Apex Legends has long struggled with a significant cheating problem, but the developers at Respawn Entertainment are addressing the issue head-on. In a recent update on the official Apex Legends website, the devs outlined their ongoing efforts and new strategies to combat cheating in the game. This comes as welcome news to players who have been increasingly frustrated with the prevalence of cheaters, especially following high-profile incidents like the Destroyer 2009 hack during the ALGS games.
The Current State of Cheating in Apex Legends
Respawn revealed some staggering statistics: over 6 million accounts have been banned since Apex Legends launched, with more than 100,000 accounts being banned each month on average. The bulk of these bans are for cheating, underscoring the severity of the problem. The devs acknowledged that while they’ve been active in this fight, they haven’t been as successful as needed, prompting a step-up in their anti-cheat measures.
Expanding Anti-Cheat Efforts Globally
One of the most significant changes is the expansion of their anti-cheat team across the globe. This includes 24/7 coverage and the addition of dedicated staff in regions particularly hard hit by cheating, such as the Asia-Pacific region. Players in this region have long reported rampant cheating and bot lobbies, where matches are filled with bots used to farm kills and stats. The increased coverage in these regions is expected to make a noticeable difference in the quality of gameplay.
Tools and Technology: What’s New?
Respawn has implemented a kernel-level anti-cheat service and layered multiple protections, primarily using Easy Anti-Cheat. They’ve rolled out additional capabilities, improving their processes and deploying new tools and technologies faster than ever. While the specifics of these tools are kept under wraps to prevent tipping off cheat developers, Respawn’s commitment to enhancing their anti-cheat technology is clear.
In their latest ban report covering June to July 2024, Respawn disclosed that over 200,000 accounts were permanently banned, with 193,000 of those bans being directly related to cheating. Additionally, 16,500 bot accounts were banned, many of which were used to farm XP for resale.
Human Oversight and Live Coverage
To complement their technological efforts, Respawn has also expanded their team responsible for monitoring gameplay and taking action against bad actors. This team can remove players mid-match, mute problematic chat users, and issue bans as necessary. The human element is crucial in making real-time decisions to maintain game integrity, particularly in regions like Asia-Pacific, where the cheating problem has been most acute.
Future Improvements and Player Reporting
Respawn is also working on closing the feedback loop for players who report cheating. In a future update, they hope to provide quicker feedback to players when action is taken on their reports. This could increase player engagement in reporting issues and help Respawn tackle the problem more effectively.
For players looking to stay updated on Apex Legends’ anti-cheat measures, the developers have committed to providing regular updates through their social media platforms and the Apex Legends game status section.
A Never-Ending Battle
While these measures represent a significant step forward, the battle against cheaters in Apex Legends is ongoing. As Respawn enhances its anti-cheat efforts, cheat developers also adapt, making this a continuous struggle. However, the transparency and commitment shown by Respawn give hope that the cheating problem will be mitigated, if not entirely eradicated, in the future.
Players in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond will be watching closely to see if these changes make a tangible difference in their gaming experience.
