Valorant Making Anti-Cheat Changes Following Major Ban Wave

Valorant's New Anti-Cheat Measures: Ranked Rollbacks to Combat Cheaters

Valorant is escalating its fight against cheaters with a significant new weapon: ranked rollbacks. This means that if a ranked match is compromised by cheating, affected players' ranks will be adjusted to undo the unfair advantage or disadvantage gained.

This proactive approach aims to deter cheating and ensure fair gameplay for all Valorant players. The system is designed to punish cheaters while protecting players unfairly impacted by their actions. Crucially, players who were on the same team as a cheater will retain their rank rating, preventing them from suffering undeserved losses.

The recent surge in cheating activity prompted Riot Games to announce these changes. Phillip Koskinas, Riot's head of anti-cheat, confirmed the initiative on Twitter, highlighting Riot's enhanced capabilities to combat cheating and the specifics of the rollback system. He also shared data demonstrating the significant number of cheaters banned by Valorant's Vanguard anti-cheat system in January alone, emphasizing the ongoing effort to maintain a clean gaming environment.

Ranked Rollbacks: Protecting Players, Punishing Cheaters

Addressing concerns about players winning matches with cheaters on their team, Koskinas clarified that while the opposing team will have their rank rating restored, players who teamed with cheaters will keep their current rating. While acknowledging potential inflationary effects, Riot believes this approach is the most equitable solution.

Valorant's Vanguard system, renowned for its kernel-level access and effectiveness, continues to be a key component in this fight. Its success has even inspired other games, such as Call of Duty, to adopt similar anti-cheat strategies. Despite past successes in banning thousands of cheaters, the persistent nature of cheating necessitates ongoing adaptation and stricter measures.

The effectiveness of the new ranked rollback system remains to be seen, but Riot Games' commitment to eradicating cheating in Valorant is clear. This latest initiative demonstrates a proactive and player-focused approach to maintaining a fair and enjoyable competitive experience.