Call of Duty Intensifies Anti-Cheat Measures Before Season 2 and Ranked Play Launch, Promising New Tech and Bans on Unauthorized Devices: “Cheating Comes at a Higher Price”

Activision is intensifying its ongoing fight against cheaters in Call of Duty with robust new anti-cheat initiatives just in time for the launch of Black Ops 7 and Warzone season 2 later this week.

In a recent update, Activision reassures players that it is committed to ensuring a fair experience in Black Ops 7 and Warzone ranked play right from the start, aiming to eliminate cheaters before matches even kick off.

“Season 02 is almost here, and our top priority is clear: launching Ranked Play with the strongest protections possible, so matches are decided by player skill, not exploits,” the update states.

To achieve this, the focus is on ensuring that players in these matches are using trusted and secure systems on both console and PC. This involves significant investments in advanced technology for anti-cheat systems and security measures.

Specifically, Activision is introducing “a new suite” of detection capabilities to its kernel-level Ricochet anti-cheat system, which will help identify third-party devices like Cronus Zen and XIM Matrix that can provide players with unfair advantages, as well as the accounts that utilize them.

Additionally, Ricochet is setting “a new industry standard in security” with a more robust form of remote, cloud-based attestation operating on Microsoft Azure. This enhanced security layer will authenticate accounts and filter out cheaters before matches begin, with most players not needing to adjust any settings for it to function.

“It’s the most robust attestation technology available in gaming, and bringing it first to Ranked Play helps ensure competitive matches are won on merit,” Activision claims. “These added protections help stop cheating before a match even begins, so games feel fair from the start.”

However, as seen during the Black Ops 7 beta in October, the introduction of new anti-cheat measures often prompts cheaters to seek ways around them, creating a continuous back-and-forth between developers and those trying to exploit the system. The stakes are higher in ranked play, making these additional measures crucial before the mode goes live.

“We know what an unfair match looks like: losing a close gunfight to aim that never seems to miss, recoil that never kicks, or reactions that don’t feel human,” the update explains. “In Ranked Play, cheating can cost more than just a win. It affects Skill Rating (SR), momentum in your session, and confidence in the mode.”