Syed Asad is crypto content specialist at web3 game studio Orbit Cosmos.
Cheating in online games is becoming a bigger problem that really undermines fair play. A recent example is Activision, the company behind Call of Duty, banning 27,000 accounts for cheating, which shows just how serious this issue is.
While traditional anti-cheat systems, like the wide-scale bans Activision used, have had some success, they often fall short against more sophisticated cheaters. That’s where blockchain technology comes in. With its decentralized and tamper-proof features, blockchain could offer a promising solution.
This write-up explains how blockchain can help prevent cheating in games, highlighting some real-world examples of its use in the gaming industry.Â
Traceability and community monitoring
With blockchain, every in-game action – from purchases to leveling up – becomes traceable, allowing developers to easily audit any suspicious behavior.Â
For instance, if a player exploits a glitch or uses outside software to cheat, those actions leave an unchangeable trail of evidence. In popular games like Fortnite, cheating incidents can be traced back to specific accounts, making it easier for developers to take targeted action against offenders and keep the playing field fair.
Empowering the community is also key. Games like MixMob encourage players to actively monitor and report cheaters, creating a vigilant gaming environment. Since all actions are recorded on the blockchain, community reports can be quickly verified, similar to how platforms like Reddit use user feedback to maintain community standards.
Decentralized governance
When players feel a sense of ownership, they’re more likely to follow the rules, especially if they’ve helped create them. The upcoming web3 mafia game OMERTA showcases this with its unique governance model, which will allow players to vote on in-game policies through a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO).
This participatory approach of the OMERTA game will be supported by a Proof-of-Governance (PoG) mechanism that lets players qualify as validators based on their contributions. Just as League of Legends takes player feedback into account to shape community standards, OMERTA aims to empower its players.Â
Reducing cheating through decentralized consensus
Blockchain’s decentralized consensus mechanism means that all players must agree on the game’s current state before any changes can happen. Developers can set up specific anti-cheat protocols, like the Tashi Consensus Protocol, to ensure that game states are only updated with the agreement of all players.Â
This way, no single player can manipulate game data for their advantage, effectively deterring cheating methods like speed hacks or item duplication that have plagued titles like Call of Duty.
Smart contracts for automatic rule enforcement
Smart contracts add an automated layer to rule enforcement. If a player’s actions break the game’s rules, the smart contract can automatically flag or reject those actions, stopping any negative impact on the game.Â
For example, in World of Warcraft, a smart contract could identify and block the use of hacked items, similar to current systems that monitor in-game behaviour for unauthorized changes, providing real-time safeguards against cheating.
Reputation tracking and incentives for honest behavior
Blockchain allows each player to have a unique tokenized identity tied to their actions and reputation. Players who consistently play fair can earn rewards or unlock special perks, while those caught cheating face penalties that limit their gameplay.
If a player’s actions break the game’s rules, the smart contract can automatically flag or reject those actions.
Syed Asad, Orbit Cosmos
A blockchain-based registry could track known cheaters across different games, preventing banned players from simply creating new accounts. This strategy is similar to how Riot Games gathers data on cheaters across its titles, ensuring that all players are held accountable.
Plus, by offering incentives for good behaviour – like in-game rewards or tokens – developers can help create a culture of fairness that transforms the gaming landscape.
Real-time monitoring and adaptive anti-cheat systems
Blockchain enables real-time monitoring, where each player’s status is constantly compared to the verified consensus state. Any discrepancies – like sudden jumps in health or score – trigger alerts, allowing for immediate action to address manipulation.
Valorant uses a similar method, where irregularities in player stats lead to quick investigations, keeping the competitive atmosphere fair.
Additionally, by leveraging blockchain data, developers can create adaptive anti-cheat systems that react dynamically to suspicious patterns, facilitating prompt investigations into unlikely scores or behaviours. These systems can even learn from past incidents, just like machine learning algorithms used in fraud detection, further enhancing the integrity of the gaming experience.
Final thoughts
While blockchain by itself might not be the whole answer, when combined with effective tools like Riot Games’ Vanguard system, it can really boost security. Plus, bringing blockchain technology together with traditional anti-cheat systems creates a game-changing opportunity for the gaming industry.Â
With the online games market expected to hit 1.2 billion users by 2027, it’s significant for game developers to focus on making the gaming landscape better for real players who appreciate authentic experiences. In this light, blockchain games are in a great position to stand alongside industry giants, paving the way for a fairer gaming future.
