5 ms·

This is an arms race that game developers won't win, it's just whack-a-mole. They should invest instead in server-side models for detecting cheating, then it c

by jpgvm 5y ago

This is an arms race that game developers won't win, it's just whack-a-mole. They should invest instead in server-side models for detecting cheating, then it can't be circumvented and you don't need to bother learning all the different ways they can produce inhuman inputs.

Thaxll 5y ago
"They should invest instead in server-side models for detecting cheating" Which is already the case and can't work for all use cases. how the server knows that you see behind walls exactly? And ML / heuristic stuff is very limited as well. Detecting cheating, client or server side is very complicated and not even close to be a solved problem.
- DizzyDoo 5y ago
  I once had an unusually good match in a popular FPS game, triggered some statistical tripwire, and received an automatic ban for 48 hours. "Just in case". Streamers and pro-players often have their accounts whitelisted from this system, because it would be laughable to happen publicly and show off just how 'security theater' it truly is.
  - KennyBlanken 5y ago
    Streamers and pros use cheats. Google "streamer caught cheating" and there's page after page of news items about people cheating even in tournaments, while streaming. They're "whitelisted" because the game benefits from streamers who look like they're great at the game, and because competition for pro players is actually fairly stiff (in part because there aren't many pro players, because it's so hard to make money at it...but also because being competitive at a game usually means dedicating your training and play time to that game.) Aim fatigue is a problem for pro players and it usually sets in around an hour or two...so when you see a streamer playing really well hour after hour, they're almost certainly employing some level of cheating. It might be really subtle, they might only 'flip it on' when they really have to. But it's there, and at 30-60fps and stream compression it can be really hard to spot even if you're a seasoned player in the game.
optimiz3 5y ago
Still, I think it's worthwhile research and engineering to attempt. Technology and techniques developed can likely be used to secure other types of systems.
endtype 5y ago
Most cheats replicate things humans can do. They correct issues people have with their aim or reaction times. Inhuman inputs are a thing of the past. Kids these days can do some pretty wild stuff at high levels of play.

by jpgvm 5y ago

Thaxll 5y ago

"They should invest instead in server-side models for detecting cheating" Which is already the case and can't work for all use cases. how the server knows that you see behind walls exactly? And ML / heuristic stuff is very limited as well. Detecting cheating, client or server side is very complicated and not even close to be a solved problem.

DizzyDoo 5y ago
I once had an unusually good match in a popular FPS game, triggered some statistical tripwire, and received an automatic ban for 48 hours. "Just in case". Streamers and pro-players often have their accounts whitelisted from this system, because it would be laughable to happen publicly and show off just how 'security theater' it truly is.
- KennyBlanken 5y ago
  Streamers and pros use cheats. Google "streamer caught cheating" and there's page after page of news items about people cheating even in tournaments, while streaming. They're "whitelisted" because the game benefits from streamers who look like they're great at the game, and because competition for pro players is actually fairly stiff (in part because there aren't many pro players, because it's so hard to make money at it...but also because being competitive at a game usually means dedicating your training and play time to that game.) Aim fatigue is a problem for pro players and it usually sets in around an hour or two...so when you see a streamer playing really well hour after hour, they're almost certainly employing some level of cheating. It might be really subtle, they might only 'flip it on' when they really have to. But it's there, and at 30-60fps and stream compression it can be really hard to spot even if you're a seasoned player in the game.

optimiz3 5y ago

Still, I think it's worthwhile research and engineering to attempt. Technology and techniques developed can likely be used to secure other types of systems.

endtype 5y ago

Most cheats replicate things humans can do. They correct issues people have with their aim or reaction times. Inhuman inputs are a thing of the past. Kids these days can do some pretty wild stuff at high levels of play.