Game Security
Ongoing coverage on Game Security.
Latest coverage
Is Aimbot Software Worth the Ban Risk in CS2 and Warzone?
This analysis examines the risks associated with using aimbot software in games like Counter-Strike 2 and Call of Duty: Warzone, detailing how anti-cheat systems from Valve, Riot Games, Activision, and BattlEye operate and their ban cadences. It highlights that 'undetectable' software only reduces risk, not eliminate it, and discusses the consequences of bans, including account wipes, hardware bans, and reputational damage in esports.
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight cracked within hours, as its Denuvo DRM bypassed soon after launch
The Denuvo DRM protection for Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight was bypassed mere hours after the game's Deluxe edition launched. This incident highlights the ongoing struggle between game publishers and pirates, with Denuvo's effectiveness in delaying cracks diminishing significantly.
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight cracked within hours, as its Denuvo DRM bypassed soon after launch
The Denuvo DRM protection for Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight was bypassed mere hours after the game's launch, continuing a trend of increasingly rapid cracks. This incident highlights the ongoing struggle between anti-piracy measures and crackers, with Denuvo's effectiveness being questioned as it fails to even delay piracy beyond the initial release window.
Subnautica 2 is the next game to leak before launch – will somebody get the games industry a plumber (not that one!)
Subnautica 2 has reportedly leaked before its official launch, becoming the latest game to suffer a pre-release data breach. This follows similar incidents with Forza Horizon 6, a new Lego Batman game, and Directive 8020. The article discusses the increasing frequency of game leaks and their potential impact on sales, contrasting it with Rockstar's cautious approach to releasing Grand Theft Auto VI on PC.
Forza Horizon 6 leaking early was "not the result of a pre-load issue", developers Playground say, while threatening "franchise-wide and hardware bans"
Playground Games has confirmed that the early leak of Forza Horizon 6 was not due to a Steam pre-load issue, but likely from someone with early access. The studio is taking strict enforcement actions, including franchise-wide and hardware bans, against those playing pirated copies. SteamDB has also distanced itself from the leak, stating they did not provide the files.
Forza Horizon 6 player banned for 7,973 years after playing cracked version
Playground Games has issued a lifetime ban to a player who accessed an unencrypted version of Forza Horizon 6 before its official release. The ban, set to expire in the year 9999, was given for accessing cracked game files. A similar ban was issued to a Forza Horizon 5 player for a livery design.
Issues and Activism
Denuvo, a digital rights management (DRM) software used to protect PC games, has reportedly been cracked or bypassed. This development means that games previously secured by Denuvo can now be accessed without the intended restrictions.
Game Leak Highlights Ongoing Emulation Security Battles
Recent game leaks running on emulators highlight the ongoing security battles within the gaming industry. These incidents demonstrate the increasing sophistication of emulation tools and the challenges publishers face in protecting their intellectual property through DRM and encryption. The article discusses the technical arms race between pirates and publishers, the impact of leaks on marketing and sales, and the industry's exploration of cloud gaming as a potential solution to piracy concerns.
Anti-Cheat Expert (ACE) Unveils Industry-First Anti-Cracking iOS Hardening Solution and AI Security Framework at GDC 2026
At GDC 2026, Tencent Games' Anti-Cheat Expert (ACE) division introduced its new iOS Hardening Solution and an AI-powered anti-cheat framework for extraction shooters. These technologies address platform-level vulnerabilities and sophisticated cheating methods, aiming to foster fairer gaming environments. ACE also released a new guidebook on building secure game ecosystems.
For The First Time, A Denuvo Game From 2025 Has Been Cracked By Pirates
For the first time, a game utilizing Denuvo anti-tamper technology, slated for release in 2025, has been cracked by pirates. This development is highlighted in the context of VGChartz's "Best Shooter of 2025" nominees, where the absence of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is noted as a significant event.
New Steam game has 300,000 players, but mostly negative reviews
The new Steam game Mecha BREAK has attracted over 300,000 concurrent players during its open beta, briefly surpassing titles like Marvel Rivals. However, the game has received mostly negative reviews due to significant concerns regarding game security, monetization practices, and overall gameplay balance.
