Summary

  • Activision is addressing cheating in Call of Duty after banning 6,000 malicious players.
  • Cheating has long been a problem in Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone, affecting the player experience.
  • Despite efforts to combat cheating, the RICOCHET Anti-Cheat system may still struggle to stop persistent cheaters.

Activision has announced new security updates coming to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Call of Duty: Warzone after banning more than 6,000 cheaters across both games earlier this month. Cheating in Call of Duty has already been bad before this, but a recent incident this February resulted in a massive surge of malicious players trying to exploit the game.

Like many other games in the multiplayer franchise, as well as other FPS titles in gaming history, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone have a long history of players going to great lengths to cheat to win. Less-skilled players would rather use exploits and cheating software to get an advantage over more competitive gamers, a phenomenon that always ends up ruining the experience for many people. For its part, Activision has tried over the years to implement anti-cheating measures, but enterprising cheaters have always found ways to get through.

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How Activision Will Address Cheating In Call of Duty

In an official update released on February 21, Activision admitted that the team manning the RICOCHET Anti-Cheat system had received over 6,000 reports of cheating incidents from February 16 to 20. This was because someone had mistakenly claimed that RICOCHET was offline, spurring cheaters to attempt using exploits. As a result, the developer not only tracked and banned these thousands of players, but it's also now testing new security updates. So far, the team's only concrete update was to disable game code for limited-time perks, but it's also said players should expect more announcements on the way.

Despite these measures, cheating and hacking in Call of Duty: Warzone remains a serious problem, as many creative players are just able to find different advantages over their opponents. For every exploit the system can squash, more seem to sprout and get past the protections, and the 6,000 players may not even be the end of it. These incidents may be an unfortunate reflection of how the current RICOCHET system may not be enough to defeat persistent cheaters.

At this point, Activision had already tried different ways to dissuade and discourage Call of Duty cheaters. It's unclear if anything can be done to completely stop cheating in online games like this.

Meanwhile, Modern Warfare 3 developer Sledgehammer Games remains hard at work at improving the experience. The latest Modern Warfare 3 update, aside from addressing the cheating incidents, made several tweaks to weapons and gameplay while also making stability fixes.

  • Rating block community and brand ratings Image
    Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023) Tag Page Cover Art
    Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare III
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    6 /10
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    Released
    November 10, 2023
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    WHERE TO PLAY

    SUBSCRIPTION
    DIGITAL
    PHYSICAL
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    The war has changed. Call of Duty returns with an all-new campaign, modernized versions of classic Multiplayer maps and an open-world PvE Zombies experience. The campaign, a direct sequel to the record-breaking Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, sees Captain Price and Task Force 141 face off against ultranationalist war criminal Vladimir Makarov as he extends his grasp across the world.  In Multiplayer, the 16 maps that launched with Modern Warfare 2 in 2009 return with upgraded graphics, new modes and innovative gameplay features. In Modern Warfare Zombies, team up with other squads for the first time ever as you work together to survive in the largest Zombies map yet

    ESRB
    M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
    Developer(s)
    Sledgehammer Games
    Publisher(s)
    Activision
    Genre(s)
    First-Person Shooter
    Platforms That Support Crossplay
    PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
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    call of duty warzone
    Call of Duty: Warzone
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    9 /10
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    Released
    March 10, 2020
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    WHERE TO PLAY

    SUBSCRIPTION
    DIGITAL
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    Welcome to Call of Duty®: Warzone™, the massive free-to-play combat arena which now features Urzikstan, Rebirth Island and Fortune’s Keep.
    Turn the Heat Up
    Prepare to take the battle to a new metropolis in the all-new Urzikstan map, the new big Battle Royale map. Jump in to celebrate the epic return of Rebirth Island and Fortune’s Keep, two Resurgence maps that are sure to excite veterans and newcomers alike.
    Loot For Rewards
    Discover supply boxes and complete contracts to build your arsenal and gain a tactical advantage.

    A Game Pass Core subscription is not required to play Call of Duty®: Warzone™. All other online modes still require Game Pass Core.

    A mobile phone number may be required to be linked to your Activision account to play Call of Duty®: Warzone™.

    ESRB
    M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs, Violence
    Publisher(s)
    Activision
    Franchise
    Call of Duty
    Genre(s)
    First-Person Shooter, Battle Royale
    Platforms That Support Crossplay
    PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S