, Call of Duty’s struggles with Ricochet highlight the gaps in its current strategy.

Activision has shown a willingness to address these issues, with Treyarch announcing ongoing updates aimed at tackling cheating in Black Ops 6’s Ranked Play. However, catching up to Valorant’s level of anti-cheat effectiveness will require bold changes and innovative solutions.

A Cheating-Free Future

Cheating remains a persistent challenge in online gaming, particularly in competitive environments like those found in Call of Duty and League of Legends. While no system can guarantee complete eradication of cheaters, prioritizing robust defenses and focusing on player experience are essential steps. Valorant’s success with Vanguard demonstrates that effective solutions are possible when developers commit to targeting the problem at its core.

For Call of Duty, adopting lessons from Valorant’s anti-cheat system and addressing vulnerabilities in crossplay could transform the competitive landscape, offering players a more enjoyable and fair experience. As gaming communities grow and evolve, so too must the strategies employed to protect them. By boosting its efforts and embracing new techniques, Call of Duty has the potential to re-establish itself as a leader in competitive gaming.

 

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