Doping & Cheating
Chinese Authorities Dismantle Major VALORANT Cheat Operation
Chinese authorities, in a collaborative effort with Tencent, have successfully dismantled a major VALORANT cheats distribution operation, marking a significant stride against the pervasive issue of cheating in eSports. This crackdown, which culminated in the arrest of 10 individuals involved in the development and sale of illicit cheats, is notably the country’s first “AI cheat case” and has been hailed as a landmark victory in the fight against online gaming cheats.
The Operation: A Meticulous Crackdown
The journey to this major bust began in mid-August when the Yujiang Public Security Network Security Brigade identified suspicious online activities linked to the illegal creation and sale of game “plug-ins”. After a thorough investigation, raids were conducted across various locations, including Zhejiang and Chongqing, on 15 September. The operation resulted in the apprehension of two plug-in program authors and eight agents, with authorities seizing substantial evidence, including 17 computers, 11 mobile phones, plug-in source codes, and hardware associated with the production of these illegal plug-ins.
Financial Scale and Impact
The operation uncovered transactions amounting to over CNY 30 million (approximately USD4.1 million), revealing the substantial financial scale of the illicit operation. Local media channels in China have dubbed the news: “China’s first AI Cheat Case Solved!” highlighting the significance and impact of the operation on the eSports community.
Riot Games’ Gratitude and Commitment
Riot Games, the developer behind VALORANT, expressed their gratitude to Yujiang Public Security on Weibo, emphasizing the importance of this operation. It marks the first criminal case in China targeting the production and sale of “AI game plug-ins.” Riot Games remains committed to ensuring a fair gaming environment and will actively fight against cheating and any actions that degrade the player experience.
The Evolving Nature of Cheats
Interestingly, the “product” is referred to as an AI Plugin, described as able to simulate the real operation of players, and does not require access to internal data in the game, thus possessing the characteristic of stronger concealment. This indicates that cheating software is evolving, using zero game data to run, making it impossible to detect by traditional means or by data scraping.
A Crucial Step for the Integrity of Competitive Gaming
As the eSports community continues to burgeon, such collaborative efforts between game developers and law enforcement agencies are pivotal in maintaining the integrity of competitive gaming. This incident is reminiscent of the 2018 crackdown on cheat developers for PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and the severe legal consequences faced by South Korean Overwatch hackers the same year.
Conclusion: A Warning to Cheaters
The fate of the recently arrested VALORANT cheat developers remains uncertain. However, this operation sends a clear and potent message to those involved in the creation and distribution of cheating software: that collaborative efforts between tech giants and law enforcement can and will root out such illicit activities, safeguarding the integrity and fairness of the eSports community.
This incident underscores the importance of continuous vigilance and collaboration between game developers, players, and authorities to ensure that eSports can be enjoyed by all in a fair and equitable environment. The fight against cheating in eSports continues, and this operation marks a significant victory in that ongoing battle.
Source of information and photo: Weibo
