Since 2014, Counter-Strike: World Offensive gamers have had one grievance: cheaters. As a substitute of upgrading the FPS sport‘s anti-cheat software program, VAC or delivering a one-time resolution, Valve has deployed a collection of annual ban waves. The paywall replace in 2021 did little to assist resolve the issue; CSGO hackers, it turned out, had been fairly loaded – lots of them might merely purchase their approach again in. Now, with the Counter-Strike 2 launch date approaching, there’s hope of a brand new and extra strong anti-cheat resolution. The CS2 trailers nonetheless appear to have doused these hopes in chilly water.
Apart from a leak right here and hearsay there, nothing substantial has been revealed concerning a brand new Counter-Strike 2 anti-cheat. That mentioned, there’s excessive likelihood Counter-Strike 2 could have the identical previous VAC, so it’s not too late to decrease your expectations and follow third-party platforms.
Counter-Strike 2 with no new anti-cheat means nothing
Counter-Strike 2 is meant to be game-changing, however because the restricted beta check rolls on, gamers are already reporting cheaters. It appears CSGO’s decade-old challenge has returned in Valve’s shiny new shooter.
Each multiplayer sport has malicious actors, however hacking and dishonest in CSGO appear particularly prevalent. In 2021, Valve banned 304,655 cheaters in three months, illustrating how the shortage of an lively – or slightly, proactive – watchdog can permit the issue to swell and unfold. Valve doesn’t actively pluck out the hackers, that means they get to wreak havoc till the arrival of a brand new ban wave.
Apart from tick price, the poor efficiency of VAC has been the most important catalyst in pushing gamers to third-party platforms like FACEIT. Now, Counter-Strike 2 has been launched with three main modifications concerning maps, smoke grenades, and the dreaded tick price, however with reference to anti-cheat, the one hope we’ve is a few minor print on the backside of Valve’s announcement.
“The Restricted Check solely evaluates a subset of Counter-Strike 2’s options in order that main points may be resolved earlier than the summer time. However there’s far more to return. In just some months we’ll reveal all the particulars of Counter-Strike 2,” Valve says.
If Valve had any plans for a significant overhaul to its anti-cheat system, it in all probability would have been introduced by now. It’s beginning to really feel like Counter-Strike 2 might use the identical, or not less than a really related type of VAC that we’ve encountered already in CSGO. If that’s the case, will probably be an actual disappointment for followers trying ahead to video games on the Valve official servers.
Counter-Strike 2 is providing higher visuals, responsive smokes, and even seen legs! However, with no new and improved anti-cheat, the shooter might grow to be an actual check of persistence. As a lot as we wish to get pleasure from all of the shiny new options, the reality is that nothing else actually issues if you happen to can’t play honest. As at all times, severe gamers will flip to FACEIT and ESEA for wholesome competitors. As for matchmaking, effectively, it would simply grow to be a breeding floor for trolls who create humorous YouTube content material.
Will Counter-Strike 2 have any new anti-cheat options?
Thus far, knowledge miners have been capable of finding clues within the CS2 restricted check spaghetti code that counsel tweaks to VAC, however nothing like an overhaul. A brand new characteristic referred to as VAC Dwell may fit to detect third-party software program in real-time, immediately cancelling matches if a cheater is detected, just like Riot’s Vanguard system in Valorant. That appears like one thing, however the challenge with VAC Dwell is that it’s nonetheless, basically, VAC. If Dwell detects cheaters utilizing the identical strategies as ever, don’t anticipate lots of cancelled matches in CS2 – the hackers will nonetheless be getting away with it.
If, nonetheless, Valve makes VAC Dwell extra invasive, with higher entry to gamers’ CS2 data, there’s a sliver of hope for MM beasts. Whereas an invasive anti-cheat will elevate issues about privateness, personally I’d sacrifice somewhat extra participant knowledge if it meant ridding my sport of cheaters. Most severe CSGO gamers gravitate in the direction of FACEIT anyway – an identical program for official matchmaking could be welcomed with open arms.
Whereas it’s unlikely Valve will announce any extra main modifications, it by no means hurts to stay optimistic and hold these fingers crossed for an anti-cheat improve. Within the meantime, get ready with all of the Counter-Strike 2 maps confirmed to this point, a few of that are being completely rebuilt utilizing Supply 2.
