RIOT GAMES, the developer behind the popular game League of Legends, has recently introduced a new anti-cheat system called Vanguard, which has sparked mixed reactions among players. Vanguard operates at the Windows nucleus level, aiming to detect and block cheaters. However, the methods used in Vanguard have raised concerns among many users.
Exclusion of Linux and MacOS
The system is not supported by Linux and MacOS, meaning that players using these platforms are unable to play League of Legends. Riot Games has not implemented Vanguard on MacOS, as Apple does not allow the use of such programs.
Privacy concerns
Vanguard is considered one of the most invasive anti-cheat systems, as it installs in the nucleus of the operating system and potentially tracks all user actions. Riot Games, owned by the Chinese Tencent Corporation, has set this system on about 150 million computers worldwide, leading to concerns about data privacy and potential influence from China.
New horizons of cheats
As technology advances, cheaters are finding new ways to bypass protection systems. For example, the MSI monitor uses AI to analyze the screen and provide prompts to the player, allowing them to predict enemy movements. This trend raises questions about future methods of combating cheaters, including the possibility of using webcams to monitor players’ actions.
Personal experiences and doubts
One player who tried to launch League of Legends on Linux reported that after installing Vanguard, the game was stuck in a cycle of restarts. Additionally, his wife, who also plays the game, expressed doubts about the necessity of such an invasive update.
These changes have brought about serious questions regarding the balance between effectively combating cheaters and protecting user privacy. The impact on the gaming community and potential consequences for privacy remain at the forefront of public concern and the League of Legends community.