Cheating in Call of Duty is frustrating for players, developers, and the entire community.

Our teams have made great strides in combatting this persistent issue that affects so many, but we know more must be done.

We are proud to introduce Ricochet, a robust anti-cheat system supported by a team of dedicated professionals focused on fighting unfair play.

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’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 is the launch of a new PC kernel-level driver, developed internally for the Call of Duty franchise, and launching first for Call of Duty: Warzone. This driver will assist in the identification of cheaters, reinforcing and strengthening the overall server security. The kernel-level driver launches alongside the Pacific update for Warzone later this year.

While the kernel driver, which is only a part of Ricochet, will release to PC, by extension, console players playing via cross-play against players on PC will also stand to benefit. The kernel-level driver will subsequently release for Call of Duty: Vanguard at a later date.

What is Ricochet?

Ricochet Anti-Cheat is designed to fight unfair play.

Here is why Ricochet matters:

1.   A Full Anti-Cheat System. Ricochet brings a broad enhancement to the security of for Call of Duty, bringing server enhancements to Call of Duty: Vanguard and Call of Duty: Warzone. Launching first in Warzone later this year is a new kernel-level driver on PC. The driver will be integrated into Call of Duty: Vanguard at a later date. The new initiative allows for rapid iteration to combat a sophisticated and evolving problem.

2.   Call of Duty: Warzone Adds Kernel-Level Driver. Kernel-level drivers are given a high level of access to monitor and manage software and applications on a PC, such as your PC’s graphics card driver. The driver element of the Ricochet system will check the software and applications that attempt to interact and manipulate Call of Duty: Warzone, providing the overall security team more data to bolster security. Once is the kernel-level driver is deployed; it will be required to play Warzone. For more detailed information about Ricochet and its kernel-level driver, read the dedicated FAQ.

3.   Protecting Your Privacy.  In its initial rollout on Call of Duty: Warzone, the kernel-level driver will only operate when you play on PC. The driver is not always-on. The software turns on when you start Call of Duty: Warzone and shuts down when you close the game.  Plus, the kernel-level driver only monitors and reports activity related to Call of Duty. 

4.   Feedback and Transparency Are Crucial. You are also a critical part in our pursuit to combat cheating.  So, please continue to report issues in-game, allowing the Ricochet team to adapt all tools to combat cheaters.

How the kernel-level driver works

The kernel-level driver for PC as part of the Ricochet Anti-Cheat system monitors software or applications that attempt to interact with Call of Duty: Warzone.

The driver will help the Ricochet team to learn about suspicious behavior, using that data to strengthen overall anti-cheating security over time.

Ensuring player privacy is extremely important, and the prospect of a kernel-level driver may give some players pause. Given those concerns, here is how your privacy will remain unaffected with Ricochet:

·      Ricochet’s kernel-level driver operates ONLY while playing Call of Duty: Warzone on PC.

·      Ricochet’s driver is not always-on.

·      Ricochet’s driver monitors the software and applications that interact with Call of Duty: Warzone.

·      When you shut down Call of Duty: Warzone, the driver turns off.

Testing for the new driver has been done to ensure system stability across a large range of PCs. The Ricochet team is committed to continued testing and iteration after launch.

Player-reporting will remain a critical element in all anti-cheat measures, so it’s important that players continue to report suspicious behavior they encounter online.

Another layer in the battle against cheaters is the evolving use of machine learning (ML). ML algorithms examine gameplay data from the server, helping to identify suspicious behavior trends, and add another layer of security as part of the overall Ricochet initiative.

A critical element of security is ensuring your own account is protected.  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.

When Ricochet launches, we intend to amplify its arrival, both in-game and by using our communication channels – our blog, social media, and other forms of outreach – to keep everyone informed.

The Ricochet team’s commitment is the relentless pursuit of fair play, which is fought against the sophisticated issue of cheating. We are dedicated and determined to evolve the Ricochet Anti-Cheat System over time, fighting for the community against those that aim to spoil their gaming experience.

For further information, click here.