The Call of Duty RICOCHET Anti-Cheat team announced earlier this month that their newly updated system was capable of detecting "third-party hardware devices that alter the Call of Duty gameplay experience" - this makes reference to a plethora of gaming input modification devices including the Cronus Zen/Max, XIM Apex and FPS Boost Strike Pack. All readily available from direct stores, Amazon and various e-tailers. These hardware modules are hooked up to a gamepad or mouse plus keyboard combination, and allow the user to bypass the legitimate control input detection on the host hardware, be it a games console or PC. Stock scripts and macros can be utilized - for example - to boost in-game aim assist to unprecedented levels, mitigate weapon recoil, and add support for mouse and keyboard in otherwise non-compatible games. Anti-cheat software suites have been unable to detect the extra layer of code, since it runs on an external device - until now.

CoD's security team elaborates on their cheat spotter: "Since our previous progress report, TeamRICOCHET has developed and tested a detection for third-party hardware devices that alter the Call of Duty gameplay experience. These devices act as a passthrough for controllers on PC and console and, when used improperly or maliciously, can provide a player with the ability to gain an unfair gameplay advantage, such as reducing or eliminating recoil. Testing is complete: This detection is deployed globally on all platforms. Users across PC or console who are detected to be using third-party hardware devices to impact the Modern Warfare II or Warzone 2.0 gameplay experience will first see a warning about the improper use of these devices...""Continued improper use of these devices may lead to additional warnings, the deployment of mitigations, account or feature suspensions, or the banning of the offending account across Call of Duty titles, per our Security and Enforcement Policy. We will continue to monitor this new detection's effectiveness and update our systems against further circumvention over time. We know players have been asking us to examine the improper use of these devices and we're happy to lay the foundation for this detection to protect against unfair play across PC and console." It is great that such a high profile company is finally addressing this problem, yet player feedback on the matter stretches back more than a decade ago. These third-party hardware devices are nothing new - early versions crept onto the market during the heyday of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and gained a lot of popularity and adoption throughout the next two console generation lifespans. The massive spike in player populations - mainly engaged in competitive multiplayer first person shooters - has created a demand for any type of product that can provide an advantage in situations where winning is everything.The CoD anti-cheat team's declaration has caused the userbase of Cronus devices to go into a tailspin, PC Gamer reports that former (i.e scared) users are offloading their modules on auction sites, and listings are popping up at an unusually high rate. In reaction to the changes made to CoD, a Cronus Rep has warned its customer base via a message, issued April 9 on the company's Discord discussion group: "We are currently investigating reports that the latest game update includes a detection system that might be able to identify the use of the Cronus Zen. Therefore, we want to remind you that using the Cronus Zen could potentially result in penalties such as a ban or account suspension. It is important to note that the use of Cronus Zen in any game is solely at your own risk. Please be aware of the risks involved and make an informed decision. Thank you for your attention and understanding."Bungie will be joining the fray soon, as detailed in a section of this week's Destiny 2 TWAB - titled "BUNGIE'S STANCE ON THIRD-PARTY PERIPHERALS ENTERING THEIR VILLAIN ARC." The Destiny 2 player base has long complained about cheating issues residing within the cross-play nature of the game's multiplayer ecosystem (e.g Crucible, Trials and Gambit), with modification devices (mostly the Cronus Zen or MAX) being a hot topic of debate. A community spokesperson details forthcoming changes with regards to hardware cheats: "Bungie embraces the use of external accessibility aids that enable an experience the game designers intended but will take action, including bans, on people who abuse these tools specifically to gain an advantage over other players. "External accessibility aides" are any device or input that augments the player's ability to control the game beyond what the game itself normally provides. This includes, but is not limited to, programmable controllers, keyboard and mouse adapters, advanced macros, or automation via artificial intelligence. This does not include features that Bungie provides. For more information on how Bungie supports accessibility, check out our goals outlined by Accessibility at Bungie right here."

They continue to explain: "Experience the game designers intended" means that content meant to be difficult or prestige is designed like that for a reason. We do not intend for difficulty to be automated away via software or hardware. Therefore, simply using an accessibility aide to play Destiny 2, where a player could not play otherwise, would not be a violation of this policy. Using these tools to mitigate challenges all players face, such as reducing recoil or increasing aim assist, would be a violation. "Gain an advantage" means used for the purpose, directly or indirectly, of achieving victory. For example, some players that abuse these tools rise in PvP ranks at a rate far beyond what is expected for a player improving through typical play. Because the benefits of cheating in PvE can affect things like the World First Race or even spill over into PvP, we will be evaluating all gameplay for violations. We will be monitoring for violations of the policy and issuing warnings, restrictions and/or bans appropriately. This has been a matter of extended conversations both internally and in the community, and we want to strike the right balance between Bungie's goal of simultaneously enabling everyone to enjoy our games and protecting our community."As was written earlier, it is great that a crackdown on this type of hardware is actually going through, but it has taken a while to reach this point. Multiplayer games developers have already had their hands full when dealing with more traditional (software-based) cheat methods. Cheaters have been very happy to sign up for expensive subscription services where exploits are updated on a regular basis, in order to circumvent the latest security measures. A one-off payment of $120 for a Cronus device is relatively good value for money, but it could be worth close to zero after an industry-wide effort clamps down hard on multiplayer cheat providers - be it in software or hardware form. This week Ubisoft has implemented new measures into Rainbow Six via the Y8S1.2 patch - where users of so called "input spoofing devices" will be exposed to a buildup of latency.