Anti-cheat crackdown: What PC gamers need to know on Call of Duty: Black Ops 7

Activision has announced an array of new anti-cheat measures for its upcoming title, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, as it approaches its beta testing phase. In a recent blog update, the gaming giant revealed that it has engineered what it calls the most sophisticated anti-cheat system to date. At the heart of this initiative are significant enhancements to Ricochet, Activision's proprietary anti-cheat technology, designed to improve the detection of unauthorized tools and uphold competitive integrity. To participate in the beta, PC players must activate TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, requirements that echo those implemented during the Battlefield 6 beta. These measures aim to significantly reduce the likelihood of unauthorized software disrupting the gaming experience. Activision emphasized that these steps are essential for safeguarding competitive play and deterring common hacking techniques. Players with older machines or custom-built PCs might need to upgrade their firmware or obtain a discrete TPM module to meet these security standards, so it is advisable to verify hardware compatibility before engaging in the upcoming tests. Upon the game's official launch on November 14, Activision is expected to introduce an additional layer of security known as Remote Attestation. This system will enable servers to verify that a player's machine is in a secure state, flagging any irregularities for further scrutiny. The combination of Secure Boot requirements, Ricochet enhancements, and Remote Attestation marks Activision's most thorough strategy yet in combating cheating. The company also stated that it will continue to refine its anti-cheat capabilities based on data and player feedback gathered during the beta phase. The Black Ops 7 beta commenced on October 2, featuring three days of early access for pre-order customers, followed by open testing from October 5 to October 8. The beta was available on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms, paving the way for the full release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 on November 14 across multiple gaming systems including PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.