RICOCHET Anti-Cheat: Call of Duty’s New Anti-Cheat Initiative

What is RICOCHET Anti-Cheat?

The RICOCHET Anti-Cheat initiative is a multi-faceted approach to combat cheating. It features new server-side tools that 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 these server enhancements, RICOCHET Anti-Cheat will feature 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 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 of fair play. 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; 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?  

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.