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This is how Activision is tackling cheating in competitive Call of Duty
TL;DR The issue of cheating in COD started getting more attention in 2020, following a post by Ninja on X. Activision claims its new anti-cheat efforts for Season 3 have banned 23% of cheaters before they enter a match. There has been a mixed response from the fanbase to the new methods with some lamenting … Continued The post This is how Activision is tackling cheating in competitive Call of Duty appeared first on Esports Insider.
TL;DR
- The issue of cheating in COD started getting more attention in 2020, following a post by Ninja on X.
- Activision claims its new anti-cheat efforts for Season 3 have banned 23% of cheaters before they enter a match.
- There has been a mixed response from the fanbase to the new methods with some lamenting the false bans that have resulted.
- Other games, such as Rainbow Six Siege, have utilized different methods, including a reputation system to reward upstanding R6 players while presenting punishments for bad behavior.
- While progress is being made, the arms race between cheat developers and anti-cheat methods will likely continue.
Activision has been dealing with cheaters in Call of Duty for decades, but it’s gotten worse as more players gain access to advanced exploitation methods. Some cheaters find ways to shoot through walls, while others exploit precise aimbots that offer perfect aim.
Whether you’re a casual or competitive player, Call of Duty cheating can affect you. Activision and Team Ricochet have been taking new steps to tackle Call of Duty’s cheating problem by issuing bans and implementing ways to detect unfair advantages. Here’s what you should know about cheating in Call of Duty’s competitive scene.
How does cheating affect Call of Duty?
As technology grows, so do new ways to exploit the gameplay systems in Warzone and Call of Duty multiplayer. Famous streamers, as well as everyday fans, often record clips of opponents cheating in their matches, so there has been more public outrage on the topic.
This phenomenon dates back to April of 2020 when Ninja took to X to call out a hacker he encountered in a Warzone match. Accounts by popular online influencers like Ninja help spread public awareness in the COD community, and posts like this have only increased in recent years.
Ninja’s call to action, along with many others, has been essential in getting Activision’s attention. In the last six months, over 228,000 accounts have seen bans due to cheating, with more to come as Team Ricochet implements advanced detection systems into Call of Duty Black Ops 6 and Warzone.
Cheat developers are exiting the marketplace
Team Ricochet isn’t only targeting cheaters in-game, but also the cheat developers. Activision reported that they’ve forced over 20 cheat developers off the market since the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 in October 2024.
They also conveyed that the recently released Season 3 will be bringing improvements to Call of Duty’s security systems and detection for common cheats, like aimbot. By expanding their anti-cheat efforts, Activision reported that they’ve managed to ban 23% of cheaters before they even enter a match.
Tackling cheaters in ranked is essential for Call of Duty to stay popular as a competitive multiplayer title, so luckily, Activision is stepping up to face the problem head-on. Proper detection systems will be imperative in identifying actual cheaters, though false bans can be a problem, too.
How are fans reacting to Team Ricochet?
The community response to Team Ricochet and its efforts has been mixed, but in 2025, the relationship has developed positively. There are still many fans who feel that Activision could be doing more to combat cheating Call of Duty players, but any new efforts or improvements are typically received well. However, the public comments on Activision’s social media posts regarding anti-cheat programs can be volatile at times.
The biggest complaint COD players have against the recent anti-cheat efforts lies in false bans. For example, Team Ricochet accidentally banned a handful of Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone accounts in October 2024. Players can be banned for aimbot, triggerbot, or cheats that allow you to see through walls, among many other exploitative hacks.
