The company behind Steam, Valve, operates one of the world’s most successful MOBAs, DOTA 2. On February 21, Valve announces: They have struck a blow against cheaters. With a trap, a “Honeypot,” they were able to clearly identify and ban fraudsters. More than 40,000 accounts have been affected.
What kind of cheat was it?
- Valve doesn’t say exactly, they speak of players cheating in DOTA using third-party software (via dota2.com).
- The program read internal data from the client that is not visible to players.
- Through the cheat, cheaters had an unfair advantage. Fans speculate on reddit about what kind of cheat it was – a type of “map hack” or whether players were able to read data about opponents, learn their favorite champs, something like that it probably was.
Valve introduces a section in DOTA 2 that only cheaters can see
This is what Valve has done: Valve says they analyzed the exact cheat method and then inserted a honeypot in a patch:
A data area in the game client that is never accessed during normal gameplay, but which this exploit would access.
All accounts today that were banned have accessed this secret area of the client and fell into our trap. Therefore, we consider their ban appropriate.
According to Valve, over 40,000 accounts have been permanently banned.
Valve emphasizes: DOTA is most fun when it is fair and a victory is achieved through skill and perseverance. They will continue to identify and eliminate exploits – cheaters will be banned. This also applies to professional players, who will be excluded from all competitions at Valve.
Fans are thrilled, love a good trap
What is the fans’ reaction? It is overwhelmingly positive:
- One says he has a “justice boner”.
- Others say they are looking forward to the first ones who complain that they have been banned, to laugh at them mockingly.
- Especially which professional player got caught, is awaited with excitement.
Especially the trick of setting a trap for cheaters is appreciated by DOTA players. Every MOBA player enjoys a good trap and the subsequent gank from the bushes.
DOTA 2 is firmly rooted in the DNA of Steam and Valve:
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