The multiplayer beta for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, which kicked off on October 2nd, experienced some disruptions due to cheating. It’s almost inevitable in popular online games, and given the vast scale of Call of Duty, determined individuals were bound to find ways to exploit the system.
However, Activision has released data regarding their efforts to combat cheating during the beta phase. Notably, they report that 97% of those attempting to cheat were blocked within the first 30 minutes of their initial login during the early access period. Furthermore, less than 1% of potential cheaters actually succeeded in entering a match. Those who did were quickly removed, “within minutes,” according to the developers.
Size:
Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?
Now Playing: Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 | Multiplayer Gameplay Reveal Trailer
According to Ricochet, Activision’s anti-cheat team, “Cheaters were anticipated. Our upgraded defenses, however, detected them faster, thanks to enhanced TPM 2.0 verifications and automated mechanisms designed to significantly reduce attempts at gaining an unfair advantage. Most never even got into a match”.
While some players might have encountered videos online showcasing cheating in the Black Ops 7 beta, which may have led to the impression of a widespread problem, Activision clarified that “We had already taken action against the majority of those accounts prior to their appearance on social media.”
The developer assures players that “We’re actively monitoring the situation, responding in real time, and learning from each attempted exploit. This is just the beginning. Upon release, every layer of defense will be fully activated, and Ricochet anti-cheat’s capabilities will continue to improve”.
Activision also highlighted their broader anti-cheat efforts, including disrupting cheat providers and shutting down their operations. “Since the launch of Black Ops 6, we have directly contributed to the shutdown of more than 40 cheat developers and resellers. Vendors sharing clips during beta were already being monitored, and we will continue to pursue them beyond in-game enforcement,” Activision stated.
In their announcement, Activision acknowledged that the TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot requirements implemented for the Black Ops 7 beta might be perceived as “disruptive,” but emphasized that they are essential to “ensure a secure and fair gaming experience for all players. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we strengthen our PC protections.”
Following the early access phase, the Black Ops 7 beta is now accessible to all players. In addition, answering player requests, Activision introduced a playlist without Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM).
Explore these related articles for further information:
