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Dataminers uncover strict Counter-Strike 2 anti-cheat measures

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Josh Broadwell

Dataminers uncover strict Counter-Strike 2 anti-cheat measures
Dataminers uncover strict Counter-Strike 2 anti-cheat measures /

It looks like Valve is taking a no-nonsense approach to Counter-Strike 2 anti-cheat. Dataminers delving into files from the first-person shooter game’s first test found a line that suggests the game will instantly terminate a match if it detects a player who’s cheating (thanks, PC Gamer).

Twitter user AquaIsMissing posted the line of code, which says “Cheater detected” and leads to the next line: “This match has been canceled by VAC Live.”

VAC Live seems to be a new program Valve uses in Counter-Strike 2, presumably to aid with anti-cheat measures.

Cheating is a persistent issue in pretty much any competitive game, whether it’s Destiny 2, Valorant, Overwatch 2 – you name it, people make and use cheats for it. How developers deal with it tends to vary, though. Blizzard bans some cheaters, but relies on players to report suspected ne’er-do-wells and make you endure the cheater’s illicitly-acquired skills for the match’s duration. Riot, however, uses a system similar to what it looks like Valve will implement, one that cancels matches as soon as it detects a cheater.

So if you plan on doing a naughty in Counter-Strike 2, just know that Valve is always watching.

Counter-Strike 2 is set for release sometime during summer 2023 as a free update for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

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Josh Broadwell
JOSH BROADWELL

Josh is a freelance writer and reporter who specializes in guides, reviews, and whatever else he can convince someone to commission. You may have seen him on NPR, IGN, Polygon, or Rolling Stone shouting about RPGs. When he isn’t working, you’ll likely find him outside with his Belgian Malinois and Australian Shepherd or leveling yet another job in FFXIV.

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