In the world of online gaming, the battle against cheaters is relentless. Developers strive to maintain a fair playing field, and anti-cheat software is a critical part of this endeavor. Two prominent solutions are FACEIT Anti-Cheat and Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC). While both are designed to prevent cheating, their methods and implications for users differ significantly. This blog post will explore these differences and why the transition from EAC to FACEIT is a big deal for many players.
The Anatomy of FACEIT and EAC
FACEIT Anti-Cheat
FACEIT Anti-Cheat consists of two main components: client-side and server-side.
- Server-Side: This part of the anti-cheat system analyzes gameplay statistics and patterns to detect suspicious behavior. It is generally well-regarded because it does not intrude on the user’s personal computer.
- Client-Side: This is where the controversy lies. FACEIT’s client-side anti-cheat operates at the kernel level, meaning it has deep access to your system, including all running processes and files. A significant concern is that it runs from system boot to shutdown, always monitoring the computer. This level of access raises substantial privacy and security issues. Users must restart their PCs if they use certain legitimate software, like process explorers, before they can play again.
Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC)
EAC is also a kernel-level anti-cheat but with a crucial difference:
- On-Demand Operation: EAC only activates when you launch a game that requires it. Once the game is closed, EAC stops running. This approach is seen as more user-friendly and less intrusive, providing a balance between security and usability.
Privacy and Security Concerns
Kernel-Level Access
Both FACEIT and EAC operate at the kernel level, giving them extensive control over your system. They can monitor all activities, which poses potential privacy risks.
- Privacy Vulnerability: The extent of these vulnerabilities is uncertain. Very few experts can reverse-engineer these drivers to understand what data is being collected and how it’s used. This lack of transparency leads to significant distrust among users.
- Security Vulnerability: While these anti-cheat programs are heavily obfuscated to prevent tampering, their presence still opens a potential attack vector. They effectively create a backdoor that could, in theory, be exploited by malicious actors.
Persistent Monitoring vs. On-Demand
The primary distinction is that FACEIT’s client-side component runs continuously, while EAC activates only during gameplay. Continuous monitoring can interfere with legitimate software and activities, reducing overall user experience and raising more privacy concerns.
The User Experience
Intrusiveness
- FACEIT: Users report that FACEIT can flag legitimate software like Cheat Engine, which is often used for single-player games or work-related tasks. This can prevent players from starting the game until the flagged software is removed and the system is rebooted. This level of intrusiveness is a significant inconvenience for many users.
- EAC: EAC tends to be more lenient, prompting users to close specific applications before starting the game rather than running continuously in the background. This makes it more acceptable to users who value their system’s privacy and usability.
Effectiveness Against Cheaters
Diminishing Returns
While both anti-cheat systems aim to reduce cheating, the effectiveness has limits. More intrusive anti-cheats like FACEIT can reduce the number of undetected cheats and the prevalence of free cheats. However, dedicated cheaters will always find ways to bypass these systems, often resorting to more sophisticated methods like hardware cheats.
Permanent Solutions?
The arms race between anti-cheat developers and cheaters is ongoing. No anti-cheat system can guarantee a cheat-free environment due to the inherent access cheaters have to their hardware. While stricter anti-cheats can temporarily curb cheating, they can’t eliminate it entirely.
Cheating on FACEIT: A Persistent Issue
Despite the advanced measures taken by FACEIT, cheating remains a concern. Some experienced players have reported encounters with subtle cheaters who manage to bypass the anti-cheat system. These players often display unnaturally high levels of game sense and prediction abilities, which can seem suspiciously accurate. Reviewing gameplay footage can sometimes reveal these subtle cheats, though detecting them can be challenging.
The persistence of cheating on FACEIT highlights the ongoing arms race between cheaters and anti-cheat developers. Even with rigorous anti-cheat measures, some cheaters find ways to circumvent these protections, demonstrating that no system is foolproof.
Getgud.io: A Promising Server-Side Alternative
For those seeking a less intrusive but highly effective anti-cheat solution, Getgud.io offers a compelling alternative. Unlike client-side anti-cheat systems, Getgud.io operates entirely server-side, requiring no installation on the player’s machine. This approach eliminates privacy concerns associated with kernel-level access and persistent monitoring.
Key Features of Getgud.io
- Complete Observability: Getgud harnesses AI to provide comprehensive insights into player behavior, detecting cheats and toxic behavior such as griefing, camping, and boosting.
- No Client-Side Installation: By connecting directly to game servers, Getgud avoids the need for any software on the user’s computer, preserving privacy and reducing performance impact.
- Automated Actions: Developers can define rules and actions to automatically manage player behavior, from banning cheaters to promoting fair play.
- Detailed Analytics: Getgud offers in-depth analytics, helping developers understand game balance, player trends, and more. This can enhance game design and player retention by identifying and addressing issues proactively.
- Broad Compatibility: Getgud supports all first-person shooters and works across various platforms, making it a versatile choice for game developers.
FAQs
1. How much of a privacy vulnerability are kernel mode anti-cheats?
The extent of privacy vulnerabilities is uncertain, and this uncertainty is the core issue. Only a few experts can reverse-engineer these drivers to understand their operations fully. Anecdotal evidence suggests they might collect more data than users would like.
2. How much of a security vulnerability are kernel mode anti-cheats?
Kernel mode anti-cheats open your PC to specific companies, which is inherently risky. However, these drivers are typically heavily obfuscated, making them less likely to be used as attack vectors by other malicious actors.
3. Why use kernel anti-cheats? Can’t they stay in user ring?
Kernel anti-cheats are more effective at detecting and preventing cheats that operate at the same level. User-level anti-cheats are generally unable to detect kernel-level cheats, which is why developers opt for the more invasive kernel-level solutions.
4. Will implementing FACEIT reduce the number of cheaters?
Yes, but not entirely. While more intrusive anti-cheats reduce the prevalence of undetected cheats, dedicated cheaters will always find ways to bypass them. The demand for sophisticated, paid cheats may increase as free cheats become less viable.
5. Can we win the arms race against cheaters?
No, there will always be cheaters. The constant evolution of cheating methods means that anti-cheat developers are always playing catch-up. Cheaters with access to physical hardware can find ways to bypass even the most sophisticated anti-cheat systems.
6. How do FACEIT and EAC handle legitimate software like Cheat Engine?
EAC prompts users to close specific applications before starting the game, whereas FACEIT may flag and prevent the game from running if such software is detected, requiring a system reboot to resolve the issue.
7. How do FACEIT and EAC impact Linux users?
FACEIT’s always-on nature and deep system access make it incompatible with Linux and Steam Deck, excluding these users from games that implement FACEIT. EAC, while still kernel-level, tends to be less intrusive and more compatible with different operating systems.
8. What is Getgud.io, and how does it work?
Getgud is a server-side anti-cheat solution that provides complete observability and insights into player behavior. It operates without requiring any client-side installation, preserving user privacy and reducing performance impact. Getgud uses AI to detect cheating and toxic behavior, offering detailed analytics and automated actions to maintain a fair gaming environment.
Conclusion
The transition from Easy Anti-Cheat to FACEIT Anti-Cheat represents a significant shift in how game developers approach the problem of cheating. While FACEIT’s more aggressive tactics may reduce cheating, they also introduce substantial privacy and usability concerns. Getgud.io presents a promising alternative, offering robust server-side protection without compromising user privacy. Ultimately, the decision to adopt such measures depends on balancing the desire for a cheat-free gaming environment against the potential intrusiveness and privacy risks posed to users. As this debate continues, it’s clear that there is no perfect solution, and the gaming community must navigate these trade-offs to find an acceptable middle ground.
