Fighting Online Game Cheating in Hardware

Monk writes "Multiplayer games these days have one problem. Cheating. Cheating is out of control because of failed attempts by software such as Punkbuster, and VALVe's Anti-cheat (VAC). Now it seems that could change change with Intel's own Anti-cheat Software/Hardware."

Solution: The Istrate

[kaufmanmoore]

This handy device fits in a computer's 5.25" inch bay and if it detects cheating a razor sharp knife comes out and relieves the offending player of the little (as is always the case with cheaters) piece of manhood that the loser has left. (Towels to clean up blood not included).

Re:Add the cheats as features to the game

[Cylix]

Because someone would come out with an anti-aim, anti-whatever and turn all of those new features off.

You just can't win with these damned kids.

Yay for Trusted Computing

[Cheesey]

Remember folks, although the remote attestation features of TCPA could be used by online services to force you to use a particular "trusted" application/OS stack, locking you in to a configuration like "IE on Vista", that's not why they are there.

The point of TCPA isn't to enforce DRM or strengthen software monopolies. It's all about things that benefit you, like preventing cheating in online games, and... erm... many other things.

TCPA is a misunderstood technology. The EFF [eff.org], the FSF [fsf.org] and security experts [cam.ac.uk] are just making a knee-jerk reaction to something that they don't understand. Let me explain:

1. TCPA doesn't take away your ability to run whatever software you want. If every online service requires you to use (say) Vista, and uses TCPA to enforce this, you can just opt out of the Internet entirely and carry on running Linux or .*BSD or whatever. It's your choice.

2. TCPA doesn't spy on you, although it might be used to prevent you modifying software that does. But then you can just opt out of using that software. Again, it's your choice.

So, say yes to TCPA! Like atomic bombs and subdermal RFID chips, the technology isn't inherently evil, and it will certainly never be abused to reduce competition in the software marketplace, preventing free software interoperating with online services.

Re:Just one problem?

[cshake]

You forgot another one:

EA

I'd also include 'lack of support for old games' but just saying EA covers that pretty well.
(C&C Generals is what, 4 years old? They don't even have a section on their website for it anymore FFS!)

Custom cheat hardware will become popular

[dlleigh]

Software that compares the input from the hardware with what the game sees? No problem: just make sure that the input comes from the hardware itself, and not from a piece of emulator software.

I built a cheat box for GTA San Andreas soley because I am lazy. The game requires that the player have their character "exercise" in a gym in order to build strength and stamina. I didn't like the idea of abusing my fingers and keyboard by rapidly typing the necessary keyboard combinations, so I buit a box with three big buttons on it that emulates a USB keyboard. It emits the correct key combinations when I press a button. (NB: I didn't use a programmable keyboard because I'm a hardware guy and was playing with USB anyway. I like my form factor better and used actual arcade game buttons for feel and durability.)

Want to run on the treadmill for the maximum allowed time? Press and hold a button. Want to lift heavy weights quickly and repeatedly? Press a different button. Yes, folks, I was cheating at virtual exercise.

It actually gets worse. I got tired of holding the button down, so I set an old disk drive on it. Then I could just sit back and watch my character get buff. This was the ultimate in laziness: I was cheating at cheating at virtual exercise.

Re:WTF????

[Saville]

Well some of us nerds are busy earning money just like you, but we do it by making video games :P

Re:Add the cheats as features to the game

[Saville]

Attempt 1) get shot down
Attempt 2) get shot down
Attempt 3) get stuck in tree and then shot
Attempt 4) get shot down
Attempt 5) get stuck in tree and spend 5 minutes press the 'escape' key then get shot on ground
Attempt 6) get shot down
Attempt 7) kill some nazis then get shot
Attempt 8) get shot down
Attempt 9) get shot down
Attempt 10) get shot down
Attempt 11) get shot down
Attempt 12) be sneakier and kill more nazis then get shot
Attempt 13) download FAQ and type special 'idkfa' cheat and walk around like Rambo and have more fun playing the video game as escapism where you become a hero. You've just had your fill of realism, now you want entertainment. You want to play the role of the top 1% that didn't die or get wounded instead of just another peon.