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 a player's rank or progress if their match was compromised by hackers. The goal is to deter cheating and ensure fair gameplay for all Valorant players. Importantly, players who were on the same team as a cheater will retain their rank rating, preventing unfair penalties for innocent players.
The recent surge in cheating activity prompted Riot Games to implement this stricter approach. Phillip Koskinas, Riot's head of anti-cheat, publicly acknowledged the problem and outlined the new strategy on Twitter, highlighting the significant number of bans already issued by the Vanguard system in January. He also emphasized Riot's enhanced ability to combat cheating, stating they can now "hit so much harder."
This ranked rollback system addresses concerns raised by players about the impact of cheaters on both opposing and allied teams. While a player winning a match with a cheater on their team might seem unfair, Koskinas confirmed that only the opposing team will have their rank rating restored. Although this approach may temporarily inflate rankings, Riot believes it's a necessary step to address the issue.
Valorant's Vanguard anti-cheat system, known for its kernel-level access and effectiveness, has already banned thousands of players. Its success has even inspired other games, such as Call of Duty, to adopt similar strategies. However, the persistent challenge of eliminating cheating remains, necessitating ongoing efforts by developers.
Riot's commitment to tackling this problem is evident in their proactive measures. The effectiveness of the new ranked rollback system remains to be seen, but it represents a significant step in Valorant's ongoing battle against cheaters and its dedication to maintaining a fair and enjoyable gaming experience for all.