Tuesday, November 29th 2016
Watch Dogs 2 Uses EasyAntiCheat - Monitors Systems, Potentially Prevents Modding
Watch Dogs 2 has recently made its debut, encountering both critical acclaim and inversely proportional sales - at least for now. The game features a living open world, achieving what the original promised but never delivered, with both single-player and multi-player modes being praised by their quality.
And when there is a semblance of multiplayer, there must also be an anti-cheating mechanism. Watch Dogs 2 makes use of EasyAntiCheat, which has, embedded in its TOS - and even on its features page - a field that claims "Client data analysis to identify anomalies in the game process runtime" is used to enforce it anti-cheat detection mechanisms. What it basically means is that EasyAntiCheat installs a driver in kernel mode and a service that monitors your systems' operating files (when Watch Dogs 2 is running). This mechanism is also running even when you're in single-player-only - and even offline - modes, meaning that you're not getting out of its crosshairs no matter how you are playing the game. The addition of file-integrity checks at the start of the game, so as to detect any changes to the games' files also precludes modding, with some injection-type modding also finding troubles in being able to access the game, due to it checking game memory and system memory as well. Popular applications such as Afterburner and OBS have their overlay and recording capabilities disabled, and Cheat Engine is also not working - though that just means EasyAntiCheat is doing its job.
It needs to be said EasyAntiCheat is a legit anti-hacking, anti-cheating software, though - it's been used in eSports (such as Counter Strike, Warface, and others) for years, and professionals willingly submit themselves to this kind of constraints and TOS in an environment that is, understandably, controlled (and apparently, only in this kind of environments - and Counter Strike ones in particular - does the application take and upload screenshots, at the behest of the organizing party). But it seems that this anti-cheat mechanism is operating even in single-player offline mode, which simply removes from the player the ability to maintain his desired privacy. There should always be an option not to agree with the installation of this kind of applications, even if that were to mean no access to multi-player modes. I, for one, would make that trade willingly.
This looks like a possible way for Ubisoft to protect its monetizing programs with in-game purchases, which abound in Watch Dogs 2 - a way to prevent players from using exploits in the game that could harm the sales of in-game items.
Update Dec 2nd: For a way to disable EasyAntiCheat in Watch_Dogs 2, see this article.
And when there is a semblance of multiplayer, there must also be an anti-cheating mechanism. Watch Dogs 2 makes use of EasyAntiCheat, which has, embedded in its TOS - and even on its features page - a field that claims "Client data analysis to identify anomalies in the game process runtime" is used to enforce it anti-cheat detection mechanisms. What it basically means is that EasyAntiCheat installs a driver in kernel mode and a service that monitors your systems' operating files (when Watch Dogs 2 is running). This mechanism is also running even when you're in single-player-only - and even offline - modes, meaning that you're not getting out of its crosshairs no matter how you are playing the game. The addition of file-integrity checks at the start of the game, so as to detect any changes to the games' files also precludes modding, with some injection-type modding also finding troubles in being able to access the game, due to it checking game memory and system memory as well. Popular applications such as Afterburner and OBS have their overlay and recording capabilities disabled, and Cheat Engine is also not working - though that just means EasyAntiCheat is doing its job.
EasyAntiCheat TOS:The EasyAntiCheat TOS, as you can see, does a pretty good job of exculpating the company, by making it loud and clear (as loud and clear can be when you're talking about TOS that no-one-reads-but-definitely-should) what the application does. Of course, that also means that unless you're privy to bypassing this kind of mechanisms, you have no way of saying "No" to these other than not playing the game.
1. EasyAntiCheat is not compatible with any anti-cheat programs other than VAC, therefore you must not run EasyAntiCheat if you wish to play with any other anti-cheat at the same time. The user is fully responsible in case his/her game account or cdkey gets banned or refused by the game, EasyAntiCheat or any other anti-cheat.
2. EasyAntiCheat finds game cheats by scanning games' memory, the system memory and verifying original game files on disk to ensure they have not been modified. Only games' folders (and subfolders) are verified to contain original game data. EasyAntiCheat may replace or remove permanently any modified or custom game files found in games' folders (and subfolders). The use of any custom models, textures, sprites or other modified game files may lead to permanent ban if they can be considered to give the player an unfair advantage over other players.
3. EasyAntiCheat will take screenshots of your game screen and upload them on public servers, viewable to everyone, if the server provider wishes so. The author of this software and EasyAntiCheat takes no responsibility of screenshots captured outside the game screen. If any personal or harmful information is captured into a screenshot, the user is fully responsible of the happened incident and any consequences it may result in. (In case this happens to you, please inform your server provider to remove unwanted screenshots from the server.)
4. EasyAntiCheat will scan system registry to detect forbidden modifications, settings or other features enabled to the game or graphic card drivers.
