Battlefield 6 Beta: EA Blocks 300,000 Cheaters

Battlefield 6 Beta Plagued by Cheaters Shortly After Launch

Electronic Arts, a leading game developer, experienced a significant issue with cheaters almost immediately following the launch of its open beta for the forthcoming first-person shooter, Battlefield 6.

Widespread Reports of Cheating

Numerous players quickly voiced their concerns online, reporting encounters with individuals employing unfair advantages. The company’s anti-cheat team, identified as AC, responded to these reports in an official forum.

According to AC, within the first 48 hours of the beta being live, players submitted 104,000 reports detailing potential cheating activity. Furthermore, the system blocked 330,000 attempts to circumvent or disable anti-cheat measures.

Kernel-Level Anti-Cheat System Employed

Electronic Arts utilizes a kernel-level anti-cheat system known as Javelin, similar to systems used in games like Valorant. This system operates with the highest level of access on a user’s computer.

This elevated privilege level allows Javelin to comprehensively monitor system activity, aiming to identify and prevent cheating software, which often operates discreetly in the background.

Acknowledging Limitations and Security Features

AC acknowledged that even with this robust system, complete eradication of cheaters isn't guaranteed. The post also highlighted the game’s enforcement of Secure Boot, a security feature integrated into Windows hardware.

AC clarified that Secure Boot isn’t a definitive solution, but rather a crucial component in building a stronger defense. It serves as an additional obstacle for cheat developers and facilitates cheat detection.

An Ongoing Battle Against Cheaters

“Anti-Cheat isn’t a one-time fix; it’s a constantly evolving challenge,” AC stated. “Strategies that proved effective in the past, or in other games, don’t always translate universally.”

An Electronic Arts representative confirmed to TechCrunch that no new data regarding player bans is currently available.

Industry-Wide Problem and Proactive Measures

The presence of cheaters represents a persistent challenge for all online video games. Companies such as Riot Games (Valorant) and Activision (Call of Duty) have also implemented kernel-level anti-cheat systems in response.

Riot Games' Multi-Faceted Approach

Phillip Koskinas, head of anti-cheat at Riot Games, explained to TechCrunch earlier this year that their system employs a variety of tactics to combat cheating.