Activision takes down "undetectable" cross-platform Call of Duty: Warzone cheat
A cross-platform and practically undetectable Call of Duty: Warzone cheat has been blocked by Activision after the impressive software gained popularity last week.
Activision is trying its hardest to prevent the proliferation of advanced cheating software online by eliminating problems before they spread, and as such has forced the developer of the Userviz software to take down the exploit (thanks, Vice).
Userviz caught the attention of a vigilant anti-cheat group, who called it "the next generation of cheating" in a tweet. The software itself is platform-agnostic – working across PC, Xbox, and PlayStation – and leveraged features like auto-aim, auto-lock on, and the ability to determine which weapon you are using to automatically reduce recoil and give even the best opponents no chance to counter you.
"Team, this statement was not required," wrote the anonymous User101, developer of the software. "However, at the request of Activision Publishing, Inc (“Activision”), I will no longer be developing or providing access to software that could be used to exploit their games. My intent was never to do anything illegal. At the end of the video that brought so much attention to this project, it stated 'coming soon'. The software was never published.
"This type of technology has other actual assistive benefits, for example, by pointing a webcam at yourself you could control movement without the use of limbs. Unfortunately, because of its potential negative impact I will not be developing it further."
It's anti-competitive, and the developer promised the hack would work not just in Warzone, but across other games, too. The software utilizes machine learning, and it's highly likely that in the months and years to come, we're going to see many more interpretations of this tech materialize.
Warzone developer Raven Software is locked in a long battle, trying to wrest control of the game from cheaters, and has committed to monthly updates regarding nefarious activity in the game, and has even increased the frequency and severity of its ban waves in an effort to stem the hackers.
Given Raven has outright said hackers are ruining some of the studio's best work, it's no surprise to see Activision take a proactive approach at stopping cheaters in their tracks.