Today, October 20th, it's happening: Arrowhead is switching Helldivers 2 from its previous anti-cheat software, GameGuard, to Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC). The studio aims to crack down harder on cheat mods that affect other players' experience.
Why is Arrowhead Switching Anti-Cheat?
The reasoning is unusually candid. Arrowhead states that GameGuard's implementation was “not as effective as it could have been”. That's why they're taking a different approach with EAC. EAC is an industry standard in over 200 games and better protects the Galactic War and fair gameplay.
Easy Anti-Cheat is owned by Epic and is used in games like Elden Ring, Fortnite, and Rust. Additionally, the studio announced further security tools to enhance protection.
Which Mods Will Still Function After the Switch?
This is where it gets interesting for modders. Arrowhead emphasizes that mods are part of PC gaming's DNA, and they appreciate cosmetic mods that don't affect gameplay. They aim to improve protection against modifications that provide unfair advantages or negatively impact other players.
- Mods that affect other players might no longer work.
- Even harmless cosmetic mods may require an update from their creators.
- Anyone who believes a harmless mod is being incorrectly blocked should contact support via Zendesk.
What Does This Mean for Players?
Our assessment: Helldivers 2 is a co-op game where cheaters can spoil the fun for strangers and distort the Galactic War. Stricter protection is therefore understandable. Rock Paper Shotgun suspects that HUD and UI overhauls, in particular, will become contentious, as they only affect the player's own client but could potentially reveal more threats. This is the portal's assessment; Arrowhead has not officially commented on this.
Practically, this means: If you use mods, check after the update if they still function, and look for updates on the mod authors' pages.
Source: Rock Paper Shotgun
Do you use mods in Helldivers 2, and what do you think of the switch? Discuss with us in the comments!
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