Enabling AMD Anti-Lag+ in Counter Strike 2 Will Get You Banned

[GFreeman]

With the release of AMD Software Adrenalin drivers version 23.10.1 WHQL, AMD has added Anti-Lag+ support for Counter Strike 2, but it appears that this will only result in a VAC (Valve Anti-Cheat) ban. Apparently, the Anti-Lag+ feature is implemented by detouring engine dll functions, and any tampering with CS code will result in a VAC ban.

Valve was keen to note that once AMD ships an update, it will work on identifying affected users and reversing the ban. Luckily, the Anti-Lag+ technology only works on Radeon RX 7000 series RDNA 3 graphics cards, so it could be a limited number of Counter Strike 2 players. The issue comes as a surprise considering that Anti-Lag+ has already been implemented in various games, including competitive ones like Apex Legends, PUBG: Battlegrounds, Fortnite, and others, and only has issues with Counter Strike 2 and its VAC system. Hopefully, AMD will fix the issue pretty soon and we will keep an eye out for an update.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[tabascosauz]

Uhhhhhhhh yikes? Reflex + boost are natively available as a toggle in CS2 settings, and neither will enabling NULL in NVCP get you banned.

But given that Reflex SDK also requires game support to work, this isn't very surprising from Anti-Lag+ being recent as it is, and surely Valve and AMD will get together to fix this in due time.

 

[Space Lynx]

so many people probably tried this on launch too, wow... glad I don't play multi games, I like having my steam account in good standing

 

[R-T-B]

so many people probably tried this on launch too, wow... glad I don't play multi games, I like having my steam account in good standing

The few multiplayer games I play are cooperative, so really reduces the need for anticheat as cheating in that is just pointless. Otherwise I agree.

 

[Assimilator]

AMD once again proving they do zero testing before they ship things.

 

[Assimilator]

Plus, it is wrong of Valve to VAC ban players for using technologies like these anyways.

No, it's not. Valve has no way of knowing that a random app hotpatching its game DLLs is good or bad. It's up to AMD to tell them, and AMD apparently didn't bother, because apparently AMD is increasingly staffed by muppets.

 

[HisDivineOrder]

AMD really needs to spend money on their software team to make money on their cards, but once again Lisa just doesn't care about the discrete GPU business except in doing the absolute bare minimum to keep Radeon a brand that can sell APU's.

 

[Space Lynx]

me: unwatch thread

me: happier in life

 

[Vya Domus]

Kind of funny, anyway I wonder why the need for such draconic anticheat vs other games, it's not like valve is known for their cheater free games so what even is the point ?

 

[raddeon]

Clearly cs 2 is bugged, they even ban people using windows 7.
I'm using anti lag + and did not get banned, so it looks like it is completely random.

 

[archie_kaos]

I'm glad to joined Team Blue (Intel ARC). This Incident sounds like a bad Joke.

 

[R-T-B]

AMD once again proving they do zero testing before they ship things.

This is more a communication issue than a testing issue. To do something like this, you typically get your driver whitelisted in major anticheats beforehand. AMD aparently forgot to talk to valve, which is... honestly, a pretty major fuck up.

I doubt more testing would catch it because their valve dev account probably has special priviliges such as "No VAC" so they can test things without getting banned.

 

[zlobby]

GabeN, what have you done?

 

[boomstik360]

I played CS2 yesterday for a bit and this is enabled. Interesting!

 

[zlobby]

I'm glad to joined Team Blue (Intel ARC). This Incident sounds like a bad Joke.

Enjoy the FPS, all 4 of them.

 

[Roph]

Clearly cs 2 is bugged, they even ban people using windows 7.
I'm using anti lag + and did not get banned, so it looks like it is completely random.

VAC bans aren't immediate, you should be worried about getting banned.

 

[Daven]

AMD drivers so good, its gets you banned. Lololol!

 

[nikoya]

Oh my.... I installed the new driver and CS2 yesterday evening and was ready to kick-on the game for the first time this morning after breakfast with anti-lag+ on.
gaming weekend with bros saved by TPU !
gonna fall back to the previous driver just in case.

 

[Lew Zealand]

23.10.1 driver download is now missing from AMD's site. I can't imagine why...

Hopefully they get it whitelisted or whatever's needed soon.

 

[mechtech]

Isn't CS2 in 'early acess'?!?!

Seemed like it the first and last day I tried it.

 

[Lew Zealand]

Isn't CS2 in 'early acess'?!?!

Seemed like it the first and last day I tried it.

No, it's been fully released for a week or two now.

 

[raddeon]

VAC bans aren't immediate, you should be worried about getting banned.

Getting banned for having too good of a latency in 4k max settings
Just kidding, I like living dangerously so will report back if I do.

 

[mechtech]

Getting banned for having too good of a latency in 4k max settings
Just kidding, I like living dangerously so will report back if I do.

Is that the updated 'n00bstick' shotty??

 

[qlum]

I would not jump to conclusions here, maybe AMD did talk to Valve about it and things went wrong in the mess that is the CS2 launch.

Maybe the modification is not seen as cheating in other anti cheats.
Or AMD messed up, either way no need to jump to conclusions.

Longer term this will be fixed and AMD's driver level implementation is much easier to deploy on new games. The result of people getting banned is silly, but it is very much a solvable issue.

 

[csendesmark]

No, it's been fully released for a week or two now.

Getting several GB sized updates in a daily basis tells otherwise
Officially it is out, but technically this is public beta.