Call of Duty is one of the most popular first-person shooter games ever created, hosts daily battles between millions of players. Cheaters have plagued the game, using third-party hardware to gain an unfair advantage over other players. In response, Activision has updated its Ricochet anti-cheat system to detect and eventually ban players who use devices like XIM, Cronus Zen, and ReaSnow S1 to cheat in Call of Duty: Warzone and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II.
The Problem with XIM Cheating in Call of Duty
Devices such as XIM, Cronus Zen, and ReaSnow S1 are designed to provide mouse and keyboard users with the benefits of aim assist and reduced recoil from controllers, as well as the benefits of movement from a mouse and keyboard. However, these devices can be used maliciously to gain an unfair gameplay advantage by reducing or eliminating recoil, making it easier for cheaters to get kills and win matches.
Call of Duty Warzone’s Biggest Cheater
Activision's Updated Ricochet Anti-Cheat System
To face this problem, Activision has updated its Ricochet anti-cheat system to detect and eventually ban players who use these devices. "These devices act as a passthrough for controllers on PC and console and, when used improperly or maliciously, can provide a player with the ability to gain an unfair gameplay advantage, such as reducing or eliminating recoil," the Ricochet team claims." Players who are using this hardware will first see a warning from the system, but continued misuse of it could result in more warnings, the application of mitigations, the suspension of features or accounts, or the banning of the offending account across all Call of Duty games, according to our Security and Enforcement Policy.
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| Image: Activision |
Call of Duty is not the only game suffering from XIM cheating. Other popular games like Destiny 2 and Overwatch are also being affected by this problem. Developers are investigating the issue, but there is no perfect solution to combat these devices. Epic Games, Ubisoft, and Activision are now in an ongoing cat-and-mouse game with the developers of this third-party hardware.
Cheating in video games is a serious problem. That can ruin the experience for other players. Activision's crackdown on XIM cheaters in Call of Duty is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address this issue across the gaming industry. Developers need to work together to find a solution, how they can detect and prevent the use of these devices to ensure a fair and enjoyable gameplay experience for everyone.