Game Security
Ongoing coverage on Game Security.
Latest coverage
Final Fantasy 14 players get 1 free day of game time after Square Enix lifts the MMO's PHP lockdown
Square Enix will provide one free day of game time to subscribed Final Fantasy XIV players who had active subscriptions as of October 21, 2026. This compensation addresses lost playtime due to unexpected server shutdowns caused by global PHP security vulnerabilities. Players on X expressed satisfaction with the quick response and compensation.
Fortnite is coming to Linux once Epic improves Easy Anti-Cheat
Epic Games plans to bring Fortnite to Linux by rebuilding its Easy Anti-Cheat system to support the operating system. This initiative aims to make the game playable on Linux distributions and will also provide improvements to other developers. While Steam Deck compatibility is being discussed with Valve, it is not yet supported by the new EAC Linux v2 solution.
Riot locks down League of Legends match replays, leaving plenty players in the dark
Riot Games has restricted access to League of Legends match replays, allowing players to only view their own past games. This change is intended to close security vulnerabilities exploited by cheat developers, but it significantly impacts coaches and content creators who rely on replays for analysis and content.
A Guide on how to Check Before Purchasing an MLBB Account in 2026
This guide provides advice on how to safely purchase Mobile Legends: Bang Bang accounts, especially heading into 2026 as Moonton tightens security. It emphasizes checking rank history, season consistency, hero mastery, and emblem investment, as well as verifying seller legitimacy and checking for prior moderation flags. The guide also highlights the inherent risks of account trading, including potential bans and recovery scams, and suggests using platforms like Buyacc for a safer transaction process.
"This one is especially bad": Steam game about mistreating ragdolls suffers second bout of mod-based malware this year
The Steam sandbox game People Playground has been hit by a second malware attack via a mod this year, forcing its developer Studio Minus to disable the Steam Workshop. Players who used mods on September 21st are urged to run virus scans and avoid launching the game until it's deemed safe, as the malware can compromise personal data and Steam configurations.
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.
