Activision is announcing their new anti-cheat system for Call of Duty: Warzone and Call of Duty: Vanguard: RICOCHET. The new anti-cheat system is a kernel-level implementation that monitors all system activity, looking out for suspicious backend activities now emerging in sophisticated cheating software which supercedes the common user-level access that most games have.
Backend anti-cheat security features will launch alongside Call of Duty: Vanguard, and later this year with the Pacific update coming to Call of Duty: Warzone.
You can read the FAQ published by Activision in its entirety below:
What is RICOCHET Anti-Cheat?
The RICOCHET Anti-Cheat initiative is a multi-faceted approach to combat cheating, featuring new server-side tools which monitor analytics to identify cheating, enhanced investigation processes to stamp out cheaters, updates to strengthen account security, and more. RICOCHET Anti-Cheat’s backend anti-cheat security features will launch alongside Call of Duty®: Vanguard, and later this year with the Pacific update coming to Call of Duty®: Warzone™.  In addition to server enhancements coming with RICOCHET Anti-Cheat is the launch of a new PC kernel-level driver, launching first for Call of Duty: Warzone.
How does the RICOCHET Anti-Cheat kernel-level driver work?
The PC kernel-level driver monitors and reports applications that attempt to interact with Call of Duty: Warzone, allowing the RICOCHET Anti-Cheat team to determine if a machine is utilizing unauthorized processes to manipulate the game.
What is a kernel-level driver?
A kernel-level driver is computer code that operates with high privileges on your computer, able to access all resources on your system while it is running. Kernel-level drivers are generally used to allow access to your overall computer hardware, such as drivers for your graphics card. Typical software, such as games, operate on the user-level and have limited access to the kernel-level and other user-mode processes.
Why does RICOCHET Anti-Cheat use a kernel-level driver instead of software from the user level of access?
Cheating software has become more sophisticated, allowing cheaters to circumvent traditional approaches to security. A kernel-level driver allows for the monitoring of applications that may attempt to manipulate Call of Duty: Warzone game code, while it is running.
User-mode applications have limitations on access and monitoring, making it more likely for unauthorized software to manipulate game code or to circumvent security features.
Will the kernel-level driver be available in Call of Duty: Vanguard?
RICOCHET Anti-Cheat will enhance anti-cheat security for both Call of Duty: Vanguard and Call of Duty: Warzone when it launches later this year alongside the Pacific update for Warzone. The PC kernel-level driver will arrive first for Warzone and subsequently release for Call of Duty: Vanguard at a later date.
Is the kernel-level driver in RICOCHET Anti-Cheat always-on, even when I’m not playing Call of Duty: Warzone?
No. RICOCHET Anti-Cheat’s kernel-level driver will only operate when you play Call of Duty: Warzone on PC. The driver shuts down when you exit the game and turns on when you start a new game.
What data does the driver examine on my PC?
The driver monitors the machine and processes interacting with Call of Duty: Warzone to determine if they are manipulating the game. This data helps identify cheaters as well as helps the RICOCHET Anti-Cheat team to strengthen the overall anti-cheating security.
What testing has been done to test the kernel-level driver?
Testing for the new driver has been done to ensure system stability across a large range of PCs. The RICOCHET Anti-Cheat team is committed to continued testing and is committed to iteration after launch.
Can I opt out of using the driver to play Call of Duty: Warzone?
RICOCHET Anti-Cheat’s kernel-level driver will be required to play Call of Duty: Warzone on PC when it launches later this year.
Will this solve cheating issues?
There is no single solution or policy to cheating. The RICOCHET Anti-Cheat team’s commitment is the relentless pursuit fair play, which is fought against the sophisticated issue of cheating. We are dedicated and determined to evolve the RICOCHET Anti-Cheat System, fighting for the community against those that aim to spoil their gaming experience.
Players are also an important element to anti-cheat measures, as it’s critical you report suspicious behavior using in-game reporting tools. Find out how to report a player in Call of Duty: Warzone.
Should players report others in-game for cheating?Â
Yes. Players should always report issues they encounter. In-game reporting is critical to identifying issues and gives our team the foundation to develop iterations as part of the evolving RICOCHET Anti-Cheat system. Find out how to report a player in Call of Duty: Warzone.
Are there additional system requirements for the kernel-level driver?
RICOCHET Anti-Cheat’s kernel-level driver will be added to Call of Duty: Warzone via an update alongside the release of the Pacific update for Warzone later this year. There are no additional requirements.
How do I uninstall RICOCHET Anti-Cheat’s PC kernel-level driver?
RICOCHET Anti-Cheat’s PC kernel-level driver is a part of the installation process for Call of Duty: Warzone, and only operates when you are running the game. If Call of Duty: Warzone is uninstalled, the kernel-level driver will be removed from your machine. Subsequent installations of Call of Duty: Warzone on PC will include the kernel-level driver.
Will RICOCHET Anti-Cheat be available on consoles?
While the kernel driver, which is only a part of RICOCHET Anti-Cheat, will release to PC, by extension, console players playing via cross-play against players on PC will also stand to benefit.
How else can I protect my account?
Two-factor authentication is extremely important for your account security. We strongly recommend two-factor authentication for Call of Duty, log into your account and learn how to enable two-factor authentication.
