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 system 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 those unintentionally affected.
The recent surge in cheating activity prompted Riot Games to take stronger action. Phillip Koskinas, Riot's head of anti-cheat, publicly acknowledged the problem and emphasized Riot's enhanced ability to combat cheating, highlighting the implementation of ranked rollbacks as a key component of this strategy. He shared data illustrating the significant number of cheaters banned by Valorant's Vanguard anti-cheat system in January alone, demonstrating the ongoing efforts to address the issue.
Addressing concerns about players winning matches with cheaters on their team, Koskinas clarified that such players will not have their ranks adjusted. Only those on the opposing team, unfairly disadvantaged by the cheater, will see their rank restored. While acknowledging potential inflationary effects, Riot believes this approach is the best path forward.
Valorant's Vanguard system, utilizing kernel-level access for enhanced detection, has proven highly effective, serving as a model for other games like Call of Duty. Despite past successes in combating cheating, the persistent nature of the problem necessitates ongoing adaptation and stricter measures. The implementation of ranked rollbacks represents a significant step in this ongoing battle, though its long-term effectiveness remains to be seen. Thousands of previous bans demonstrate Riot's commitment to maintaining a fair and enjoyable competitive experience in Valorant.
