Arrowhead Game Studios’ methods to take down hackers in Helldivers 2 may have backfired as many innocent players are getting banned. Helldivers 2 uses kernel-level anti-cheat software, which is also called rootkits. Players have found Helldivers 2‘s anti-cheat software suspicious because Kernel level means it’s at the core of an Operating System and generally has full control over the entire system.
A post on the Helldivers 2 subreddit has put the spotlight on this “suspicious anti-cheat” system claiming that this system is ruining the game. Arrowhead developers have claimed that this system will take down hackers but the game is still filled with hackers who are getting innocent players banned. Arrowhead needs to address this issue as this is also one of the reasons why many players are uninstalling Helldivers 2.
The suspicious anti-cheat system is forcing many players to uninstall Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2 uses a “kernel-level“, aka rootkit, anti-cheat system called GameGuard. Obviously, an anti-cheat system for an online game is necessary but it seems like Arrowhead is still struggling to fight off hackers. A Reddit post on the r/Helldivers subreddit has pointed out that Helldivers 2‘s anti-cheat is doing nothing,
Helldivers 2 very powerful anti-cheat
byu/Ements_ inHelldivers
The point of a “kernel-level” anti-cheat is to allow them to tackle hackers more effectively, but it seems like only innocent players are getting banned while the real hackers are able to spawn mechs, tanks, cars, infinite samples, and 500 500kg bombs without facing any consequences.
Many players pointed out that it is quite easy to use cheats in Helldivers 2, confirming that the GameGuard anti-cheat isn’t doing anything to ban hackers. There’s no point in implementing a useless anti-cheat system that has full control over a player’s system. This explains why many players are reluctant to download the game and those who already have it, are also convinced to uninstall it.
The Technical Director of Helldivers 2 claimed that GameGuard is safe
Peter Lindgren, the Technical Director of Helldivers 2, once addressed the concerns regarding Helldivers 2‘s anti-cheat system. He explained that the anti-cheat does not collect any personal data (via TechPowerUp),
GameGuard does not collect any personally identifiable information (PII) … On a more technical note, GameGuard is scanning the running processes (applications) for malicious software and attempts to block such software from manipulating the game client.
Lindgren added that GameGuard is only active while the game is running so it does not reduce the performance of a PC. He added that the point of anti-cheat is to make it more difficult and time-consuming to develop cheats but admitted that it’s not possible to stop cheating completely as someone with skills, dedication, and resources might be able to beat their system.
Helldivers 2 is available on Windows and PlayStation 5.
