What you need to know
- Riot Games and Bungie are two developers known for online multiplayer games like Valorant, League of Legends, and Destiny.
- The two companies are teaming up to sue GatorCheats, a cheating-software creator that specializes in cheats to take advantage of online games.
- Cheats are a consistent and constant problem with online multiplayer games, especially competitive titles like Valorant and Destiny 2.
- This isn't the first time companies have gone after cheating-software creators, but it is notable that Riot Games and Bungie are teaming up on this one.
Online multiplayer games represent the largest and most popular section in modern video games, and competitive video games like Valorant and Destiny 2 are especially popular. However, a constant problem with online multiplayer games like the aforementioned titles are cheats, which are pieces of software designed to circumvent the game's systems. This allows players to break the game a little by assisting their aim, viewing enemy stats or equipment, seeing enemies through walls, and more.
Game companies are constantly designing defenses against cheats, but cheating-software companies are always finding ways around them.
According to a new report from Polygon, Riot Games and Bungie (the creators behind Valorant and Destiny 2, respectively) are teaming up to sue a cheating-software creator, GatorCheats. The complaint has been filed in California, and allege that GatorCheats is selling cheats targeting Valorant, Destiny 2, and other games via their website, Discord, email, and Telegram, for prices that range from $90 a month to a one-time $500 payment for lifetime access.
GatorCheats may have made tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to the complaint, and may have caused much more in damages to Riot's and Bungie's games. While GatorCheats has claimed they'll stop selling the software to players, the complaint alleges the company is still selling cheats in private.
A spokesperson for Riot told Polygon the following:
Cheating undermines a game's competitive integrity and erodes community trust. Riot is wholly committed to upholding these values for its players, so when we become aware of a cheat maker, you bet we're going to go after them.
This isn't the first time a company has gone after someone for creating cheats, and it certainly won't be the last. Cheating undermines the value of gaming, and ruins the fun for everyone involved.
If you're looking for ways to stay competitive without resorting to cheats, check out our list for the Best Gaming Mice for PCs and the Best Gaming Keyboards for PC.
