Activision has announced a new measure to combat cheating in its popular Call of Duty franchise. The company’s anti-cheat system, Ricochet, will now automatically close the game if it detects that a mouse and keyboard player is using aim assist, a feature that is intended for controller users only.
Aim assist is a function that helps controller players aim more accurately and smoothly by slightly adjusting their crosshair towards the enemy. It is designed to compensate for the inherent disadvantages of using a thumbstick compared to a mouse, which offers more precision and speed.
However, some mouse and keyboard players have found ways to exploit aim assist by using third-party software or hardware that tricks the game into thinking that they are using a controller. This gives them an unfair advantage over other players, as they can combine the benefits of both input methods.
How Does Ricochet Detect and Prevent Cheating?
Ricochet is Activision’s anti-cheat system that was launched in 2021 to address the growing problem of cheating in Call of Duty games, especially in the free-to-play battle royale mode, Warzone. Ricochet uses a combination of server-side and client-side detection methods to identify and ban cheaters.
According to Activision’s latest statement, Ricochet will now target players who use tools to activate aim assist while using a mouse and keyboard. If detected, the Call of Duty application will close immediately. Repeated use of these tools may lead to further account action, such as suspensions or permanent bans.
Which Games and Platforms are Affected by this Update?
The new anti-cheat measure applies to all Call of Duty games that use Ricochet, which are Modern Warfare 3, Modern Warfare 2, and Warzone. It also affects all platforms that support mouse and keyboard input, which are PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
Activision has also warned that players who use unauthorized third-party hardware, such as XIM and Cronus Zen, to enable aim assist and reduce recoil are also subject to detection and bans by Ricochet. These devices are often used by console players who want to use mouse and keyboard without losing aim assist.
What are the Reactions from the Call of Duty Community?
The announcement of the new anti-cheat measure has been met with mixed reactions from the Call of Duty community. Some players have praised Activision for taking action against cheaters and improving the game’s integrity and fairness. Others have criticized Activision for not addressing other forms of cheating, such as wallhacks, aimbots, and DDoS attacks, that are still rampant in the game.
Some players have also expressed skepticism about the effectiveness and reliability of Ricochet, as they claim that it has failed to stop many cheaters in the past. They have also raised concerns about the potential for false positives, as some legitimate players may use accessibility features or custom keybindings that could trigger Ricochet’s detection.
What’s Next for Call of Duty and Ricochet?
Activision has stated that it is constantly working to improve Ricochet and its anti-cheat efforts, and that it will continue to update the community on its progress and plans. The company has also asked players to report any suspicious activity or behavior they encounter in the game, and to avoid using any unauthorized software or hardware that could compromise their account security.
Meanwhile, Call of Duty fans can look forward to the upcoming Season 1 Reloaded update, which will introduce a new map, game modes, multiplayer ranked play, and more to Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone. The update is expected to launch later this month.