In Call of Duty: Warzone starts with the merger with CoD Vanguard a new, strong anti-cheat tool called Ricochet. According to the developers, it is even capable of permanently banning cheaters in all existing and future CoD games.
What is Ricochet? Under this term, CoD understands the new anti-cheat technology. On October 14, the developers introduced the long-anticipated anti-cheat tool. The new system is supposed to improve the security infrastructure of Warzone and CoD: Vanguard. Especially Warzone was heavily afflicted by cheaters in 2021, leading to the departure of many top streamers.
Cheaters could be banned forever in CoD games
What can Ricochet do? Ricochet consists of several components, some of which have already been implemented with the launch of Vanguard. There are already optimized server-side analysis tools, improved investigation processes, and increased account security. However, the most important new feature will come later, namely the kernel driver on the PC itself.
This is a small driver that is deeply embedded in the system of the computer and without which the new CoD games will no longer run. The kernel driver monitors whether suspicious programs influence CoD games, and takes appropriate measures if such a thing occurs.
A ban is expected to follow promptly. According to a new blog post from the developers (via CoD homepage), the ban could also be permanent for repeat offenders. This will not only affect Warzone but also Vanguard, Cold War, and every other existing CoD game. Even future Call of Duty titles will be affected by the ban, according to the developers.
By the way, anyone trying to conceal their identity or the nature of their hardware (to outsmart the kernel driver) is also expected to be banned.
How will that work? Since the kernel driver of Ricochet is deeply integrated into the system, it knows all the details of your hardware. In the event of a ban, you cannot simply create a new account and continue cheating. Ricochet would immediately detect this measure. Therefore, the developers have also equated the deliberate obfuscation of hardware information with cheating.
When will Ricochet be released? When CoD Vanguard merges with Warzone on December 2, 2021, and introduces the new Pacific map, the kernel driver of Ricochet should also come into play. However, it will initially be available only for Warzone and later for Vanguard’s multiplayer.
The developers’ hope is that this will finally put an end to the rampant cheating in Battle Royale. However, it remains to be seen whether the new system will work and deliver on its promises.
What else you need to know about the transition from Warzone to Vanguard can be found here: CoD Warzone is becoming Vanguard: All information on the new map and the graphics transition
