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 progression of players whose matches were compromised by hackers. The goal is to deter cheating and ensure fair gameplay for all Valorant players.
The recent surge in cheating activity prompted Riot Games to implement this stricter approach. While Valorant boasts a robust anti-cheat system (Vanguard), a recent increase in hackers necessitated more decisive action. Phillip Koskinas, Riot's head of anti-cheat, confirmed the problem and outlined the new strategy on Twitter, highlighting the significant number of bans already issued in January. He also emphasized Riot's enhanced ability to combat cheating.
This new system addresses a key concern: players unfairly impacted by teaming with cheaters. Koskinas clarified that players on the same team as a hacker will retain their rank rating, preventing unjust penalties. Conversely, opposing teams affected by cheating will have their rank adjusted to compensate for the unfair loss. While acknowledging potential inflationary effects, Riot believes this strategy is the best course of action.
Valorant's Vanguard system, utilizing kernel-level access, remains a highly effective tool in detecting and banning cheaters. Its success has even inspired similar anti-cheat implementations in other games. Despite past successes in combating cheating, the persistent nature of this problem necessitates ongoing adaptation and stronger countermeasures. The effectiveness of the ranked rollback system remains to be seen, but it represents a significant step in Riot's commitment to maintaining a fair and enjoyable gaming environment. Thousands of previous bans offer a degree of optimism for players frustrated by cheaters in ranked matches.
