Kernel-mode anti-cheat software is a controversial subject among gamers. While it is highly effective in tackling cheating, many players worry about potential risks to system security and performance. On the other hand, many players are eager to see a reduction in cheating and view kernel-level anti-cheat as the best solution. This creates a challenging balance for game developers and platforms like Steam, who must consider both sides of the debate.
Steam’s recent update won’t change kernel-mode anti-cheat fundamentals, but it aims to increase transparency. Now, developers can disclose what type of anti-cheat software their games use on Steam store pages. Specifically, any game employing kernel-mode anti-cheat must make that information available upfront. This requirement addresses a demand from both developers, who want to communicate anti-cheat measures effectively, and players, who seek more transparency about software that could access their system’s core.
In their announcement, Valve explained, “We’ve heard from more and more developers recently that they’re looking for the right way to share anti-cheat information about their game with players. At the same time, players have been requesting more transparency around the anti-cheat services used in games and the existence of any additional software that will be installed within the game.”
New games on Steam that install kernel-mode anti-cheat software are now required to fill out the anti-cheat information field. Valve is also contacting developers of older games that use kernel-level anti-cheat to encourage them to update their listings with this information. Although games using server- or client-based anti-cheat that isn’t kernel-level don’t have to update their pages, Valve believes any game with anti-cheat software could benefit from disclosure.
So far, the response to this change has been largely positive, with players appreciating the added transparency. However, a few users have taken the opportunity to renew criticism of kernel-mode anti-cheat in general. Kernel-mode systems have faced backlash for years, with Riot Games’ Vanguard software, Activision’s Ricochet, and EA’s recent anti-cheat initiatives sparking significant debate. Despite these concerns, kernel-mode anti-cheat remains a fixture, and now Steam users will be informed when a game employs it.