Valve Updates Anti-Cheat Platform

Steam's New Anti-Cheat Disclosure Policy Sparks Debate

Steam has implemented a new policy requiring developers to disclose the use of kernel-mode anti-cheat in their games. This move, announced on the Steam News Hub, aims to enhance transparency for players and streamline communication for developers regarding anti-cheat software.

The updated Steamworks API now allows developers to specify whether their games utilize any anti-cheat system. While disclosure for client or server-side anti-cheat remains optional, kernel-mode anti-cheat implementation is mandatory. This addresses growing player concerns about the potential invasiveness of such systems.

Kernel-mode anti-cheat operates by directly examining processes on a player's device, a practice that has drawn criticism. Unlike traditional methods which monitor in-game behavior, kernel-mode access to low-level system data raises privacy and performance concerns for some users.

Valve's decision reflects feedback from both developers and players. Developers sought clearer methods to communicate anti-cheat details, while players demanded greater transparency regarding the software used and its potential impact. Valve's official statement emphasizes this dual motivation for the update.

The new feature, launched on October 31st, 2024, is already visible on game store pages. Counter-Strike 2, for instance, now clearly displays its use of Valve Anti-Cheat (VAC).

Initial community response is mixed. While many applaud Valve's pro-consumer approach, some criticize minor issues like wording inconsistencies or question the practicality of handling translations and diverse anti-cheat classifications (e.g., client-side kernel-mode). Concerns about the intrusiveness of kernel-mode anti-cheat persist.

Despite this, Valve's commitment to consumer protection is highlighted by their transparency regarding recent California legislation aimed at combating deceptive digital goods advertising. Whether this new policy will fully address community anxieties regarding kernel-mode anti-cheat remains uncertain.