From Exploit to Enforcement: Dissecting the Evolution of Video Game Cheating and Anti-Cheat Technologies
Authors
Skejø-Andresen, Silas ; Künstner, Hannes Manuel ; Olsen, Mathias Højte
Term
4. semester
Education
Publication year
2024
Submitted on
2024-06-01
Pages
115
Abstract
As the video game industry grows, cheating—especially in online multiplayer games—has become more common. This thesis outlines how cheating has evolved and how developers work to prevent it. It explains common methods such as aimbots (software that aims automatically), wallhacks (seeing through walls), and automated scripts, and describes the countermeasures used by game makers. The study analyzes anti-cheat methodologies and effectiveness, with a case focus on Ricochet in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, including building a cheat to test defenses in a controlled research context. It also examines why people cheat and the ethical issues involved, using surveys and insights from the hands-on development work. The goal is to clarify the cheat development lifecycle and how it is countered in practice, thereby contributing to stronger defenses against cheating in the gaming industry.
Den voksende spilbranche har medført mere snyd i især online multiplayer-spil. Denne afhandling giver et overblik over, hvordan snyd har udviklet sig, og hvordan spiludviklere forsøger at stoppe det. Den forklarer udbredte metoder som aimbots (programmer, der automatisk sigter), wallhacks (mulighed for at se gennem vægge) og automatiserede scripts, og beskriver, hvilke modforanstaltninger udviklere bruger. Afhandlingen analyserer anti-cheat-systemers metoder og effekt, med særligt fokus på Ricochet i spillet Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, blandt andet ved at udvikle en cheat for at teste systemets forsvar i en kontrolleret sammenhæng. Derudover undersøges snyderes motivationer og de etiske spørgsmål, der følger med, gennem spørgeskemaer og erfaringer fra det praktiske arbejde. Målet er at give en mere håndgribelig forståelse af, hvordan cheats bliver til og bekæmpes gennem hele udviklingsprocessen, og dermed bidrage til kampen mod snyd i spilverdenen.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
Keywords
Video Game Cheating ; Anti-Cheat Technologies ; Game Security ; Cheating Detection ; Behavioral Analysis ; Kernel-Level Scanning ; Data Encryption ; Hardware Bans ; Cheat Prevention ; Overlay Detection ; Game Integrity ; Dynamic Encryption ; Cheat Signatures ; Memory Obfuscation ; Player Skill Monitoring ; Real-Time Scanning ; Cheat Detection Algorithms ; Fair Gaming Environment ; Digital Forensics ; Game Data Protection