Cheat Software Isn't Bricking PCs
Kotaku • • technology
Key Points:
- Riot Games recently updated its Valorant anti-cheat software, Vanguard, to detect and disable DMA cheating tools even when Riot games are not running or installed, sparking controversy among players.
- Some players without DMA cards and who claim they have never cheated report false detections, PC problems, and even bans, with some forced to reinstall their operating systems.
- Riot initially joked about "bricking" DMA devices in a tweet but later clarified that Vanguard does not physically damage PCs or components, only disables the devices for Valorant.
- Despite Riot's clarification, many players continue to express frustration on forums, reporting technical issues such as game launch failures and suspected impacts on other games beyond Valorant.
- The reported problems highlight ongoing concerns about Vanguard's aggressive anti-cheat measures and their unintended consequences on legitimate users’ hardware and software.