It needs to be said EasyAntiCheat is a legit anti-hacking, anti-cheating software, though - it's been used in eSports (such as Counter Strike, Warface, and others) for years, and professionals willingly submit themselves to this kind of constraints and TOS in an environment that is, understandably, controlled (and apparently, only in this kind of environments - and Counter Strike ones in particular - does the application take and upload screenshots, at the behest of the organizing party). But it seems that this anti-cheat mechanism is operating even in single-player offline mode, which simply removes from the player the ability to maintain his desired privacy. There should always be an option not to agree with the installation of this kind of applications, even if that were to mean no access to multi-player modes. I, for one, would make that trade willingly.
This looks like a possible way for Ubisoft to protect its monetizing programs with in-game purchases, which abound in Watch Dogs 2 - a way to prevent players from using exploits in the game that could harm the sales of in-game items.
Update Dec 2nd: For a way to disable EasyAntiCheat in Watch_Dogs 2, see this article.
44 Comments on Watch Dogs 2 Uses EasyAntiCheat - Monitors Systems, Potentially Prevents Modding
Companies are of course entitled to let us play the way they want (as we're entitled to pass on titles that don't play the way we want), but screwing with the OS because some EULA nobody reads says it's ok, is crossing so many lines...
"We only handle data relevant to the identification of cheats, as found in the Unit's runtime memory during online play or as collected by the game server. Other than that, we do not store any data on individual users and have no intent to ever do so. There are three steps in how session specific data is stored and processed."
www.easyanticheat.net/privacy/
Also it appears it would only be Ubisoft spying on you as
"we do offer the possibility for uploading in–game screenshots to the organiser's servers. Note that those screenshots will never touch our servers. In order to participate in such tournaments you need to agree with the organiser's EULA, EasyAntiCheat is not responsible for the data in any way. In these cases, the EULA is fundamentally different from the one typically used by EasyAntiCheat's integrated games"
As this only takes in-game screenshots, only during tournaments and only by request of the organizer
Anyways, punkbuster does the same, and punkbuster runs 24/7 not just when you're in game, I'm sure you've All used PunkBuster at one point, or still use it [Mainly battlefield]
"Licensee acknowledges that PunkBuster software is optional and is not a requirement in any respect for using or enjoying games that integrate PunkBuster software technology. Licensee also acknowledges and agrees that PunkBuster software is self-updating, which means that future updates will, from time to time and without any notice, automatically be downloaded and installed as a normal and expected function of PunkBuster software. Licensee further acknowledges and accepts that PunkBuster software may be considered invasive. Licensee understands that PunkBuster software inspects and reports information about the computer on which it is installed to other connected computers and Licensee agrees to allow PunkBuster software to inspect and report such information about the computer on which Licensee installs PunkBuster software. Licensee understands and agrees that the information that may be inspected and reported by PunkBuster software includes, but is not limited to, Licensee's Internet Protocol Address, devices and any files residing on the hard-drive and in the memory of the computer on which PunkBuster software is installed. Licensee acknowledges and agrees that if Licensee does not want Licensor to collect and process such information, Licensee should not use the PunkBuster software. Further, Licensee consents to allow PunkBuster software to transfer actual screenshots taken of Licensee�s computer during the operation of PunkBuster software for possible publication. Licensee understands that the purpose and goal of PunkBuster is to ensure a cheat-free environment for all participants in online games. Licensee agrees that the invasive nature of PunkBuster software is necessary to meet this purpose and goal. Licensee agrees that any harm or lack of privacy resulting from the installation and use of PunkBuster software is not as valuable to Licensee as the potential ability to play interactive online games with the benefits afforded by using PunkBuster software."
This system shows the total disrespect for loyal players and this kind of thing is only needed if there is weak game design.
All this means is that I will recommend that anyone NOT to buy this game. Just say no!
some cs:go leagues use it and its as effective as a bugzapper with no lightbulb
As a result, RTSS, Steam, and anything else will be able to run.
Also, a bunch of us from Guru3D emailed EAC and got a response back saying they are working on updating their internal whitelist. THey gave a time-frame of "by the next game update". For anyone wanting to read more, see the comments: www.guru3d.com/news-story/update-watch-dogs-2-anti-cheat-system-blocks-rtss-overlay-software.html
Thanks for the update!
What it does is display as little or as much info as you want about your GPU and system onto the screen as you want.
It allows you to monitor GPU temperature, GPU usage, GPU fan speed, CPU usage, VRAM usage, RAM usage.
These are all nice things to have on the screen, especially as games push our equipment even harder, we don't want to overheat. At least if we see a problem with RTSS up, we can stop the game to figure out what is wrong. Not having it available in a new game can be a problem.
It's all good.