How Riot Games is tackling the challenge posed by video game hackers

Riot Games tackles video game cheats with the powerful Vanguard system.

: Riot Games is actively combating video game hackers who exploit vulnerabilities for unfair advantages, leveraging its Vanguard kernel-level anti-cheat system. This strategy allows Riot to ban thousands of cheaters daily in games like 'Valorant,' decreasing cheater presence to under 1% globally. The company targets cheat developers by infiltrating their communities and discrediting their work publicly, utilizing psychological tactics to undermine cheat distribution. Riot promises transparency, explaining its invasive anti-cheat methods to reassure players about their approach.

Riot Games has been employing advanced strategies to combat the cheating epidemic in online gaming. With the rise of online competitive gaming, cheating has evolved from a hobby to an organized industry selling unfair advantages. Cheaters exploit game vulnerabilities, selling these to players seeking an upper hand for a high price. Riot, recognizing the scope of this problem, has dedicated resources to developing strong anti-cheat systems.

The centerpiece of Riot's strategy is the powerful Vanguard anti-cheat system, which operates at the kernel level of computer operating systems. This means it has the ability to monitor all aspects of a computer's operations, a feature that has raised both praise and privacy concerns. Despite this, Riot continues to stand by its approach, citing the necessity to effectively detect and combat cheaters. Phillip Koskinas, the director and head of anti-cheat at Riot, affirms that there are no plans to move away from the kernel-level approach as it ensures thorough monitoring and intervention.

Vanguard's methodology makes it difficult for cheats to function unnoticed by effectively 'forcing cheats to be visible.' It incorporates several Windows security features such as Trusted Platform Module and Secure Boot, checking for any unauthorized modifications and ensuring all hardware drivers are current. If cheats are detected, they are swiftly neutralized, contributing to the daily banning of thousands of cheaters from games like 'Valorant.' Riot reports a decrease in cheater presence in competitive games to below 1% as of 2025.

To tackle cheat developers, Riot's anti-cheat team uses a combination of technology and psychological warfare. The team infiltrates cheat communities by adopting anonymous identities, gaining trust, and gathering information on newly developed cheats. Sometimes they even disseminate credible anti-cheat information to build trust. Once the cheat gains users, Riot bans these players to publicly discredit the cheat and damage the developer's reputation.

Koskinas explains that fighting cheaters means understanding them; they often engage in 'rage cheating' using detectable tools for temporary empowerment. These cheaters are generally young and unaware of the ethical considerations of gaming. As for premium cheats using external hardware, such as DMA attacks, Riot admits they continue to evolve. However, Koskinas believes they detect most external cheats but acknowledges the ongoing battle to adapt to new innovations in cheating methods.

Despite the challenges, Riot Games remains steadfast in its commitment to ensure fair play and maintain the integrity of its games. It is evident that the company continues to invest in anti-cheat technology, merging technical prowess with strategic psychological elements to fight one of gaming's most persistent problems. Understanding the nuances and complexities involved in the continuous battle against cheats allows players to appreciate Riot's significant efforts.

Sources: TechCrunch, The Verge, Wired

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