Highlights

  • League of Legends implements Hardware ID bans targeting cheaters' entire PCs to further enhance anti-cheat efforts.
  • The Vanguard anti-cheat system marks a significant escalation in Riot Games' fight against cheating in LoL.
  • Increases in banned accounts post-Vanguard rollout reflects intensified efforts to maintain fair gaming.

In a bid to combat cheating and uphold the integrity of its environment, League of Legends has fully implemented the Vanguard advanced anti-cheat system, while also announcing new Hardware ID bans for the first time. This new measure, targeting cheaters' entire PCs rather than just their accounts, marks a significant escalation in Riot Games' efforts to address cheating and botting in League of Legends.

League of Legends is a highly popular MOBA video game developed and published by Riot Games. Players assume the role of unique League of Legends characters known as champions, each with their own abilities, and compete in teams to destroy the opposing team's base while defending their own. The game combines elements of strategy, teamwork, and skill. Since its release over 10 years ago, the game has struggled with cheating issues that Riot Games is finally addressing.

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Alongside the increased presence of Riot Games' advanced anti-cheat system, Vanguard, inside of League of Legends, comes the introduction of hardware id bans. Vanguard operates at the kernel level of players' PCs, granting it deep access to the system to detect and prevent unauthorized software and cheats. While this level of access has raised privacy concerns among users, Riot Games argues that it is necessary to ensure League of Legends' fair and competitive gaming environment by effectively identifying and eliminating sophisticated cheats that other systems might miss.

A chart shared by Phillip Koskinas, head of anti-cheat at LoL, shows the number of banned accounts in League of Legends over a period from March 16, 2024, to May 18, 2024. It illustrates a significant increase in bans, particularly with the introduction of Vanguard around early May, leading to a substantial rise in banned accounts compared to the previous months. This suggests that Vanguard has become the primary tool for identifying and banning cheaters, reflecting Riot Games' intensified efforts to curb cheating in the game.

League of Legends Players' Concerns About Vanguard

However, the integration of Vanguard into League of Legends has not been without controversy. Some players have reported issues, claiming that the software is "bricking" their PCs. Riot Games, while acknowledging these reports, asserts that Vanguard is not causing the alleged hardware problems. They emphasize that they have not confirmed any instances of hardware being bricked by the software and suggest that reported issues may stem from other sources, such as incorrect BIOS settings. Riot has offered troubleshooting tips and encouraged affected players to reach out to support for assistance.

Through the implementation of hardware bans and consistent updates to League of Legends, Riot Games demonstrates its dedication to ensuring an enjoyable experience for all players. Despite ongoing challenges posed by cheating, the developer remains committed to fostering a fair gaming environment.