Valve has updated the Steam developer portal with a new edit section dedicated to anti-cheat software. Going forward, it will require developers to disclose whether their game uses anti-cheat technology like PunkBuster and force them to do so if they use client-side, kernel-mode anti-cheat.
The change in stance on kernel-mode anti-cheat follows years of back and forth between gamers and developers over anti-cheat software that can interfere with consumer hardware. Why kernel-level access is highly privilegedaccessing it means that players place a lot of trust in the developers and risk far-reaching consequences if a nasty bug in the anti-cheat software could destroy an entire PC.
But developers using kernel-mode anti-cheat have rightfully held firm, as kernel-mode controls on some games are necessary to prevent devastating cheats that could demolish a multiplayer ecosystem. The back and forth is frustrating for everyone involved.
Valve wants developers to be transparent with players about anti-cheat tools
According to Valve, the kernel mode anti-cheat disclosure requirement is retroactive and applies to games already listed on Steam. The company said it is targeting developers with games that use this technology. It will also be part of future release reviews.
Developers who already disclose anti-cheat technology on their store pages will still need to update this new section.
Image via Valve.
For those using conventional anti-cheat tools, Valve says it will not enforce the sharing of such information but that it “generally thinks[s] that any game that makes use of anti-cheat technology would benefit from letting players know.
How high are the stakes in the fight against cheaters? So tall Destiny 2 AND Marathon developer Bungie won millions in court suing fraudulent software developers and even smaller developers like Divided door 2 developer 1047 Games they are taking over companies with anti-cheat technology to keep their games safe.