Welcome to today’s episode where we dive into the ongoing battle against video game hackers, focusing on Riot Games and their advanced anti-cheat system, Vanguard.

For as long as video games have existed, so too have cheaters, evolving from hobbyists to a full-fledged industry. As Phillip Koskinas, Riot's anti-cheat director, puts it, “I was put on this earth for the one singular purpose of banning cheaters from online video games.”

Vanguard operates at the kernel level of operating systems, giving it deep access to monitor and combat these cheats. Thanks to this, Riot reportedly bans thousands of cheaters daily on its game Valorant, resulting in a success rate where less than 1% of ranked games now feature cheaters globally.

Koskinas shared how the team uses a variety of strategies, including leveraging Windows security features and infiltrating cheat communities. He mentioned, “We can just make them look like fools,” which showcases the psychological warfare they engage in against cheat developers.

Interestingly, Koskinas noted that most cheaters fall into two categories: the casual “rage cheaters,” and those using more sophisticated “premium cheats.” The fight against these cheats is ongoing as they continue to evolve, and Koskinas expresses concern about AI potentially transforming cheating strategies.

As we wrap up, Koskinas emphasizes the importance of transparency in their anti-cheat measures, reassuring players that despite the invasive nature of Vanguard, it is crucial for keeping the game fair.

That's it for this episode! Stay tuned for more insights into the gaming world.
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